House Keys - who has copies?

[Scudder]

Here I am with another thread - it's all happening here! I wish I'd found this forum six months ago

My rented house has two keys on the inventory. The LA has a set that I know of. They also have the keys to a padlock on the attic door, which I don't have.

Within a week of me being here, a group of 4 women let themselves into the house without knocking. It was the cleaner and three of her 'girls' (I was expecting one cleaner, but didn't know she had a key). Since then, every fortnight, different cleaners have arrived with a key. They arrive in sets of 3 or 4 and don't speak english. I've now told them to knock, but they still have the key.

Question - how do I find out who has keys, does it matter and how do I protect myself from anyone coming in? There is no chain or bolt on the door.

[blitz]

What sort of tenancy agreement is it, and what is it for (the whole house, a room in a house, everything but the attic). Talk to the LA about the cleaners coming in randomly without knocking and see if they can find a remedy.
Otherwise dependent on the agreement you can change the locks/lock certain rooms up yourself as long as you don't cause damage to the property and dependent on the type of agreement and what it says.

[Scudder]

The tenancy is in question...see other thread.

It's a whole house, exclusive use. No mention of attic being out of bounds.
I've spoken to the LA about it and they were pretty useless. I've told the girls to ring the bell, which they now do - but I don't know who has a key and I feel v. insecure.

I can change the locks with the landlord's permission - which they won't give.

[hbltd]

Were the cleaners having access agreed before you took the tenancy?

[MrShed]

I would suggest that you write to the landlord and remind them that you have a contractual right to exclusive possession of the property. You are giving them 7 days to cease unauthorised entry into the property, otherwise you will be forced to change the locks as you will consider your privacy and security to be under question. Say that although you have no obligation to provide them with a key should this occur, you will give all copies of the key for the new lock to them subsequent to the termination of the tenancy.

[Ed999]

If you are a shorthold tenant and have a tenancy which was granted more than 6 months ago, you can be evicted by the landlord giving you 2 months notice, at any time; so it is prudent not to cause the landlord to view you as a troublesome tenant.

Yes, you can make a stand on your legal rights, as has been suggested by other posters. But your so-called security of occupation is illusory if you are a mere shorthold tenant, so those "rights" are in reality essentially worthless.

You can bring an action for damages in a court, for breach of the landlord's implied covenant for "quiet enjoyment", or for some breach by him of the express terms tenancy agreement, but the landlord's most likely response will be to give you 2 months notice of eviction, as you have already been in the property for six months.

That is a step best not taken while you are still in occupation of the premises in question!


Advice & opinions on this forum are offered informally, without any assumption of liability. Use your own judgment. Seek advice of a qualified and insured professional if you have any doubts.

[JOSH_IOU]

Excuse me I am a short hold tenant are you saying my human rights are worthless?


Ask them to leave if they refuse call the police immediately.

[MrShed]

James, why revive a dormant thread with inflammatory comments with no basis, and no constructive addition? Eds post was spot on. No-one has said "human rights are worthless" - indeed human rights havent been mentioned at all. But if you are talking about Eds reference to security of occupation being worthless, in reality, yes it is. Just as there is a right for the tenant to have quiet occupation, the landlord has a right to evict. Hence Eds post.

Please, think before posting inflammatory rubbish.

[JOSH_IOU]

its not dormant

[MrShed]

Good answer! :S The last post hasnt been for a fortnight, the last post from OP for 3 weeks. Its fairly dormant.