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Original poster

should landord provide keys for window locks?

34 replies

suckmabigtoe · 03/06/2013 21:34

been renting for 1 year now- no repairs have been carried out despite me asking numerous times. agent's constant reply is that they cant get a response from LL. i am registering as a CMer and have asked LL permission, miraculously they have gotten back through agent saying yes that is fine. so i asked if he would then go ahead with the repairs that need done, part of the garden fence was so rotted that it broke during a storm, massive hole in the back door due to rot and no keys for any of the window locks- there are other repairs but these are the ones that i would need done in order for my home to be registered for CMing and i explained this to agent. apparently LL has said that i can repair these things myself at my own expense as i need them for my job! well tbh if i had the money i probably would just do them as it's clear he has no intention of doing it but i have no savings or cash to be able to do it. so what i am asking is -if a house is let with windows that have locks- should the keys for the locks be provided or do i have to go about getting all the locks changed? (which i cant do and so wont get registered)

OP posts:

WhatKatyDidnt · 03/06/2013 21:43

Outrageous. The landlord should definitely provide keys and do the repairs.

rockybalboa · 03/06/2013 21:46

Can you not open the windows then?!? That's just bloody dangerous whether you are CM'ing or not. LL should provide keys definitely.

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 03/06/2013 21:54

i can open and close them but i cant lock them to stop my dcs opening them and my dcs windows both open onto the kitchen roof as it is an extension. what actually prompted this thread was that i heard a rumbling noise just before and went up and my 4 year old was rolling his toy cars down the roof of the kitchen (i know he shouldn't have been and i have warned them so much not to touch the windows) the windows are low and ds2's room is so small that the bed can only go across the window so basically his mattress is the same level as the windowsill. i've moved him to my room for tonight.

OP posts:

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 03/06/2013 21:57

i have contacted the agent about this last tuesday to ask them to please ask the LL again if he will do them and she has said she will get back to me as soon as she hears from him but that is the same story everytime. i'm going to ring in the morning again but i have no clue how to get this sorted as it seems i dont actually have any way legally of making him and i dont want to be given notice if he thinks i'm going to cause trouble for him. i love it here, despite the condition of the house.

OP posts:

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 03/06/2013 22:02

i am in NI and after researching i have found that i can request a fitness inspection be carried out by my council at my expense. ( i think it is around £50) if they find that the property does not pass the fitness inspection they can place an order on the LL to reduce the rent to an amount they consider appropriate until works are carried out to make the house fit for letting- however they cant actually make him do the work- just restrict the rent i have to pay. and in order for the house to fail the inspection there has to be something that is affecting mine or my dcs health and i have to have proof!

OP posts:

Jan49 · 03/06/2013 22:10

Is it possible that they're the kind of locks that have standard keys that you can buy from a lockshop?

I'm curious about you setting up as a childminder there. The standard contract in England and Wales for tenants doesn't allow you to carry out a business. Did you have to get your landlord's permission?

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 03/06/2013 22:19

i have been advised by the social worker who will carry out my assessment that i must have my LL permission so i have asked LL and he said yes- he stipulated that i would have to show him my insurance which of course is no problem- i will have that once i am registered but i wont get registered if the windows aren't secured.

the window handles are just little gold levers with a black circle with a small slot for the key to go in.

OP posts:

HaveToWearHeels · 04/06/2013 09:44

If the windows will open, but there is provision to lock them I don't think you can hold the LL responsible for the key. If they were locked and you were unable to open them that is a different matter, as it is a health and safety issue.
To be honest the LL probably hasn't got the key, I was the third owner of a house and was given no keys for the windows. The property is rented out and we have never provided a key as we don't have one, we have never been asked to.
I think if you need window locks to become a child minder then I think you will need to invest the money yourself, your LL shouldn't have to assist with the cost of your business.
To put it bluntly if you came to me as a LL and asked if you could be a childminder I would not allow it as it is a residential let and even if I did I wouldn't provide you with window locks.

Alanna1 · 04/06/2013 09:50

Call shelter? I think not to the locks, but maybe to the fence...

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 04/06/2013 09:52

it doesn't really matter whether you would let me or not does it? i'm someone else's tenant and they are letting me so i'm not really sure why you felt the need to bluntly add that comment.

as i posted upthread i started this because my four year old son had opened the window last night and if he had chosen to climb onto the roof of the kitchen he could have done. this is a health and safety issue, or do you not think so? all the houses i have rented in the past have had the same type of windows and i had a key to lock them.

