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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

On holiday and they’ve taken the key and won’t answer their phone

286 replies

User8182737484849 · 29/08/2025 12:50

On holiday with a family member. We don’t always see eye to eye, but I thought this trip might be a chance for a bit of a reset.

Today we decided to do different things.

Normally I’ve had the apartment key when we’ve gone out together, but I asked them to pop it in the key safe this time. For whatever reason, they didn’t — and with their phone switched off I can’t get hold of them.

I’m making the best of it with a quiet day to myself, but I can’t help feeling a bit upset. It’s left me feeling quite stuck, literally and figuratively. I can’t leave the apartment! I’d never want to make someone else feel like that.

Any advice on how to handle the rest of the trip without letting this sour everything?

OP posts:
YelramBob · 30/08/2025 19:07

I've got the key, I've got the secret 😜

alanet · 30/08/2025 19:02

I don't understand why they needed to take the key if they were planning on being out all day. It sounds to me like they owe you for a day of the holiday.

Rosscameasdoody · 30/08/2025 18:58

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 30/08/2025 09:35

She's posting the same story.

Show quote history

She posted that she wasn’t allowed to put the key in the key safe - told by the owner it wasn’t secure.

Marieb19 · 30/08/2025 18:33

What did you say to your relative when they got back? Did you point out that their behaviour was incredibley selfish?

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 30/08/2025 18:32

OP

That’s just daft. Surely if they were leaving, there was no need for them to take the key AT ALL. It’s the last person to leave that should then put the key in the key safe. Why did you let them leave WITH THE ONLY KEY, while you were still in the apartment?

Weald56 · 30/08/2025 18:29

Can you ask the rental owner if they have a second key? (Tell them the other person needs a key to themselves & will pay any extra charges if he/she loses it).

If that's not possible, I'd tape up the lock and go out (taking anything of value with me).

Emmz1510 · 30/08/2025 15:01

Usually best for people holidaying together to have a key each. Is there staff you can contact to get a second key dropped off?
As you say, you risk getting locked out if you go out anyway unless, as I said, you can pick up a second key.
What a horrible awkward person.

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 12:44

NewYorkSummer · 30/08/2025 12:40

🔪😬

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I ran out of marigolds, picking dried blood from my fingernails for days. Wouldn’t recommend it.

NewYorkSummer · 30/08/2025 12:40

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 12:35

I was a fixer when I needed some spare cash.

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🔪😬

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 12:35

NewYorkSummer · 30/08/2025 12:20

You seem to know an awful lot about cleaning up blood…. 😱

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I was a fixer when I needed some spare cash.

rainbowstardrops · 30/08/2025 12:27

Is this shite still going?! 😂
It’s clearly an ‘interesting’ thread shall we say 😉

NewYorkSummer · 30/08/2025 12:20

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 11:00

🤣.

Just in case the money is too good to turn down, No, Windolene is not effective for cleaning blood because it is designed for cleaning glass and shiny surfaces, not for disinfecting or stain removal from blood. For blood cleanup, you should use cold water with soap and, for blood that may carry pathogens like HIV or Hepatitis B, a disinfecting solution of one part household bleach to ten parts water.

Show quote history

You seem to know an awful lot about cleaning up blood…. 😱

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 11:00

Londonmummy66 · 30/08/2025 10:56

As cleaner I hope they not kill each other in the flat - I not want to clean up mess

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🤣.

Just in case the money is too good to turn down, No, Windolene is not effective for cleaning blood because it is designed for cleaning glass and shiny surfaces, not for disinfecting or stain removal from blood. For blood cleanup, you should use cold water with soap and, for blood that may carry pathogens like HIV or Hepatitis B, a disinfecting solution of one part household bleach to ten parts water.

Londonmummy66 · 30/08/2025 10:56

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 08:19

OP hasn’t posted since noon yesterday, I imagine there’s no longer a problem. Maybe they’ve killed each other.

As cleaner I hope they not kill each other in the flat - I not want to clean up mess

Ivy888 · 30/08/2025 10:38

User8182737484849 · 29/08/2025 13:16

@ScurryfungeSpuddle no but I am unable to leave and then come back in. It’s self locking.

Yes you are able to leave. Self locking doors should have a lever or something to stop it from falling shut (eg you could turn the lock while the door is open). Just take your valuables and leave l, leaving the door open. Send them a message you’re doing this as they’ve left you with no other choice. If they are worried about their stuff being nicked they can choose to return, but they need to make sure to leave the door open for you or leave the key in the key box, where it belongs. Personally I would just take all my stuff and check into another place (you’re not doing stuff together anyway so why stay somewhere where you’re locked up). DO NOT let this person dictate how your holiday goes. They are abusing you.

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 10:24

I wonder if they’ve both been skulking outside avoiding each other in the dark all night long to keep the momentum going….

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 30/08/2025 10:02

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 30/08/2025 09:58

You need the key to do that.

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True, very true, but I was thinking one of them would eventually turn up with the key!

PiggingBastardPigs · 30/08/2025 10:00

NewYorkSummer · 30/08/2025 09:57

Then they should stop airing their dirty linen on Mumsnet

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Yes, it’s not rocket science is it.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 30/08/2025 09:58

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 30/08/2025 09:55

Christ, go to Mister Minit, or Senor Minuto or Monsieur minute or herr minuten (depending on location. Other key cutting franchises and correct translations are available) and get a key cut yourself!!

You need the key to do that.

NewYorkSummer · 30/08/2025 09:57

AllrightNowBaby · 29/08/2025 22:05

The sister has already told us off for laughing.
We've been told this thread isn’t for our entertainment by her….

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Then they should stop airing their dirty linen on Mumsnet

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 30/08/2025 09:55

Christ, go to Mister Minit, or Senor Minuto or Monsieur minute or herr minuten (depending on location. Other key cutting franchises and correct translations are available) and get a key cut yourself!!

Invinoveritaz · 30/08/2025 09:36

I’d just book the next flight home. It’s got to be preferable to spending the next few days in a power struggle with a tedious relative.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 30/08/2025 09:35

Rosscameasdoody · 30/08/2025 09:08

Possibly more to do with the fact that she’s been outed and her dsis is posting on this thread with a different story.

Edited
Show quote history

She's posting the same story.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 30/08/2025 09:35

YABU to feel stuck, literally and figuratively. Go out, have wonderful day and book yourself something for the evening. Then return late after you day of unstuck freedom.

YANBU tomhave serious issues with the way you're being treated
y.

Omgblueskys · 30/08/2025 09:29

Still sister who had planned day trip didn't need to take key with her,
What if and it's just a what it, other sister decided to go for a walk or grab a coffee,

She took it because she could and to wind up her sister, she should be ashamed how silly, just don't go away together,