Landlord wants £36.40 for two keys!
Discussion
I own a flat in a block, leasehold and unfortunately the managing agents are in my opinion not particulary good...
We reported at our AGM 6 weeks ago that the lock on the front door was on the verge of seizing, and last week, it finally did.
Sent an email to them on Wednesday night, got an email back on Thursday saying a locksmith would over the have a look on Monday, kicked up a stick and the upshot was, new lock was fitted on Saturday morning.
We were provided with two keys, and when the mrs took the keys to a local locksmith, he advised that they were specialist high security keys that he could not cut.
Contacted the manaaging agent who said that all new keys had to be supplied by him, and the two I wanted could be supplied at £36.40.
Dont think I am being un reasonable, 1) we did not ask for high security locks, there was nothing wrong with the old type, 2) what is the point in putting high secuity locks in a glass door!
Does this seem like a reasonable amount for a "High security key" I will try to post a picture of the key later.
We reported at our AGM 6 weeks ago that the lock on the front door was on the verge of seizing, and last week, it finally did.
Sent an email to them on Wednesday night, got an email back on Thursday saying a locksmith would over the have a look on Monday, kicked up a stick and the upshot was, new lock was fitted on Saturday morning.
We were provided with two keys, and when the mrs took the keys to a local locksmith, he advised that they were specialist high security keys that he could not cut.
Contacted the manaaging agent who said that all new keys had to be supplied by him, and the two I wanted could be supplied at £36.40.
Dont think I am being un reasonable, 1) we did not ask for high security locks, there was nothing wrong with the old type, 2) what is the point in putting high secuity locks in a glass door!
Does this seem like a reasonable amount for a "High security key" I will try to post a picture of the key later.
dibbers006 said:
From the Landlords point of view:
You broke the lock
You demanded it be fixed of a weekend
You then want extra keys cut
I can see your plight but I think it's bite the bullet
Lock was seized, had been getting worse and worse, was reported at the AGM six weeks earlier, when the landward was chased two weeks later, he was "in the process of getting keys cut", I "demanded" it be fixed at a weekend, because I could not get entry to the block that I live in.You broke the lock
You demanded it be fixed of a weekend
You then want extra keys cut
I can see your plight but I think it's bite the bullet
The front door is glass, the security lock is complete overkill, if anyone wanted to gain entry to the block, all they would need to do is smash the glass and open the door from the outside.
A yale lock has been quite sufficient for the last 20 years, and we certainly did not ask him to upgrade it.
dibbers006 said:
I'm just trying to point out from his point of view (he is unlikely to give a flying)
What are you hoping to occur?
He has given you one key presumably so isn't really under much obligation to resolve any further issue with his own cash.
Get a better Landlord who cares (maybe your property is 'managed' by more people who don't care about the tenants)
I am sympathetic to your plight... I have had loose bricks and a broken fence for months, of which I have fixed the f
kers a couple of times already. But its not like I can MAKE them do anything really... not without more bother than it's worth.
Don't forget you may be able to sell the keys on to the next tenants?
I know, unfortunately, we are being royally screwed by our landlord / managing agent... what is annoying is, we brought up the issue of the seized lock at the AGM, he had a golden opportunuity to bring up the "upgrade" then, but chose not to... he unfortunately has us over a barrel, he is citing "increased security" as the reason for the upgrade, securuity being something which has never been an issue in the 10 years that I have owned my flat.What are you hoping to occur?
He has given you one key presumably so isn't really under much obligation to resolve any further issue with his own cash.
Get a better Landlord who cares (maybe your property is 'managed' by more people who don't care about the tenants)
I am sympathetic to your plight... I have had loose bricks and a broken fence for months, of which I have fixed the f
kers a couple of times already. But its not like I can MAKE them do anything really... not without more bother than it's worth.Don't forget you may be able to sell the keys on to the next tenants?
I really think we should look at trying to "fire" our managing agents.. anyone know how to do this?
Does the key open the front door to the block AND the door to your flat?
Those are pretty expensive to have done as fas as I know.
Is there any chance he's asking for a key deposit as opposed to asking for you to pay for the key? If it's not a deposit, when you move, sell them back to him for £40!
