Ver Landlords

[kingandy]

Spoke to landlord's representatives re state of the flat. Sounds like everything will be addressed quickly enough bar some perculiarities.

Weirdness the First: Apparently before going on the market with Sanderson James, the flat was advertised by Edward Mellor. It turns out that Edward Mellor still have the keys - including apparently the only copy of the mailbox key - and for no reason that anyone can discern have a standard 28-day turnaround on going to the cupboard and getting the keys. So no post for a while then. Luckily the postbox is so full that any new post sticks out the top where we can fish it out. Unluckily, the postbox is so full that any new post sticks out the top where anyone can fish it out.

Weirdness the Second: The communal areas of the property used to be run by a Management Committee. Unfortunately not too long ago the chair of the committee died (!) and the committee disbanded. This means that currently nobody is responsible for cleaning or maintaining the communal areas - including the faulty lighting. In fact, this is the only reason we're even here; the landlord really wanted to sell the flat but apparently you cannot get a mortgage for a flat with no Management Committee so no bugger would buy it.

She seemed like a genuinely nice agent, though I think she didn't put the phone down properly; after hanging up I could hear her in the distance saying "Well! What a nice, friendly-" I guess they mostly have to deal with tenants shouting blue bloody murder about how they can't have a dog in the house or whatever.

ps SEND ME YOUR PHONE NUMBERS

Comments

[notdan.livejournal.com]

Could you go into the Edward Mellor offices, with proof of your tenancy, and tell them to give you your keys?

My phone number's on my facebook page, should you wish it.

[kingandy]

I should mention - SJ had copies of approx half the keys required for the house (to wit, the outer door, flat door and balcony door). What they didn't have were the keys to the postbox, meter cupboard and car park. We've acquired copies of the latter two from the nice gentleman upstairs but naturally he doesn't have a key to our postbox...

[notdan.livejournal.com]

The point still stands, though - I'm not convinced it's legal, and certainly not convinced it's proper, for them to be depriving you of keys that you clearly need.

[richc.livejournal.com]

In 28 days they will post you the keys......

[redhillian.livejournal.com]

I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to require your landlord/agent (or possibly the previous agent) to provide the keys to the postbox within a reasonable time (say, 48 hours) or a locksmith at their expense to gain access and re-secure the box for you (ie drill out the old lock, fit new).

Of course, IANAL - but...

Also: phone numbers here.