Would you leave your keys with a neighbour you didn't know very well?

[stargirl04]

Hi,

The management company that deals with my flat (I'm the leaseholder) wants access so that a plumber can find the source of a leak that's emerged in the flat below.

I called a plumber out as soon as the neighbour that lives below me notified me of the problem, but my plumber could not find the source of any leak in my flat.

The management company want a second opinion and want to send their own plumber round, which I am fine with.

However, I've waited in all day today - having been told that the plumber would attend today or early tomorrow morning - and he has not shown up. Nor have the plumber or the management company been in touch to notify me of what is going on.

The problem is, I don't have any close friends or family nearby to let a workman into my property and I live alone. I can't take time off work at short notice as I am freelance and do not get paid if I don't show up.

In addition, I'm going away for a few days this weekend to see a friend who is recovering from cancer, and then to spend a few days with my sister, who is being treated for cancer too, and do not want to cancel my plans. I've also spent a lot of money on travel tickets and hotels (the friend lives at the other end of the country and I'm staying in a hotel as she has cats and I'm allergic to them.)

I told the management company earlier today that I am happy to hand over my keys to them so that they can gain access while I'm away but they don't seem to want to do that.

I rang my insurer, who said that if I were to leave my keys with the neighbour who has the leak, it would not affect my insurance in that it would not invalidate any subsequent claim, should a burglary occur, for example.

Which seems reasonable and it is good to know that I'm covered. However, I have only met this neighbour on four or five occasions previously and while he seems decent, polite and gainfully employed, I feel uncomfortable handing over my flat keys to him as I don't know him well enough.

He lives with his brother, who also seems nice.
But what is to stop them having a copy of my key made?

The water isn't gushing down his wall, his wall is just a bit damp, and while I sympathise, the problem could wait a few days until I get back to town.

I really want to help but am wondering: would you leave your keys with a virtual stranger in these circumstances?

All advice appreciated. Thanks.

Just get the management agents to pull their finger out and take your keys to give to the plumber. They are paid to manage and this sort of thing is within their remit.

I can't see any reason why you should be obligated to leave your keys with a relative stranger. Just go back to the management company and say sorry, you're unable to do that and what do they suggest? This is their problem, not yours.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

Wowfudge - my insurer says that the management company can't just hand over the keys to the plumber. Someone from the management company has to be present while the work is carried out by the plumber and can't leave the keys with the plumber to post through the letterbox.

If they are not present throughout all of the work - which could take a couple of hours - my insurance is then invalid.

I told the management company earlier today that I am happy to hand over my keys to them so that they can gain access while I'm away but they don't seem to want to do that.

You stayed in all day today. You have volunteered your keys while you are away but they have refused them.
As I see it, you have done all you can and they can wait for your return.

It's all a bit worrying though, the agents don't sound very good.

The agents are rubbish Senua.

They say the only person who could feasibly take my keys is their handyman for my particular development, who is a contractor and who I've met before and like.

However, he is so busy I don't see how he'd be able to remain in my flat for 1 to 2 hours while the work is completed, and frankly, I would worry about this.

Okay - you didn't mention about the insurance issue with the agent and they are getting a second opinion rather than carrying out work. The handyman is their handyman so the obvious answer is that he attends. It's not your concern that he's so busy. Frankly if the agents can't get their plumber there as planned then it's up to them to find a solution. Why would you worry about it? I don't understand.

Personally I wouldn't allow anyone access to my home without me being there - full stop. They need to work around you. Give them a few times when you are at home and available. It's that simple.