Flat mate lost key landlord wants to replace locks?

Snookums

Snookums

Snookums

Soldato
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One of my house mates has lost their key to the house and the landlord is saying that the locks need to be changed, I can see why and this is the clause in the contract that states so; "1.43.4 Return all keys to the Landlords and pay reasonable costs of having new locks fitted and new keys cut in the event that not all keys are returned to the Landlords)." guessing there is no way of avoiding the whole lock replacement.

My biggest question is how much would it cost to change the locks on two front doors? Also would you offer to split the cost or take it out of her share of the deposit?
 
Exact same has happened to me and my housemates. Our plan was to get a new key cut that looks identical to the key that was lost and claim it was never lost. Will update with results. :p
 
Snookums said:
One of my house mates has lost their key to the house and the landlord is saying that the locks need to be changed, I can see why and this is the clause in the contract that states so; "1.43.4 Return all keys to the Landlords and pay reasonable costs of having new locks fitted and new keys cut in the event that not all keys are returned to the Landlords)." guessing there is no way of avoiding the whole lock replacement.

My biggest question is how much would it cost to change the locks on two front doors? Also would you offer to split the cost or take it out of her share of the deposit?
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Go to any local window installer and get the barrels yourself, they take ten minutes to fit and should be around a tenner each. They'll come with three new keys.

Youtube how to remove and replace them, it's usually a couple of screws that hold the handle onto the door then a screw holding the barrel in place.

Be sure to measure the ones that come out, the centres are often offset too. If in doubt take one with you ;-)
 
I already tried that one. The keys had an engraving on them and couldn't find anywhere to get the identical key. Landlord already knows its long and gone.

Somehow being in a student house I don't think I will be allowed to change them myself.
 
They lost the key, ergo they should pay 100% of the costs involved in changing the locks and getting new keys cut. Why should everyone else be made to pay for their incompetence?
 
Yeah true. Was kind of thinking of it as shared responsibility but it's not at all. Any idea the cost for a locksmith to come out and change two locks? Before my landlord tries to charge extortionate amounts?
 
Snookums said:
Any idea the cost for a locksmith to come out and change two locks? Before my landlord tries to charge extortionate amounts?
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About £50-80 according to this page on locksmiths.co.uk, assuming done during normal hours. So I'd question anything over £100.

I wouldn't pay any of it either, you didn't lose the keys the other person did.
 
Snookums said:
Yeah true. Was kind of thinking of it as shared responsibility but it's not at all. Any idea the cost for a locksmith to come out and change two locks? Before my landlord tries to charge extortionate amounts?
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That depends on whether you have individual tenancy contracts or a shared contract with all your names on it.

Shared contract, it's all of your problem (as far as LL is concerned)
 
Snookums said:
Somehow being in a student house I don't think I will be allowed to change them myself.
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why not, just change them yourself - no one is going to physically stop you - inform the landlord you've changed them yourself with the same type (or very similar) lock and send him the required number of spare keys + hand over the required keys at the end of the contract.

whats he going to do about it - hold onto part of your deposit because you've fixed something? Rather easy to dispute.

Changing a lock is straightforwards, the biggest cost here is getting some tradesperson out to do it, do it yourself and you eliminate that.

Yes the person who lost the key should pay for the new locks and new keys, it shouldn't cost much though.
 
If its a regular yale type barrel do it yourself for a few quid.
if its some poxy high security thimg prepare your anus for a landlord enduced, cash hemmorage
 
What you should have said, is lost the key whilst abroad.

They might be look more favourably on getting a new security key cut if they know the old key is safe.
 
bledd. said:
What you should have said, is lost the key whilst abroad.
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Or accidentally dropped it down a drain.

Pretty sure they'd assume you were just trying it on though and insist on getting a 'free' new set of locks while they can.
 
Efour said:
If its a regular yale type barrel do it yourself for a few quid.
if its some poxy high security thimg prepare your anus for a landlord enduced, cash hemmorage
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I doubt I would be happy accepting a changed lock from a tenant.
Who knows how many extra keys have been cut?
I assume this would be the reason the landlord would want to change them himself, or someone on his behalf - depending of course if it is a security type lock that can't just be cut anywhere.
 
b0rn2sk8 said:
Just change them yourself as other have said.

As long as you replace them with a like for like the landlord has no comeback.
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The clause states:
"1.43.4 Return all keys to the Landlords and pay reasonable costs of having new locks fitted and new keys cut in the event that not all keys are returned to the Landlords."

So giving him a completely different set of keys when the ones he issued were engraved is unlikely to fly. He will have plenty of comeback.
 
flat mate that lost the key owes all money owed to the landlord because of it,
if you trashed your room how do you think the other house mates would feel if you said they all owe an equal share of the repairs?...
you'd get a kicking, and rightfully so :)
 
Hikari Kisugi said:
The clause states:
"1.43.4 Return all keys to the Landlords and pay reasonable costs of having new locks fitted and new keys cut in the event that not all keys are returned to the Landlords."

So giving him a completely different set of keys when the ones he issued were engraved is unlikely to fly. He will have plenty of comeback.
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no he won't, you pay for a new lock, get new keys cut... problem solved - he's got no comeback
 
dowie said:
no he won't, you pay for a new lock, get new keys cut... problem solved - he's got no comeback
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As a landlord i'd have every comeback knowing that I had no control over the security of my property.

While it would be foolish to assume you ever have complete security we've got all our keys cut using "do not duplicate" blanks.

I'll admit that only through doing this for 10 years that it probably helps that we've got costs outlined in our tenancy packs that show upfront the costs for duplicate keys (if justifiable) and complete lock replacement (showing the lowest quote from a local company) that means tenants have the opportunity to compare for themselves and see that it's of no benefit to go elsewhere.

Not everyone is as fortunate to have landlords that take the time to learn so much from experience though so definitely get your own quote to compare and dispute against if required.

The costs should come off your deposit that should be held by a tenancy deposit scheme and thus act impartially if you have any problems - but ultimately I agree that there should be costs that should be covered by the tenants.
 
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