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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Locked a family out of their house on NYE

63 replies

Maisy313 · 31/12/2017 17:13

Fuckity fuck! BIL asked me to feed their car (after they had already left for holiday so didn't have much choice but fine!) returning today and I left the key they'd left me under a flowerpot on the kitchen table this morning. Turns out it's their only key as SIL has lost hers. Arghh feel like such an idiot, should I pay for energency lock smith? DH has gone round to try and break in!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Maisy313 · 31/12/2017 17:16

Cat! I wasn't feeding car.

OP posts:
TheFlis12345 · 31/12/2017 17:16

Don't feel bad, it's totally irresponsible of them not to have a spare set of keys.

HarrietKettleWasHere · 31/12/2017 17:17

Their only key?! They are idiots.

Chattymummyhere · 31/12/2017 17:17

Well to be honest it’s stupid to leave your only key with someone and not alert them to the fact it’s the only copy.

When we go away my dm has one of our keysbut knows I need it back where as I constantly have one of hers.

Not sure where I sit on you paying a locksmith.

metalmum15 · 31/12/2017 17:17

I agree, who only has one set of keys? He should have warned you it was the only set. I wouldn't be comfortable leaving someone's keys under a flowerpot, if they got burgled you'd get blamed!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 31/12/2017 17:17

This is their bad planning/organisation. Don’t offer to pay.

Idontevencareanymore · 31/12/2017 17:19

Nope. They're a bit silly really and should have told you.
If have left the key too!

Nicknacky · 31/12/2017 17:20

Was there nothing said about collecting it from you? It's NYE, you could have went away

PinkHeart5914 · 31/12/2017 17:21

metalmum the flower pot was on the kitchen table so inside the house.

Who has 1 set of keys? Who asks someone to feed the cat and doesn’t mention it’s the only key they have?

Don’t feel bad OP it’s not your fault these adults couldn’t organise themselves enough to tell you it was the only key, and no I would not be paying for a locksmith

SunshineTheMonkey · 31/12/2017 17:21

Would the insurance pay if the keys were left under a flowerpot?

I thought people stopped doing that in the 70s.

HermionesRightHook · 31/12/2017 17:21

I think then only having one set of keys and not warning you negates you of responsibility here.

Kind of DH to try to break in but I think if they do need a locksmith it's not on you to pay for it. Can they stay at yours this evening and sort it out in daylight?

LakieLady · 31/12/2017 17:24

It's one of those times you just wish you knew a helpful burglar ...

ArbitraryName · 31/12/2017 17:24

That means they went away with no means to get into their house. Who does that?

It’s not like it’s difficult to get another set of keys cut.

Original poster
Maisy313 · 31/12/2017 17:26

Sorry I wasn't very clear! I left key on the kitchen table thinking it was the safest thing as they were coming back this evening, but they'd originally left it for me under a flowerpot in the garden. My phone was dead and I was with my two young children so was feeling a bit harrassed. It didn't occur to me this was their only key I just assumed it was a spare and best left inside. They are being very nice about it but i do feel bad!

OP posts:
hidinginthenightgarden · 31/12/2017 17:26

@sunshinethemonkeys I found out the other day that DH's gran leaves her key on a chair in her unlocked conservatory, hidden under a wooly hat!

Original poster
Maisy313 · 31/12/2017 17:28

And if anyone does know a helpful (preferably west London based burglar) I'll happily pay for their services!

OP posts:
genehuntshoops · 31/12/2017 17:29

What type of lock is It? If it's a Yale then they at (very worryingly) asked if o open.

We are looking after our neighbour's cat while they're away and the other day DH discovered he had left their keys on their kitchen table. He used a bent metal skewer to jiggle about the Yale lock and the door was opened in seconds.

youarenotkiddingme · 31/12/2017 17:32

My parents have a spare set for me at theirs.

I have 2 sets here - 1 for me and 1 for ds.

Can they claim on insurance for call out and you offer half the excess?

Original poster
Maisy313 · 31/12/2017 17:32

It is a Yale, DH currently messing around with a screw driver but will go and join him with a metal skewer, thanks!!

OP posts:
MummySparkle · 31/12/2017 17:34

DH runs a dog-walking business. We got a frantic call a few years ago on NYE aaa one of our clients had locked themselves out. We laughed, hard And dropped by to let them in. Got a bottle of wine for our troubles so win-win! They laughed at themselves too. Don't suppose they have a dog walker?!

I also currently have one of my neighbours only set of keys whilst they're away. They know where to find me when they get back though 😁

GardenGeek · 31/12/2017 17:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

metalmum15 · 31/12/2017 17:35

Ah, sorry, missed the kitchen table bit. Yale locks can be very hard to break into. It's very silly of them not to warn you it's the only key.

meredintofpandiculation · 31/12/2017 17:35

Sunshine The flower pot was indoors. There would have to be a break-in to get at the key. So, yes, the insurance would pay.

If the pot had been outside, the OP wouldn't have had an AIBU

GardenGeek · 31/12/2017 17:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gamerchick · 31/12/2017 17:36

They should have told you it was the only key. I can hazard a guess what they’ll be doing on Tuesday.

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