Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Key for tenants

58 replies

Meluzyna · 06/04/2017 17:38

As we won't get much of a pension, a couple of years ago we invested in a new-build buy to let flat on a big city which is managed by agents on our behalf.
Our original tenant has just moved out and a couple has moved in. The flat is in a block with an underground garage. They have been given two front door keys for the flat one electronic pulse opener for the main door to the building and one garage electronic opener which opens both the garage and the main door to the building.
I've just had the agent on the phone - they are asking for another electronic thingy for the main door. But why do they need one? There are two of them and they have two devices which open the main door, one of which also opens the garage door. The garage door opens from the inside by detection so even if one of them walked off with the garage opener in their pocket, the other would still be able to get the car out - they'd just need to either wait for their partner to return with the gadget or ask a neighbour to open the garage door for them to get in - but there is a free open air car park on the opposite side of the street.
Am I being unreasonable to think this is not my problem and that it's up to them to sort themselves out? I haven't been able to find out yet how much it would cost to get a new electronic opener for the main door - but going by experience, probably not far off 100 quid as it's not the gadget itself which is expensive but the security procedure to get it coded for our building.

OP posts:

MsJamieFraser · 06/04/2017 18:03

Tbh, as there is only one parking space which you have given them keys for, then I would say that they could have additional keys but at their own cost.

Itsmeitscathy · 06/04/2017 18:03

They might share the car...?! You can't always see each other to pass on a key. There may be an open air car park nearby but why should they use that when they're paying to use a locked garage? Apart from anything else it could affect their car insurance.
YABVVU - why should they be inconvenienced in their own home?!

ifyoulikepinacolada · 06/04/2017 18:03

Yabu. What if they don't want the faff of swapping keys if they share a car? It's annoying as hell! Not unreasonable to want a spare anyway.

This is your problem. They're your tenants. Just get them the extra key!

dailymailarecunts · 06/04/2017 18:03

How much rent will they be paying you over the course of say a year? £100 to give them 2 sets of fobs is bloody nothing in that, and yet you risk losing good (I assume) tenants by being petty over that. I've both been a landlord and rented by way, so can see it from both sides.

TheHiphopopotamus · 06/04/2017 18:04

Exactly trifle

Regardless OP, you obviously don't think you're being unreasonable so why bother asking?

VeryButchyRestingFace · 06/04/2017 18:04

As far as I am concerned I have given them two sets of keys

As far as they're concerned you haven't.

And no-one agrees with you. Funny that, eh?

SnowBallsAreHere · 06/04/2017 18:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1469914265 · 06/04/2017 18:04

Do they have bike storage in the secure parking facility?

SnowBallsAreHere · 06/04/2017 18:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Itsmeitscathy · 06/04/2017 18:07

Hmm, so the garage is actually a red herring? If they've got two then I see your point in not giving them a third. Presumably for a cleaner or spare so should be payable. If that is what it's for they'll need a spare for their front door too surely or it's useless?

Kiroro · 06/04/2017 18:07

They would only need to faff about getting someone else to open the garage door for them to get the car in if one of them had walked off with the fob which opens the garage door when they weren't using the car and their partner was.

It is common for one couple to share one car and to both have a key for it, so both people would want a garage fob with their car key.

Just get it done. It is £100.

If they want any more subsequent keys (e.g. for cleaner, spares) then they pay.

Allthebestnamesareused · 06/04/2017 18:09

If by garage you mean like a car park and if there is only one parking space then OP is in the right . 2 tenants 2 keys 2 fobs. (One does just door one does door and garage). As there is only one parking space the one using the car uses that fob, the other uses the fob that just opens the door). If they want another I'd let them at their expense.

However if it is a separate lock up garage which they may use for storage for things like bikes, to put a freezer or tumble drier in etc then I would expect LL to provide 2 fobs then

Kiroro · 06/04/2017 18:12

They want a third key to the front door.

Oh, I totally misunderstood you.

They pay for this.

Kiroro · 06/04/2017 18:12

Why did you go on about all the chat about garage and car is they don't want a second garage key?

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 06/04/2017 18:14

They haven't asked for more access to the garage. The op clearly says they have asked for more access to the MAIN door. She has already provided two fobs that open the main door. One of these fobs opens the garage too.

Op I think I would find out how much an extra one would be and say they're welcome to have another one and it will cost whatever it costs.

PhyllisNefler · 06/04/2017 18:14

Are they looking for an extra garage key or just for the main building? If it's into the building only, I would be inclined to agree with you- 2 tenants and they already have a key each. If they need a garage one, I think it's not as black and white.

u123 · 06/04/2017 18:15

Yanbu
As I understand it thy have two fobs and two keys and there's two of them. Why do they need more?!

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 06/04/2017 18:16

I expect they can just get a new front door key cut Itsmeitscathy. These door fobs are more expensive and have to be ordered from whoever does security for the building

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 06/04/2017 18:18

I think you need to ask why. If it's a legitimate reason that you can understand, you cover the cost. If not, it's at their cost.
Simples.

Original poster

Meluzyna · 06/04/2017 18:21

Why did you go on about all the chat about garage and car is they don't want a second garage key?
Because one fob does the garage and the main door. One is just a door fob. The garage is under the building and there is direct access from the building to the garage (and vice versa) without additional keys.... however it's just a parking space, not storage.
Yes, I do need to ask the building management company about it - they don't answer the phone in the afternoon - but I physically do not have a spare key to give them so it's going to take a certain amount of time to get extra ones programmed.
I hadn't thought about a bicycle... which is why I asked you if IWBU. No need for all the abuse, it was an honest question and I will get on to it as soon as I can speak to the building managment people.

OP posts:

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 06/04/2017 18:28

Do you mean that literally no spare exists? Or just not one available to give them? there really should be a spare in case of an emergency.

Spottytop1 · 06/04/2017 18:32

If they want extra to the 2 sets given, they can pay for them themselves - that is what we have always done.

mustiwearabra · 06/04/2017 18:39

They may have a cleaner, dog walker (no idea if they have a pet), family member that they want to have a spare key for emergencies etc. Lots of possibilities. If they already have one complete set each then they need to pay themselves, if not then supply another. Sorry I lost track of whether they do or not! We have a dog walker and obviously paid for extra keys for her.

Sirzy · 06/04/2017 18:40

They don't have one complete set each tjough as only one of them can get into the garage.

sirfredfredgeorge · 06/04/2017 18:48

If you share the car, then having one fob with the car keys is fine, but swapping that fob with the door only fob would be a crazy hassle, so one fob permanently with car keys, and one on each of their door keys, otherwise it's an insane amount of hassle.

Flip

1 2 3