Renting and not giving keys to landlord

BlackDragon

BlackDragon

BlackDragon

Soldato
Joined
9 Jun 2006
Posts
2,642
Hi,

We're renting a flat and we changed the locks at one point and we'd rather not give a set of keys to the estate agent that manages the flat on behalf of the landlord.

As far as I've read online this is perfectly legal to change the locks and not have to give a spare set to anyone else. These pages were written a few years ago so I'm wondering if this is still correct?

We also have the estate agent pestering us to get in at short notice to fix something that is an emergency, when they've already been let in twice and said it wasn't a problem with our flat. Not to mention this emergency has been dragging on for well over a week.
 
BlackDragon said:
Hi,

We're renting a flat and we changed the locks at one point and we'd rather not give a set of keys to the estate agent that manages the flat on behalf of the landlord.
.
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Why not? Like beerbaron says I'd be prepared to receive termination notice pretty swiftly!
 
Any landlord will become uncomfortable that you've changed the locks. Whilst it might be perfectly legal what would happen if you went away and your flat started leaking into the flat below. That is the landlords responsibility and you could be facing a bill from a locksmith to break in. What's the problem with the agency having a set of keys as long as they adhere to the notice periods.
 
you need to let the agent in to deal with things... so if you're not going to give them a set of keys you might have to put up with them making requests for access and you having to ensure you're in that day to let them in whether you think it is an 'emergency' or not - they can give 24 hours notice to get access if they need to

but yeah, you have possession so you don't have to give them a set of keys
 
It very much depends on your contract, rather than any law.
Does your contract prohibit changing the locks or if you do require keys to be handed over. Most contracts do these days.

You also have to let them in to fix things, or you can be charged fir increased damaged, don't let them in to fix mold at an early stage for example, you can then be held responsible for it and the increased damaged caused by not treating it.
 
I hate it too, but you have to give them a key. Stand firm on the agent being a **** though and wanting to get in, they're just a waste of space and don't deserve the time of day.
 
If you do this then you can start looking fr a new place t live and probably the cost of getting the locks changed again.

They need a key for very important reasons and you will be legally responsible if your actions have prevent remedying a situation. E.g., flat leaks to the apartment below, you have blocked entry by changing the locks delaying things. Now you start paying for the neighbors repairs.

An incredibly selfish and foolish thing to do.
 
I usually try arrange to be at home when the landlord visits. I don't change the locks but make it clear that I don't want him entering the house when I am not there. All you can do realy as even that won't stop them if they realy want to go in and snoop around.
 
I'd be 99% confident you have already breached your contract, so I'd be cautious about peeing them off any further.

As a tenant in the UK you have a shed load if rights and lots of things in your favour, but by willingly breaching your contract you have thrown them all out the window and now don't have a leg to stand on.
 
anything I don't mind said:
I usually try arrange to be at home when the landlord visits. I don't change the locks but make it clear that I don't want him entering the house when I am not there. All you can do realy as even that won't stop them if they realy want to go in and snoop around.
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Well it would, because entering the property without your consent is illegal.
 
Glaucus said:
It very much depends on your contract, rather than any law.
Does your contract prohibit changing the locks or if you do require keys to be handed over. Most contracts do these days.

You also have to let them in to fix things, or you can be charged fir increased damaged, don't let them in to fix mold at an early stage for example, you can then be held responsible for it and the increased damaged caused by not treating it.
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The contract cannot over-rule basic rights, even if both parties originally agree in principle.

Basher said:
I wouldn't be too comfortable if I was a landlord, no matter what the law says.
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Landlord can shove it... it's their home while they are paying his mortgage for him.

I despise this structure of housing... one person profiting of the hard work of another while doing practically nothing.

Arthur Hucksake said:
Unfortunately, when you rent a place it will never be your own regardless of how homely it might feel to you. Way of the world.

Gonna have to hand over a key.
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Way of the world? Cop out response... change it... such behaviour is a relatively recent phenomena
 
crinkleshoes said:
The contract cannot over-rule basic rights, even if both parties originally agree in principle.



Landlord can shove it... it's their home while they are paying his mortgage for him.

I despise this structure of housing... one person profiting of the hard work of another while doing practically nothing.



Way of the world? Cop out response... change it... such behaviour is a relatively recent phenomena
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^^ fair chip on your shoulder there :rolleyes:

By the way do you drive a BMW as you've got the badge in your sig? Just wondering why you'd choose that over a ford fiesta 1.1? or is that how you prefer to spend your cash rather than 'invest' in property as landlords tend to do?
 
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