OP posts:

HaveToWearHeels · 04/06/2013 11:23

If the windows were permanently locked then they are a fire risk and that would be against the law. The fact that you can open them but not lock them is not against the law or you tenancy agreement.
If you have a child then you need to child proof your home not your LL. I wouldn't expect the developer to childproof my home, as a parent I would do that.
What I was trying to say with my comment was, you are lucky your LL is letting you use the house for a business so I think providing window locks to aid you to do this should be your responsibility, as will drawer locks and stair gates.
As your LL seems pretty useless and doing repairs, which I think is shocking BTW, I don't think he is going to suddenly supply you with a key unfortunately.
As someone has mentioned up thread, window locks are pretty standard and you can buy them in B&Q, maybe give that a try.

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 04/06/2013 13:32

"I wouldn't expect the developer to childproof my home, as a parent I would do that."

would you expect/accept the developer to fit windows with locks but not give you the keys?

i have childproofed my home, i have stairgates and socket covers and fireguards. i wouldn't expect the LL to supply any of that- however i rented a house with windows that lock- i didn't expect to have to refit locks when there are locks on the windows. that is ridiculous.

if i'm able to buy a set of keys then i'll do it. i think if there are windows that lock then the keys for those locks should be provided. but i will buy them.

i dont know if NI is different than england and wales but here it is very normal for people in rented homes to be childminders. both of my previous LLs were totally happy about the fact i would be CMing from the house (if i hadn't moved)- one got me quite a bit of information from her sister about what i would need to do to the house to make it suitable.

OP posts:

PigletJohn · 04/06/2013 13:54

window locks have fairly standard keys

It will be easier to track them down if you examine the lock, and especially around the keyhole, for any numbers or names.

See if your neighbours have similar locks and if so borrow and photograph the key. If you send this photo to a supplier, they can probably match it, especially if it has a number on it.

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 04/06/2013 13:56

thank you pigletjohn i'll give that a go.

OP posts:

marriednotdead · 04/06/2013 14:01

I lost my window keys a few years ago.

I ended up going to my local locksmith, depositing about £20 and taking one of each window key that he stocked home to try! It worked.

PigletJohn · 04/06/2013 14:07

here's one of the mail-order dealers, there are several.

It is always easier if you have a matching key.

HaveToWearHeels · 04/06/2013 14:30

suckmabigtoe actually the double glazing put in by the developer has locks in the handle, 17 windows, only one key provided, I simply purchased more. Simplest solution !

flow4 · 04/06/2013 14:42

I have lost mine, and haven't yet done anything about it, but the window company said that windows have fairly 'standard' locks (i.e. there are dozens not hundreds), and that you can pay a deposit to pretty much any window company and borrow a big bunch of keys, and try them all, until you find the right one(s). :)

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 04/06/2013 15:24

there is normally only 1 key provided. and that is my point- it was provided. and you had that one as a reference to get the others with. i only need 1. that is what comes with the windows when they are fitted. and yes these are the locks in the handles.

i've had a look and there are no numbers or names on any of the locks and none of the neighbours seem to have the same type, looking from the outside anyway- i will ask a few later when they're home if i could see the inside.

if no joy there i will try the hardware store and a local building company.

OP posts:

PigletJohn · 04/06/2013 16:01

when I buy windowlocks, they usually come with at least one key per lock, often two keys per lock.

doubtless the owner or tenants have lost the keys, or put them in a safe place, unless the installer pocketed the others or sold them on as spares.

ISeeSmallPeople · 04/06/2013 17:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

specialsubject · 04/06/2013 19:39

as an aside - you are entitled to contact details for your landlord. Make a formal request to the agent for them.

Original poster

suckmabigtoe · 04/06/2013 19:50

ok, i've had a look in a few of the neighbours (the ones i'm friendly with) but none have the same kind of windows- the houses are all old and have been renovated at one point or another by the owners.

i dont think i could take the lock out without damaging it or the handle. it sits flush with the handle and is a snug fit.

i'm going to try the building company first tomorrow.

i've considered getting in touch with LL myself but i dont want to come across as pestering so that they'll get fed up with me and want me out.

OP posts:

PigletJohn · 05/06/2013 07:38

take some photos of the lock and handle, someone in the window and lock trade will recognise it.

Very often, on plastic windows, the locking cylinder is built into the handle, and the handle is fixed with two screws (they may have plastic covers over the screw-heads that can be pried out). The handle usually has a square shaft that will pull out of the locking mechanism when you take the handle off.

MissTweed · 05/06/2013 07:50

Before Being in the property we live in now we were always in rented. If your windows open and close securely then no I don't think the landlord needs to supply them especially as its for your job. In my experience rented properties are shabby with crappy kitchens/bathrooms and cheap alliances etc. that's just the way it is (unless you pay loads extra for rent)
The house we live in now (we own) only has locks for some of the windows so I wouldn't expect it for rented

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