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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not leave LL a spare key?

33 replies

sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 20:17

Moving out next month sometime and landlord is having viewings. So far we have accommodated all ourselves but we’re away this weekend so she has asked to do it herself. I would prefer not to but fine, we are abroad and I can’t be bothered to argue as I’ve enough on.

However she has asked that we leave her a spare key. I’ve said no because we don’t have a spare (just one for DP and one for me) and I’m also not comfortable leaving it under a pot plant / mat for a whole weekend in central London.

She is saying she is nervous as she’s not been to the flat in many years and doesn’t want to plan for viewings and not be able to get in. We haven’t changed the locks and I’ve said we’re happy to accommodate other times / days when we’re back if she is genuinely concerned about this. AIBU to not leave a key out?

OP posts:
GabriellaMontez · 11/10/2022 20:21

She's nervous???

But is happy for you to leave a key out... she's a piss taker.

notdaddycool · 11/10/2022 20:23

If you leave a key under a plant pot you’d never be insured if you were cleaned out.

catell01 · 11/10/2022 20:24

Can you not just get another key cut and then:

  • leave it with a trusted neighbour/friend she can pick it up from while you're gone.
  • drop it off at the office before you leave for weekend.
  • get her to pick it up before you leave for weekend
Original poster
sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 20:27

@catell01 but she already has a key. She’s just saying she’s worried it won’t work

OP posts:
WyldeSwan · 11/10/2022 20:29

So she can arrange with you to pop over this week and test it whilst your home? Not really your problem!

bloodywhitecat · 11/10/2022 20:31

catell01 · 11/10/2022 20:24

Can you not just get another key cut and then:

  • leave it with a trusted neighbour/friend she can pick it up from while you're gone.
  • drop it off at the office before you leave for weekend.
  • get her to pick it up before you leave for weekend

No because, legally, a tenant doesn't have to allow viewings during their tenancy. I would just say no to her accessing the property during your absence.

Original poster
sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 20:31

@notdaddycool that is my worry and what I’ve said to her. Our contents insurance would all be for nowt

OP posts:
beachcitygirl · 11/10/2022 20:34

Just say no. No.
No to leaving a spare key.

In fact I'd say no to viewings whilst you're away.

She's a CF

ItsStardustBackAgain · 11/10/2022 20:45

She’s weird. And an idiot. She wants a key to her flat left under a pot, in London?!

As landlord she is legally entitled to a key but she’s supposed to have sorted that, it’s nothing to do with you.

I strongly recommend you say no to viewings while you’re away, since she’s bonkers and so much could go wrong. What if she doesn’t lock up properly?! What if she decides to ‘leave you’ the key?

Noo no no. Tell her your contents insurance doesn’t cover you leaving a key so viewings will need to be when you’re back.

catell01 · 11/10/2022 20:48

sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 20:27

@catell01 but she already has a key. She’s just saying she’s worried it won’t work

Your original post didn't make this clear but my solutions are still valid. But if you don't want her there and you're not legally obliged to give her access in your absence, then what's the problem in saying no? I don't know what the big deal is

Original poster
sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 21:02

Thanks all. Yes, she is extremely weird. I’ve never actually met her and when I once wanted to call her with an electrical emergency she declined the call. Hyper-responsive but very keen on gaslighting so I hate having to deal with her at all and probably feel I lose a sense of perspective. She has just responded that she doesn’t see how it would be a matter for insurance as there’s no external access (I have already pointed out that the downstairs access door is often not properly closed). She is somehow never here but also incredibly intrusive

OP posts:
ginghamstarfish · 11/10/2022 21:07

You don't have to allow viewing at all while you're still living there

Howyiz · 11/10/2022 21:09

Just tell her that it is best if she just waits until you back to schedule viewings.
Or better yet that you won't be facilitating anymore viewings.

Charcy · 11/10/2022 21:13

Just say no to viewings, you don't have to allow them whether you're there or not. I definitely wouldn't have strangers in my home whilst I wasn't there, probably not even if I was tbh.

TrainspottingWelsh · 11/10/2022 21:18

Just tell her it’s unfortunate she doesn’t agree with your concerns but you feel you’ve already been more than accommodating to allow the viewings and it’s simply not possible to leave her a key.
If she keeps banging on ask her how much reduction you’re getting for your loss of quiet enjoyment so far.

MinnyMous · 11/10/2022 21:20

Having no external access wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to your insurers. Just say no.

