changing locks, rented flat, please help!

[tigerlilt]

Hello, just looking for some advice as can’t find anything useful on the internet! Me and my partner live in a rented flat in a block of around 100 private new build flats. The other night we had a mix up with a friend who locked the door and then slid the key under the door (myself and my partner were both out, he thought we had a key but did not). We then were locked out when we came home at 10pm so had to call a locksmith. The locksmith could not unlock the door so had to completely replace the lock which cost us £260 (ouch)!!

The new lock is the same level of security ect but we are unsure whether to notify the landlord/ building manager, and whether we are breaching contract having changed the lock (we really had no other option as the building is unmanned at night).

should we

a) tell the landlord now/ give them a copy of the new key
b) wait until the end of tennancy and explain then.

we are worried that if we tell them now they will charge for a re-change of locks which we currently can’t afford to pay again! Is this likely?

thankyou!!! (from a very stressed girl haha)

Tell them and provide spare keys to the landlord and the agent. They need access to the property for emergencies and also when they need to show the property before you move out.
Unless your rental contract specifies no changes to locks, you are not breaching anything.

I did this and I just gave the landlord a new key, she was fine with that as long as she had a key.

tell the landlord
don't give him a spare

it does say ‘not to install or change any locks in the property without the landlords prior written consent’ but we couldn’t exactly get written consent at the time!

Surely the landlord will require a key.

I think you need to tell the landlord and give them a spare key, also send them a copy of the locksmith invoice to prove it's been professionally done and the type of lock installed.
Hopefully they will be understanding as you didn't have much choice it - was an out of hours emergency, it was professionally done with same standard of lock and you paid for the work.
I can't see what exactly they can charge you for as it hasn't cost them anything.
However I am not a landlord!

It said this in my contract too but the landlady was fine when I explained it to her, like I said I made sure that her and the agent had a spare key.

Why on earth would you not? It is their house

With it being an emergency, fair enough. But you need to tell landlord immediately when you are able, i.e. next day. Landlords (or their agents) usually need a spare key to gain access in an emergency, especially in a flat where there are presumably other flats within the same building. So you need to at least offer a new spare key to the landlord or their agent and leave it to them to decide whether they "need" one or not. If you don't and they do need emergency access, they'll probably have to call out a locksmith, change the locks, etc and probably within their right to bill you for the costs!

It's usually a stipulation in leases that the tenant won't change locks, so really you are required to contact the landlord, explain the situation and do what they ask of you, i.e. provide them with a spare key!

Tell the landlord, give them a copy of the receipt for insurance purposes, give them a spare key so they have access and if it happens again call the landlord first to ask if they'll let you in.

In that case you must inform the LL and give them or the agent a spare key if they previously had one. It’s completely normal for a LL to have a spare key to their property in case of emergency eg if you were on holiday and a pipe burst or if tenants do a runner.

Also - irresponsible for you and your partner to both be out without a key, you’re not children. I presume the friend had your key but why didn’t your partner have his? It was only an ‘emergency’ due to your own carelessness. If I was your LL I’d warn you never to do that again.

@Fountofwisdom irresponsible maybe but a complete miscommunication! we weren’t far we were just in the car outside waiting for him! we were also in a rush for a train and both assumed the other had the second key! mistakes happen!