Can I take a locksmith with me?
10:43 AM, 10th August 2013, 13 years ago
55
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I have purchased a property recently but have no keys for it.
The previous landlord says she cant find them.
I have tried to contact the tenant on several occasions but with no joy.
If I give her 24 hours notice in writing that I intend to visit the property to have the boiler checked for a Gas Safety Certificate am I entitled to force entry if i am refused?
I look forward to hearing from you
Regards
Tony
Tags:
Advice requested by readers, discussion, Forum, gas safety, Gas Safety Certificate, Landlords, Property, questions, readers question, Readers Questions, tenants
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Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 323 - Articles: 1
5:40 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Adam Hosker” at “10/08/2013 – 13:12”:
Totally agree with Adam, my policy is: if tenants can’t trust me with the key then I can’t trust tenant and I serve notice in what ever is the appropriate form. End of.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 97
5:43 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Howard Reuben” at “11/08/2013 – 11:02”:
i change locks every time a tenant leaves, but i do not fit new one, i always carry a stock of spare lock, so they get rotated around.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12196 - Articles: 1396
5:47 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “andrew townshend” at “12/08/2013 – 17:43”:
I do that too Howard
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Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 381 - Articles: 61
6:26 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “andrew townshend” at “12/08/2013 – 17:43”:
Excellent – the best ideas are always the obvious (which I have clearly overlooked on this occasion!) Thanks!
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 113
6:38 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
The tennant was on a periodic tennacy , i have managed to get contact with her and she as signed a new ast with me ,is this ast legal or what can i do to make it legal ,incase of any problems in future regards ts
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 883
6:43 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
It is legal (assuming periodic tenancy was also an AST).
Do not forget to re-protect the deposit, if any, and to give prescribed information within the first 30 days of that new tenancy.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12196 - Articles: 1396
6:57 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Romain ” at “12/08/2013 – 18:43”:
Romain, it is a pleasure to have somebody with your knowledge contributing to the forum. Please update your member profile, add an Avatar and tell us more about yourself. It is possible to do that without giving away your identity if course, if that’s a problem for you.
.
Comments: 126 - Articles: 2
7:57 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
Landlord has a right to enter for repairs (section 16, HA1988) or to view the condition (section 11, L&T1985). I think the latter applies here.
It requires at least 24 hours written notice. If the tenant refuses access then the landlord must withdraw and (if he chooses) apply to the court for access.
If tenant does not refuse but a locksmith is required and the locks are changed, then obviously the tenant has an immediate right to keys.
In the case of a gas check, that shouldn’t be necessary – a sturdy paper-trail proving the landlords attempts to conduct the check should be sufficient to pacify the HSE if they get involved.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12196 - Articles: 1396
8:08 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
As I first thought then?
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Member Since September 2011 - Comments: 882 - Articles: 30
9:03 PM, 12th August 2013, About 13 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Mark Alexander” at “12/08/2013 – 09:45”:
OP – Original Poster. I have no grandchildren Mark, my youngest daughter keeps me in tune with her generation.
Follow me on Twitter@landlordtweets
My book, where I warn about the storm clouds that are gathering for landlords is here >>> http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1484855337