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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to leave a key out for the electrician?

20 replies

EduCated · 17/12/2019 18:33

We live in a rented flat managed by a lettings agency on behalf of our landlord. Up until recently, whenever maintenance people/the agents needed to access it, we gave permission for them to use the key held by the letting agents to come in whilst we were at work (we both commute upwards of an hour and don’t have jobs which allow us to work from home). We have never refused access (even for the three monthly ‘inspections’) and have always been happy with this arrangement. We would also be happy for them to come evenings or weekends.

Recently, they closed their local office and now the key is held at their office about 20-30 minutes drive away. We’ve recently had two maintenance issues which have needed their contractor to come out. Both times the contractor has asked us to leave a key out, and been quite arsey when we’ve asked them to collect it from the agents, because they say it’s out of their way. We need them to come this week to look at a reasonably urgent repair, and again they’ve asked us to leave a key out.

The flat opens directly onto the street in a built up area - it just doesn’t feel sensible to me to leave the key out and I can’t think of anywhere obvious-that’s-not-obvious to leave it.

I’ve occasionally had to leave a key for DH, but have done so knowing he’d be there within the hour or so, not having it sat out all day (we’re out pretty much 7-7 most days).

AIBU not to want to leave the key out/to ask them to get it from the agents?

OP posts:
Stevienickssleeves · 17/12/2019 18:36

A keysafe? Leave with a neighbour? Ask a friend to wait in?

Brimful · 17/12/2019 18:38

YANBU at all! It's up to them to collect the key from the agents.

Original poster
EduCated · 17/12/2019 18:40

There is a key safe but no-one seems to know the code. I’d be happy for the landlord to fit one. Unfortunately we don’t know our neighbours at all, and I don’t know anyone I could ask to be in without them taking time off work either.

OP posts:
fuckitoff · 17/12/2019 18:49

Can they not come in the evening or weekend when you're there?

CathyorClaire · 17/12/2019 19:08

If it's out of the way for the contractors maybe they should ditch the contract and let the agents find others rather than bleat at you.

It's not safe or wise for you to leave the key out for them and that's the end of it.

Bufferingkisses · 17/12/2019 19:10

A key safe only has 4 digits, it won't take that long to work out the code. Once it's open you can change it?

Bufferingkisses · 17/12/2019 19:11

Hmm, thinking about it there may be digital key safes so ignore me if I'm talking rubbish!

PriscillaTheHun · 17/12/2019 19:26

No that's not on. If the contractor can't / won't collect a key from the agent then the agent or your landlord will have to meet them at the property to let them in.

LiveFatsDieYoGnu · 17/12/2019 19:30

A key safe only has 4 digits, it won't take that long to work out the code.

There are 10000 possible combinations of 4 digits 1-9, OP could be there a while...

Freddiefox · 17/12/2019 19:36

Not unreasonable at all, if they don’t want to travel then the landlord should get someone else, or he trademan can charge more to cover his time. It’s not your problem though and keep saying no

Wattagoose90 · 17/12/2019 19:41

Your contents insurance would be invalidated if the key were to fall into the wrong hands. You're not being unreasonable at all.

If the contractors don't want the work, someone else will!

filka · 17/12/2019 19:44

You need to suggest to your landlord that he changes the agent.

Original poster
EduCated · 17/12/2019 21:42

Thanks all. I feel we’ve presented reasonable options (they can collect the key, or come evening/weekend), but the contractor was very much making us out to be difficult and awkward for not wanting to leave the key.

Your contents insurance would be invalidated if the key were to fall into the wrong hands.

Exactly what’s concerning me - if someone got into the house, we wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.

OP posts:
Bufferingkisses · 17/12/2019 22:23

@LiveFatsDieYoGnu I've done this on countless 4 digit padlocks on the kids bikes, shed doors, toolboxes etc thanks to them being independent and wanting their own combinations. It really doesn't take long. Cup of tea and don't do it when it's rainy!

Original poster
EduCated · 19/12/2019 17:53

If I knew for sure it worked and had a four digit code, I’d go for it. Maybe in the summer Grin

OP posts:
Bufferingkisses · 20/12/2019 13:14

Definitely a summer job Grin

Hester54 · 20/12/2019 13:24

How would you feel if you had to get paper for the printer, there is a cupboard next door to the printer but the key is held over an hour’s round trip away and you have to take it back as well, you have loads of work to fit in that day also, but it’s alright somebody at the cupboard evening’s and weekends so you can do it then.
Most tradesmen are honest can you not go into work a bit later?

mumofbun · 20/12/2019 13:29

Can you drop it off to the tradesperson at some point and have them post it back through?

Thurmanmurman · 20/12/2019 13:48

I think YABU I’m afraid. If you were the homeowner you would have to be in or leave the key. If you need the contractor to come then you surely need to make keys available. The contractor may not work evenings or weekends and expecting them to travel an hour out of the way is unfair, especially when you have a key safe.

BlaueLagune · 20/12/2019 14:17

There is an obvious problem with the keysafe which is that the OP doesn't know the code!

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