To not leave my keys out for a total stranger?

[Gertieandme]

Rented house.

Inspections every 6 mths (I’ve been here for 5 years). Inspections are done by another company not the letting agents. Letting agents lost my house keys about a year ago and only realised at the last inspection that they didn’t have any.

They emailed me and asked me to make a new set, post them to them and invoice them. I said no, they could come and pick them up and return the same day at the least, what I really thought they should do is replace the locks as a set of my house keys is now missing and labelled with my address!

They didn’t reply and it was left as it was. I’ve just got an email saying I have an inspection on Friday and they need me to leave my house keys in the shed so a total stranger can let himself in. Not happy for a number of reasons: it invalidates my contents insurance, my keys will be out all day as I’m at work and I just don’t want to!

Agents have emailed back that I am being difficult and they have to have this inspection as the last one was missed.

Who is BU?

[charlestonchaplin]

No-one is allowed in my home unless a member of the family is here to supervise. Full stop.

[Ttbb]

The EA. just threaten to complain to the ombudsman

[Barbiesears]

They are. Tell them it's done when you are there or not at all. Not worth the risk.

[Justbookedasummmerholiday]

Suggest they find you an insurance company that would OK such an arrangement.
Tell them you will let them know when is convenient and you expect the locks changed by x date or you will do it and take the cost off the rent.

[BernardBlacksHangover]

They ABU. You have perfectly valid reasons for not wanting to leave out the key. It’s quite unprofessional and a bit ridiculous that they said you were “being difficult”.

[CardsforKittens]

Just no. If they want to do an inspection maybe they can arrange it for a time that's convenient for you to be at home. They're being ridiculous.

[TaliZorahVasNormandy]

Not in a million years would I do this.

[Aquamarine1029]

Your letting agents are out of their minds. No way would I do that.

[DJBaggySmalls]

Yanbu;
''If your landlord needs access to the property to inspect it and do repairs, they should give reasonable notice and arrange a suitable time to visit (unless there's an emergency)'' - Shelter

(Landlords are) required to give 24 hours’ notice before you visit, or else your tenants are within their rights to refuse you entry.
homelet.co.uk/landlord-insurance/tips/your-rights-for-inspecting-or-viewing-a-property-as-a-landlord

[Gertieandme]

Friday is reasonable notice though, I don’t have a problem with that.

I just have a problem with leaving my keys out and letting a stranger walk around and inspect my home

[RaspberryOverload]

No way would I leave keys out for a stranger. I rearranged an inspection date to ensure I was there, and there was no quibble from the agents at all.

And I understand the agents can't insist on the inspection as the tenant has the legal right to quiet enjoyment of their home (so no letting themselves in without prior agreement). It's in the best interest of the agent to work with the tenant to get things done.

I'd want new locks as well. A set of missing keys labelled with the name and address is positively asking for someone to try them out if they find them.

[RandomMess]

I would reply back and state they need to sort out a replacement key for the one they lost as you are not invalidating your insurance. Give them the times you are available to collect and return the keys.

[RandomMess]

If you are sure the key is labelled with your address (surely they use a code system instead???) I would expect them to change the locks too.

[RaspberryOverload]

@RandomMess My agents do have the address on the keys, which I saw when in their shop. But they're pretty sensible people, so I don't have a big problem with that.

[MollyHuaCha]

UANBU

When they come, make them remove outdoor shoes too.

[Inertia]

I would expect the locks to be changed if it's labelled with your actual address, rather than a code system.

And of course you cannot leave your keys in the shed- that's an utterly ridiculous expectation.

[Mulberry72]

I rent and there is not a cat in hells chance I’d leave my keys for a stranger!

Our LA insists that someone is present for inspections which I’m happy to do, it protects both of us.

[peachgreen]

If they've lost your keys your contents insurance is probably already invalid. I would absolutely be insisting that they change the locks.

[justforthisthread101]

Have you a number for your landlord? call them. I would be very very unimpressed if the agents managing our property did anything of the sort!

[justilou1]

You insurance is invalid if the rumble the place while you're out. I would say that's a hard pass to the real estate agent.

[Standingcat]

I would suggest that you leave the keys with your letting agent for them to collect and I return, I wouldn't be trusting them with a set of keys again.

[Gertieandme]

I’ve spoken to them and they can’t change the date as the company is doing all their properties in this area on that day.

I’ve said I’m not leaving the keys out and they will have to either replace locks or come and collect keys and drop back off to me ASAP. They’ve said they won’t replace locks as keys probably lost in their office so no need!

[steppemum]

I would email agent

1. I can't leave keys anywhere it invalidates my insurance
   
2. I have no objection to being inspected, the last one was missed because you lost the keys
   
3. there is a lost set of keys in circulation with my address on it, so my personal security is compromised
   
4. Best solution all round is new set of locks, and new keys for us both.

[Ohyesiam]

I think invalidating your insurance is reason enough not to. They need to listen to that.

[DoJo]

Tell them that if the keys are lost in their office they can spend their time hunting for them rather than wasting your time asking you to do something as stupid as leaving your keys out.