I live alone in a one bedroom flat. When I moved in 4 years ago, the management agency provided me with 1 full set of keys, which included a key to the front door of the building.
Over the years, I cut (at my own expense) another full set of keys, just to keep as spares in case of loss. My tenancy agreement asks that the management agency be notified of any spare keys cut, and I duly did, and these were noted on the flat inventory.
Last week, whilst away at work, one of the other tenants in the building broke their key in the building door lock, so a locksmith was called to replace it, and each of the flats was provided with a new key. I was given only 1 key by the management agency. I asked for an additional key but was told no. I argued that my inventory clearly states that my flat holds 2 keys to the building door, and one of those was cut at my own expense. But no avail. Their reasoning is that as a single person in a one bed flat, I only require 1 key, and that’s all I was given. To make matters worse, the new key has a ‘Do not duplicate’ messages engraved, and the only way to get a spare one cut is through the management agency, and they are wanting £35 for the privilege.
This feels like such a rip off, even more so as the inventory now notes 2 building door keys, and I’ll be expected to return both when I move out. So like it or not, I’m going to be forced to pay £35 for another key.
Are they allowed to do this? Is there anything that I can do?