My Tenants called me this evening to advice that they had gone on holiday and had turned the additional Chubb ‘holiday’ lock when they left. Upon return today, they could not get in the property as the key wont turn the “holiday” lock.
In addition, they could have gained entry via the back Patio doors but they did not take that key with them, furthermore, had left the patio key in the door so could not get access to the property with the spare keys they collected from my residence.
Where do I stand in terms of my responsibilities and potentially the cost of getting a locksmith to the property and resolve the issue?
I agree that its their negligence for the patio doors fiasco for leaving the keys in the door, however, the fact that one of the front door locks is not working as it should - wouldnt that be my responsibility to fix?
I have set their expectations straight that I wont be paying for any accommodation as they messed up on the alternative entry point which would have got them in the property.
so if not been used for a long time it must have stuck, Tricky one They could have checked it worked before they left . On the other hand it should have come up in your inspections
I assume you are not in a position to go down with some 3 in 1 oil and give the lock a try yourself?
If not, then unless the lease says differently, it is very likely your responsibility to keep locks maintained, so yours also, to pay for locksmith. (I oil my locks when I do my routine inspections).
(BTW, Im surprised the Chubb lock is used infrequently. I thought most insurers would want it used whenever leaving the home).