Galaktoboureko · 11/10/2022 21:27

beachcitygirl · 11/10/2022 20:34

Just say no. No.
No to leaving a spare key.

In fact I'd say no to viewings whilst you're away.

She's a CF

It's usually in the contract that you have to agree to viewings. Usually it's 24 or 48hrs notice, I forget which.

Galaktoboureko · 11/10/2022 21:38

If the tenant does refuse access while there are ‘reasonable’ viewing clauses and the landlord has attempted to orchestrate them reasonably and with fair warning, yes, the tenant IS in breach of contract. Then you can serve a section 8, but what’s the bloody point? The tenant is due to vacate soon anyways and going down the eviction route would be the epitome of cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. A whole lot of hassle.

Another point to note is that the landlord may have a good case to seek compensation via the deposit scheme if reasonable access hasn’t been granted and consequently money has been lost.

Original poster
sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 21:41

Galaktoboureko · 11/10/2022 21:38

If the tenant does refuse access while there are ‘reasonable’ viewing clauses and the landlord has attempted to orchestrate them reasonably and with fair warning, yes, the tenant IS in breach of contract. Then you can serve a section 8, but what’s the bloody point? The tenant is due to vacate soon anyways and going down the eviction route would be the epitome of cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. A whole lot of hassle.

Another point to note is that the landlord may have a good case to seek compensation via the deposit scheme if reasonable access hasn’t been granted and consequently money has been lost.

Thanks @Galaktoboureko. We’ve had 15 viewings already but a key issue is we are not due to move until 30 November but LL is insistent on trying to get us out sooner if it can be made to work. She complained earlier of losing someone because they wanted ASAP and she couldn’t give them assurances… which is silly, we will definitely be out 30 November, I just can’t categorically commit to the 6th like she wants! If she had been upfront on the date I’m sure it would’ve gone already.

OP posts:
TrainspottingWelsh · 11/10/2022 22:02

The landlord can write whatever they like in the contract and make as many cases as they like for breaching it and can try and seek compensation. But the law overrules it, and you have a legal right to quiet enjoyment, and 15 viewings and demanding you leave a key is not quiet enjoyment.

I’m a ll, and yours is trying to maximise their profit at your expense by making sure you are paying rent for what should be done after you vacate. I have done viewings with a tenant in situ, but make it very clear they can refuse, and certainly not anywhere near 15. And if they agree I reduce the rent accordingly because I don’t believe the financial benefits of intruding in their home should be all mine.

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 11/10/2022 22:07

sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 21:41

Thanks @Galaktoboureko. We’ve had 15 viewings already but a key issue is we are not due to move until 30 November but LL is insistent on trying to get us out sooner if it can be made to work. She complained earlier of losing someone because they wanted ASAP and she couldn’t give them assurances… which is silly, we will definitely be out 30 November, I just can’t categorically commit to the 6th like she wants! If she had been upfront on the date I’m sure it would’ve gone already.

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I'd just be refusing more viewings at this point. Rental market what it is there's no way it should take 15! Let alone more.

No way leave a key. You don't have to engage with her. You could just block her if she's hassles you. She can't recoup your deposit for not allowing viewings that isn't true.

Musti · 11/10/2022 22:12

Definitely don’t let someone like that access to your home and belongings whilst you’re not there. Viewing can take place another time and I would be fed up by now after 15 of them tbh

Galaktoboureko · 11/10/2022 22:48

sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 21:41

Thanks @Galaktoboureko. We’ve had 15 viewings already but a key issue is we are not due to move until 30 November but LL is insistent on trying to get us out sooner if it can be made to work. She complained earlier of losing someone because they wanted ASAP and she couldn’t give them assurances… which is silly, we will definitely be out 30 November, I just can’t categorically commit to the 6th like she wants! If she had been upfront on the date I’m sure it would’ve gone already.

Show quote history

Well, I, doubt they can really accuse you of not granting reasonable access then. 15 viewings is a lot!

TheCatsPyjamas1 · 11/10/2022 22:53

WyldeSwan · 11/10/2022 20:29

So she can arrange with you to pop over this week and test it whilst your home? Not really your problem!

Can you suggest this to her OP?

Original poster
sicklycolleague · 11/10/2022 22:55

@TheCatsPyjamas1 I would’ve offered probably earlier but this evening she has annoyed me belittling concerns around insurance and security. We have bent over backwards for viewings and to be helpful, answering questions of potential tenants, making ourselves generally available and she just doesn’t appreciate any of it. The responses here have made me think perhaps I’m being too accommodating.

OP posts:
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