Land lord witholding deposit over spare keys

Stercus Accidit

I moved out of a place, my room mate signed a document saying the contract for tenancy was over and we moved out on time.

I still have a set of keys, the landlord wants to charge us rent, full rent for the time I've had these keys, a week up til now, and take it out of our deposit.

Is he allowed do this?

bobbiw

Not only can he do that, he can keep your whole deposit claiming that you prevented him renting to someone else for a month.

He can also pay to have the locks changed and either take that out of your deposit or send you a final invoice.

You are better getting the keys back to him as soon as possible, if someone breaks into the property or if there is any damage etc you would be the first suspect.

Best to cover yourself. But I would get the keys back asap. If it was me I would offer a locksmith to change the locks and see if he will return the full deposit.

Mr. Presentable

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

I moved out of a place, my room mate signed a document saying the contract for tenancy was over and we moved out on time.

I still have a set of keys, the landlord wants to charge us rent, full rent for the time I've had these keys, a week up til now, and take it out of our deposit.

Is he allowed do this?

Yes, of course! Why would you keep the keys for an apartment you don't live in?

Stercus Accidit

I wasnt able to return the keys, I rented through the roomate, who is the reason for this mess, as he didnt give them back.

Fair responce all the same, thanks for the info.

Carawaystick

i was under the impression a deposit was to cover damage over and above normal wear and tear. how much does a key cost <EUR5 anyway.
What if you "lost" the key at the start of the tenancy

probably should move this thread to accom and property - you'll get an answer there.

Mr. Presentable

Carawaystick wrote: »

i was under the impression a deposit was to cover damage over and above normal wear and tear. how much does a key cost <EUR5 anyway.
What if you "lost" the key at the start of the tenancy

probably should move this thread to accom and property - you'll get an answer there.

You're correct re the purpose of a deposit. But it's not a key. It is the keys to someone else's property so the locks would have to be changed also, thus the withholding of deposit.

Carawaystick

How much would a lock cost? EUR20? I've got a locksmith to call out and drill out and replace a lock barrel for EUR113.50 which I'd imagine is still less than a months deposit.

Threshold state "When you leave, your landlord must promptly return your deposit. The landlord may only keep some or all of the deposit to cover rent arrears or the costs of repairing any damage above normal wear and tear.

Remember your rent deposit belongs to you, not to the landlord."

What did the landlord or his agent say when he inspected the property as ye vacated it?

Stercus Accidit

Essentially that the place was in good nick, and that the deposit would be most likely returned.

The keys are back now, they were one week late as the roomate had them.


Odds are we will be able to sort it out amongst ourselves, thanks for the replies.