Property manager wants to change lock on communal door to flats while I’m on holiday. AIBU?

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I am a private rental tenant, and live in a house converted into flats. The company which manages the property on behalf of each landlord will be coming to change the locks on the communal front door, on a specified date.

I am away on holiday then, and am due to get back the day after the proposed lock change.

But I can’t commit to collecting the new keys then: there is a chance I’ll need to go to work as soon as I get back, and to go straight from the airport. I’ll know before the day, but not before I leave for holiday. (I have an unusual working situation.) So if I agree to meet at a key collection point at x o’clock and then get called into work, I’ll be stuck.

There is also the risk of flight delays - if I agree to meet someone at a certain time to collect the new keys but my flight is delayed, that’s me locked out until I can rearrange the meeting.

AIBU to want to either have the locks changed while I am present at home, or for them to be provided to me before the change happens? I’ve asked if it is possible for the keys to be cut and dropped off before I leave, but they aren’t replying to emails.

I am due to go away next week. With the Bank Holiday, I’m running out of office hours time a bit. What can I do if I hear nothing in the next few hours?!

Btw, my actual landlord has been very helpful and is helping me try to get in contact with the property manager.

If a neighbour could let you in to the block could the keys be left with a neighbour or other secure location? (Don't know if you have blocked mail boxes etc.). I agree it is inconvenient but at this time of year it might be near impossible to meet everyone's requirements of holidays / working away etc.

Ask a neighbour if they can let you in when you come back and the new communal key can be dropped through your letterbox by the locksmith.

A locksmith can't wait until every flat has an occupant at home at the very time they are doing the task.

@StripyHorse We don't have blocked mailboxes. They could be sent somewhere eg an office, delivery centre, but my worry is that if I was delayed and arrived home after that place had closed then I would be stuck.

I get on well with neighbours but again, if I arrange to meet the neighbour at home at x o'clock and then miss it I am stuck.

@Cheerybigbottom I would definitely do that, but the problem is I don't have a fixed arrival time. Depending on work I could be home at one time, or it could be 6 hours later. It seems cheeky to ask a neighbour to wait in that long.

Is there a friend or relative that could pick them up in the event you have to go straight to work?

@WeeDangerousSpike Hopefully we will get the keys before I go. But yes, I think if it comes down to it I will need to ask the property manager to drive the new key to a specific friend's workplace. No family here but have friends - we are all full time workers though so it would need to be dropped off, rather than a friend coming to my flat.

My worry is that the property managers aren't very responsive, so it could get lost in the chain of communication.

AIBU to want to either have the locks changed while I am present at home

I'd say yes. The locksmith/property manager cant schedule their work to suit everyone

I cant see why you cant just ask a neighbour to take your keys and let you in. You dont need to meet them at a specific time surely. If they know you hope to be home around a certain time on a certain day you can just get them to let you in.

I think your making it into more of a problem than it is

I also think you’re overthinking this a bit sorry!

Arrange for a neighbour to collect your new key and let you in. Make sure you’re very clear if you’re delayed you may be late but you’ll keep in close contact with them so as not to disrupt them too much. Bring them back a bottle of something as a thank you.

@Redglitter I guess the likelihood of every neighbour being out, the flight being delayed and work calling me in for six hours all conspiring to lock me out is low.

I think the ideal solution is for the key to be cut and posted well in advance which is hopefully what is going to happen.

Do you have a friend/relative/colleague/neighbour who could pick up the key for you on the day of change and give it to you at a convenient time?

That seems logical to me.

Unless you are likely to arrive home in unsociable hours, surely there will be a neighbour in that will let you in. Doesn't need to be a specific one. And the key can just be put through your letterbox so you get it when you get home.

@WaxOnFeckOff I guess it's unlikely but possible - a really bad flight delay could cause it.

Just arrange for the key to be left with a neighbour, take their number and update them on your timings. They can’t reasonably be expected to tie this in with everyone’s schedules.

I guess the likelihood of every neighbour being out, the flight being delayed and work calling me in for six hours all conspiring to lock me out is low

Exactly. You're really overthinking it.

Arranging to do it whilst youre in appears to be literally impossible

You cant give a time because there alaays might be some chance you wont be there for it

Cannot the locksmith company give you the new keys in advance?

Shouldn't be a problem surely?

@araiwa Not sure where you've got that from - it's just the day I return that's so up in the air.

I could arrange to be in any time between now and the holiday, or pretty much any day after the day I get back.

You are just looking for problems. I am sure a neighbour will let you in if they know you and would be happy to take a key for you.

What if you have to go to work the day after you get back or your dogs sick or the bathroom handle falls off and youre stuck in a bathroom or etc or etc

@rainbowunicorn Well it's not that I'm looking for problems - I'd already identified the potential problem, which is that I turned up to collect the key late and the neighbour has gone to bed or whatever. Or that said neighbour posted on MN saying "CF neighbour woke me up at 2am"

But the responses have reassured me that this is probably an unlikely scenario!

@araiwa Work - I've already arranged WFH that week for the other days. Sick dog - another reason to stay home. Stuck in bathroom - this exact situation did actually happen to me once, and I pulled the airing cupboard door off its hinges and barged the main door down. (Paid out of my own pocket for a full replacement of course.) I can be quite resourceful.

Yabu especially since your movements seem to be very up in the air ( no pun intended). You might have to work, you might not have to work, you cant give a time when you can definitely pick up the keys. Maybe book into a hotel for the night and arrange to pick up the keys the next day when you can guarantee a time.

What if an apocalypse happens before the key can be cut and posted well in advance... This is as likely as the rest of the problems you've seen

Get a neighbour to let you in the communal door when you get back and arrange to have the new key posted through your letter box. You then don't have to arrange a time to meet anyone