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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Someone has removed key safe when I was away. Slightly freaked out

26 replies

newhouseworries · 07/08/2021 14:21

Me and DC moved into a housing association flat about 3 weeks ago.

It had a key safe box at our door that I don't need but I just left it, never mentioned it to anyone.

I went camping Tues to last night. It was definitely there when I left. Came back and it has been taken off the wall.

My youngest was with their grandmother who lives two streets away but the eldest (16) stayed by herself because their grandmother is just two streets away.

DD went out for 3 hours on Tues and that's all, the rest of the time she was in. Says she never heard a knock or anything. She was definitely in as she's very trustworthy and sensible.

Do the local councils just come and remove these things does anyone know??

Freaked me out a bit tbh.

OP posts:

Twoforthree · 07/08/2021 14:24

Was a key actually in it?

RampantIvy · 07/08/2021 14:24

Who lived in the house before you? Was it someone who needed carers?

It's quite possible that whoever installed the key safe came back for it because it was no longer needed.

TheTempest · 07/08/2021 14:26

Councils and housing associations put up a key safe when the property is empty to make it easier to get access for repairs/viewings etc. They then get taken down and reused somewhere else a few weeks later. I always mention it to my customers, they should have mentioned it to you.

But anyway, nothing to worry about :)

TyrionsNextWife · 07/08/2021 14:27

My council installs these when they’re doing repairs in between tenants for easy access for the workman. The housing association probably just realised they were missing one and came to collect it.

Jorrris · 07/08/2021 14:27

I would think that it would need to be opened before it could be removed from the wall. Unlikely to be the council. More likely the previous owner.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 07/08/2021 14:30

I have a friend who installed one outside her HA house so her son could get in without potentially losing the key. She sent him to get it after they moved as she forgot - he just took it off the wall She was going to tell them what had happened so they weren’t freaked out, I hope she did!

This was much earlier this year so won’t be your house, but I’d guess it’s fairly common for the precious owner/installer to come back for them if they forgot.

vdbfamily · 07/08/2021 14:34

Have you moved there recently? We often requests key safes for people who need care at home but cannot get to the door. If that person moved into a home or died, that keysafe might be collected along with other equipment. Maybe it was that.

CornishTiger · 07/08/2021 14:38

The HA have probably removed it now that the void period is over.

Or the previous occupant had it installed by Adult social care.

Akire · 07/08/2021 14:40

I’ve got a key safe you need to know the combination to open it before you can unscrew it off the wall. So must be by the HA or else by default they are not easily removable that’s their whole point.

Worth a call to put your mind at rest. I would change locks anyway in new place as you don’t know how many previous tenants have had keys.

godmum56 · 07/08/2021 14:46

@Akire

Worth a call to put your mind at rest. I would change locks anyway in new place as you don’t know how many previous tenants have had keys.

this definitely (changing locks)

CornishTiger · 07/08/2021 14:47

Most HA do lock change as part of the voids process. Check if yours do.

LemonFantaGin · 07/08/2021 14:48

Key safes are added to void HA properties so contractors can access the property whilst it is empty they will then be removed by the HA.

Blueskythinking123 · 07/08/2021 14:49

My gran had a key safe fitted by the local authority for my auntie who needed carers. When my auntie died, they came and took the key safe back.

Original poster

newhouseworries · 07/08/2021 14:50

@Twoforthree I don't know if it had a key in it, it was locked when I moved in and I never knew the code.

@RampantIvy I only know the names of the people who used to live here. I googled their names found them on social media and they are quite young. I realise that doesn't mean they didn't need carers although I suppose less likely.

@TheTempest Yeah the flat was a full renovation job and empty for months prior to me getting it, so it was maybe that.

It's just freaking me out a bit tbh, just in case someone has taken it off to get keys to rob the place or something!! The so called 'secure entry' at the main entrance to the block is always left open and our main door pretty flimsy. I realise that's highly highly unlikely and it will likely be the HA, but I'd have thought they'd have told me by phone or email or knocked.

I work nights and DD 16 is herself overnight at twice a week, since she turned 16 she doesn't want to go to their grandmother's and cause it's just round the corner and she's extremely sensible I allowed it.

I'll call the HA on Monday morning and ask if they removed it.

OP posts:

Menora · 07/08/2021 14:51

The key safe is for the workmen when they are doing any void repairs or painting.

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 07/08/2021 14:52

IME yes, very normal for HA to turn up and do jobs which can feel quite intrusive to external/communal areas without notice or even knocking to say hiya, just doing xyz.

I would feel a bit weird about it too especially as your eldest was home alone (no judgment implied there btw - I was in a similar situation at that age and think it fine if everyone comfortable), but ultimately I think it's fine really.

Original poster

newhouseworries · 07/08/2021 14:53

Good point re changing the locks!! I'll ask if the HA changed them (don't think so).

When I can afford it I will get them changed.

OP posts:

LemonFantaGin · 07/08/2021 14:54

My husband works void for a HA, they wouldn't have informed you they were removed as it wasn't in your property, it wasn't given to you, so they will remove them and take them to new properties as and when needed, it wouldn't have had keys in it, because they are handed back to the housing officers to be given to the new tenant when they move in

Ilikechips · 07/08/2021 14:56

My husband is an electrician and does some work for the council and the key safes are put up for tradesmen and then moved onto the next property when needed, it would freak me out to come home to but I don’t think you need to worry!

LemonFantaGin · 07/08/2021 14:56

Obviously thats going my the company my DH works for (A very large HA in London) but I imagine most work in a similar way.

Original poster

newhouseworries · 07/08/2021 14:59

@NellWilsonsWhiteHair Thanks, yeah I'm a single parent and the DC (now 16 and 11) always both went to their grandmother on my work times either after school in a taxi or my night shifts. Now we are just two streets away and DD is 16 and really mature (has a PT job, cooks better than me etc!!) she stays at home and it's just DS 11 who goes to Nan's. There's no space there they don't have their own bedrooms and their 'stuff'.

OP posts:

Tereseta · 07/08/2021 15:00

If you are worried could you fit a bolt or chain to the door for extra security?

Original poster

newhouseworries · 07/08/2021 15:01

Thanks all

I'm realising it's likely to have been the HA as there must have been so many tradespeople in and out for months as it's been completely renovated.

OP posts:

Original poster

newhouseworries · 07/08/2021 15:02

Yeah I might get a chain or bolt

OP posts:

WaterIsBest · 07/08/2021 16:02

Get a chain / bolt today if you can and change locks asap

Can nan stay with both children at your house when your working over night?

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