Deposit held as keys 'lost' in the post
Discussion
Hi
I would like to find out what a few PH's would do in the following situation.
I began renting a single garage in Twickenham 2 years ago through a Management company based in Mayfair; £85 per month with 2 months rent as deposit (£170).
About 6 weeks ago I gave them the required 1 months notice and cleared out the garage. I was instructed by the company to return the keys to them using Royal Mails Recorded delivery system. This I did; I wrapped the keys (2 padlocks so 2 keys)neatly in a piece of paper with a compliment slip. I made sure that from the outside of the envelope it was not evident that there was keys within it.
At the post office I weighed the letter and paid the relevant postage; it weighed 30 grams.
The following morning I receive a call from a girl at the management company stating that they had recieved the letter but there were no keys inside.
The girl I spoke with claimed she had personally opened the envelope and it did not appear to have been tampered with.
I found this very strange but said that when I go into my office later that day I would check on my desk just incase I had forgotten to put them in the envelope.
As I thought there were no keys on my desk.
I decided to place the same pieces of paper in an envelope and go back to the post office to weigh it to make sure I did actually send them. The envelope and associated paper weighed 10 grams. Naturally this means that I did send the keys.
I call the management company and was informed that they would look into it....
I tried e-mailing them twice with no reply so called them twice yesterday.
They are now saying thay they will not send my deposit back as they do not have the keys. I asked if they held a spare set which they do not (I find this very strange).
My options now appear to be:
1) Loose the £170 and let them sort it out
2) I said that I could cut the 2 padlocks off and fit 2 new ones. They said that if I did this they would arrange for someone to meet me at the garage so I could personally give them the keys. At the same time I could get my deposit back of them immediately. (I dont think it would be easy cutting them both with a hack saw...)
3) Change the locks and then let them chase me instead. I have cancelled the direct debit.
Any thoughts??
I would like to find out what a few PH's would do in the following situation.
I began renting a single garage in Twickenham 2 years ago through a Management company based in Mayfair; £85 per month with 2 months rent as deposit (£170).
About 6 weeks ago I gave them the required 1 months notice and cleared out the garage. I was instructed by the company to return the keys to them using Royal Mails Recorded delivery system. This I did; I wrapped the keys (2 padlocks so 2 keys)neatly in a piece of paper with a compliment slip. I made sure that from the outside of the envelope it was not evident that there was keys within it.
At the post office I weighed the letter and paid the relevant postage; it weighed 30 grams.
The following morning I receive a call from a girl at the management company stating that they had recieved the letter but there were no keys inside.
The girl I spoke with claimed she had personally opened the envelope and it did not appear to have been tampered with.
I found this very strange but said that when I go into my office later that day I would check on my desk just incase I had forgotten to put them in the envelope.
As I thought there were no keys on my desk.
I decided to place the same pieces of paper in an envelope and go back to the post office to weigh it to make sure I did actually send them. The envelope and associated paper weighed 10 grams. Naturally this means that I did send the keys.
I call the management company and was informed that they would look into it....
I tried e-mailing them twice with no reply so called them twice yesterday.
They are now saying thay they will not send my deposit back as they do not have the keys. I asked if they held a spare set which they do not (I find this very strange).
My options now appear to be:
1) Loose the £170 and let them sort it out
2) I said that I could cut the 2 padlocks off and fit 2 new ones. They said that if I did this they would arrange for someone to meet me at the garage so I could personally give them the keys. At the same time I could get my deposit back of them immediately. (I dont think it would be easy cutting them both with a hack saw...)
3) Change the locks and then let them chase me instead. I have cancelled the direct debit.
Any thoughts??
mmm-five said:
#2 looks like the best option, assuming the person who's collecting the keys is also returning your deposit.
Thanks, this is what I am thinking.I will make it clear when I next speak with them that I will not be giving them the keys without having the cheque in my hand.
If the recorded delivery includes the weight, is it possible to retrieve and weigh the package they claim to have received, thus proving that the weight changed once it was out of your hands, the deposit is owed and / or they / you should seek compensation through the insurance on the envelope? I assume it was signed for so claiming from the post office might be a non-starter, however, It might be worth threatening the owners with small claims court etc.
BMWBen said:
Surely Royal Mail aren't going to pay out, because they delivered the package...
I'd say the whole mess actually has nothing to do with you, but that's not going to help unfortunately.
Exactly how I feel.I'd say the whole mess actually has nothing to do with you, but that's not going to help unfortunately.
I will raise the claim with Royal Mail but I think they only offer insurance up circa £48!
I really find it hard to believe that someone opened the envelope whilst in transit. I know it happens a lot, cash goes missing etc etc
I have a post office receipt stating 30 grams sent.
Tell the management company that as the keys have been lost, you'll put your own padlock on the garage as well, for security, until the Post Office have found the keys.
That way, if the management company are trying to pull a fast one, they'll have to pay you your deposit to get the third key.
That way, if the management company are trying to pull a fast one, they'll have to pay you your deposit to get the third key.
Royal Mail do have an investigations department and they might look into it if they think someone is being dishonest.
You may not be able to hacksaw the locks off - the biggest pair of boltcutters you can lay your hands on would probably be most useful.
You may not be able to hacksaw the locks off - the biggest pair of boltcutters you can lay your hands on would probably be most useful.
Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 8th June 18:35
Doofus said:
Tell the management company that as the keys have been lost, you'll put your own padlock on the garage as well, for security, until the Post Office have found the keys.
That way, if the management company are trying to pull a fast one, they'll have to pay you your deposit to get the third key.
I like this idea. It calls their bluff, and if they geniunely don't have the keys, it may encourage them to be more open to negotiation about the deposit.That way, if the management company are trying to pull a fast one, they'll have to pay you your deposit to get the third key.
Doofus said:
Tell the management company that as the keys have been lost, you'll put your own padlock on the garage as well, for security, until the Post Office have found the keys.
That way, if the management company are trying to pull a fast one, they'll have to pay you your deposit to get the third key.
This,definately.That way, if the management company are trying to pull a fast one, they'll have to pay you your deposit to get the third key.
Alfanatic said:
I like this idea. It calls their bluff, and if they geniunely don't have the keys, it may encourage them to be more open to negotiation about the deposit.
Or they could just cut it off and keep the £170....Just buy a couple of padlocks from the poundshop and fit them..
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