Should a landlord pay for a locksmith?

Guest Author

11:55 AM, 3rd October 2022, About 2 years ago 44

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Hi, Our tenant has given us a notice. I advertised my property and arranged a viewing.

I asked permission of the tenant – Can I show the property as they were not available and were out during viewings. They happily agreed.

I showed the house and locked the house before leaving the property.

Later my tenant called me and asked why have I locked the house as they couldn’t enter the property as they hadn’t taken the key for bottom main lock.

Note – the main door has two locks – one Yale and the main lock.

I was a 4 hour drive away and asked them to call a locksmith.

Now the tenant has paid their rent but deducting locksmith charge of £250.

Should the landlord be bearing the charge because tenant didn’t lock the property in the first place?

And secondly they forgot to take the keys with them.

The tenant’s argument is why I locked the property when I was leaving.

Thanks,

Aastha

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Comments

Swift Kick

0:18 AM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Cognito at 12/10/2022 - 00:03
Certainly, highlight it in any manner you like. As stated by others, many tenants seem to pay little attention to what they actually sign, and most will be unaware of the provision's full relevance in any case.

However, its presence will define the tenants' responsibilities and empower the landlord irrespective of who might depart the property in a fully secured manner.

Common sense, should dictate that it is always best practice to "leave it as you found it", but similarly it should be common sense for any tenant to ensure that that deadlock is utilised, especially when many contents insurers insist upon the same when settling any claim.

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Graham Bowcock

11:24 AM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

I have been watching this thread (and have previously commented) with interest and wonder if some landlords are over zealous in making rules and regulations.

My agency recently struggled to let a flat as the owner insisted on doing the viewings, then laid down a list of "don'ts" to the tenants. They all walked away.

The original situation sounds like a one off and, frankly (in my view), the landlord made a mistake and was seeking support for not reimbursing the tenant for something he had agreed.

Whatever you put in a tenancy, you have to remember that enforcement on individual issues may be difficult (impossible) and you are dealing with human beings at the end of the day.

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Dylan Morris

11:41 AM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Graham Bowcock at 12/10/2022 - 11:24
That’s a good point Graham. We’re only taking about a £250 (tax deductible) locksmith fee here. Seemingly good tenants in all respects who have kindly allowed landlord to enter property to conduct a viewing. Landlord does appear to be overreacting here if I may say so.

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Swift Kick

12:07 PM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

The presence of such provisions within an AST, to cover situations such as this, would seem to be a sensible plan; and especially if you happen to be employed to represent the best interest of the landlord ?

However, it is entirely up to landlord wether they wish to remind any tenant of their contractural obligations in this regard, and any managing agent can also act as sounding board.

If both parties enjoy a cordial and considerate relationship, then one can tread lightly and seek a mutually acceptable resolution (as previously suggested) whilst reminding the tenant of their obligations, whilst demonstrating how fair you are as a landlord.

It’s simply a landlords lever to potentially extract a fair and equitable outcome, so why would one choose to exclude it ?

In a world where landlords are increasingly burdened with a plethora of responsibilities to their tenants, and indeed other surrounding residents, simply expecting a tenant to secure all locks upon exit is surely not too muck to ask ?

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