Those are pretty expensive to have done as fas as I know.
Is there any chance he's asking for a key deposit as opposed to asking for you to pay for the key? If it's not a deposit, when you move, sell them back to him for £40!
silverMX said:
Does the key open the front door to the block AND the door to your flat?
Those are pretty expensive to have done as fas as I know.
Is there any chance he's asking for a key deposit as opposed to asking for you to pay for the key? If it's not a deposit, when you move, sell them back to him for £40!
Nope.. the old locks were different, just standard yales, so we have this come another once (three times if you include the other entrances..Those are pretty expensive to have done as fas as I know.
Is there any chance he's asking for a key deposit as opposed to asking for you to pay for the key? If it's not a deposit, when you move, sell them back to him for £40!
Not asking for a deposit, a straight £37.40 for two new keys to be cut.. and we cannot go anywhere else...
Just had another email conversation with him, asked him why, when the new locks were discussed at AGM we were not informed of the intention to upgrade... apparently it's not "usually such an issue"...(bearing in mind it's OUR funds that paid for the new locks!)
I went through this some years ago, although they were only charging 10 quid for each key. The point being, they can control how many keys are being cut for each lock. This is good for security... with communal entrances, you end up with hundreds of keys being cut and passed around over the years.
There was a phone number on my key - I just phoned it and got them cut directly by them.
There was a phone number on my key - I just phoned it and got them cut directly by them.
From memory getting such a key cut about 10 years ago, I'd say the actual price isn't unreasonable making allowance for a bit of inflation.
Whether the rest is reasonable, I suppose you'd have to ask what the reaction would've been if they'd fitted a lower security option which had subsequently been broken into? Given the litigious nature of today's society, I'd imagine most managing agents would cover their arses this way?
As for the door being glass, if it's completely glass then surely it must be toughened?
Whether the rest is reasonable, I suppose you'd have to ask what the reaction would've been if they'd fitted a lower security option which had subsequently been broken into? Given the litigious nature of today's society, I'd imagine most managing agents would cover their arses this way?
As for the door being glass, if it's completely glass then surely it must be toughened?
“Dont think I am being un reasonable, 1) we did not ask for high security locks, there was nothing wrong with the old type, 2) what is the point in putting high secuity locks in a glass door!”
The intentions being that should there be an attempt at false entry by smashing the glass, then the locks can not be operated from inside without a key, the principle being similar to a mortice style lock or a double locking nightlatch.
“Contacted the manaaging agent who said that all new keys had to be supplied by him, and the two I wanted could be supplied at £36.40.”
The price charged is not excessive for two (2) high security keys, both Ingersol and Union manufactured high security locks, require the registration of the person purchasing similar locks , where replacement keys can only be ordered direct from the factory, by the person registered as the key holder of the locks.
“I really think we should look at trying to "fire" our managing agents.. anyone know how to do this?”
Yes, just obtain a majority agreement to the same from the other Leaseholders, then inform the agents you/they no longer require their services.
The intentions being that should there be an attempt at false entry by smashing the glass, then the locks can not be operated from inside without a key, the principle being similar to a mortice style lock or a double locking nightlatch.
“Contacted the manaaging agent who said that all new keys had to be supplied by him, and the two I wanted could be supplied at £36.40.”
The price charged is not excessive for two (2) high security keys, both Ingersol and Union manufactured high security locks, require the registration of the person purchasing similar locks , where replacement keys can only be ordered direct from the factory, by the person registered as the key holder of the locks.
“I really think we should look at trying to "fire" our managing agents.. anyone know how to do this?”
Yes, just obtain a majority agreement to the same from the other Leaseholders, then inform the agents you/they no longer require their services.
I fitted Abloy locks and these keys are about £15 each, plus VAT. You can only get them with a key card too, the locksmith can't copy the keys.
I think it is good in a rental situation. Far too many of my mates lend out keys and they get copied left right and centre. God knows how many keys exist for the main door to that house....
I think it is good in a rental situation. Far too many of my mates lend out keys and they get copied left right and centre. God knows how many keys exist for the main door to that house....
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