Who pays?

[breathe21]

My tennant was broken into last night and had his car keys/house keys plus car taken. Thankfully he was unharmed. The police were informed and they advised him to get locks changed on property. Front and back will need changing as both keys have been taken. Who is liable for the cost of this, me or the tennant? thanks

[ummmm]

You, it's your house.

[factor-fiction]

Is it insured?

[factor-fiction]

The car is his problem though

[Graham-W]

I would have thought this would have been covered by your "Landlords Insurance".
You do have "Landlords Insurance", don't you?

[ummmm]

Is it worth claiming on insurance? The excess would probably cover it.

[lcg]

him.....it is the same as if he locked himself out. he can claim on his household insurance if he wishes as it was a burglary and theft took place.

[breathe21]

hi yes i do have landlords insurance, not sure what excess is will check it out. I just wondered where i stood due to him having the keys on same fob as car key

[lcg]

theft of keys is covered by most landlord insurance.

[Le Chat]

As a lettings agent, I would suggest you have a good read of the AST and see if it is referred to in there.
If I were the tenant, I would just get the locks changed myself.

[nextqueen]

Can't you say you are willing to pay half? you need to ensure his safety but at the same time i suppose he endangered his safety in a way by having house keys on car keys?

[lcg]

it makes no difference, as most people put their house keys and car keys together. i would make him check out his insurance policy first - i don't see why you should pay excess or have your policy go up if he can sort it out through his insurance.

[ummmm]

If he pays can he take the locks with him when he leaves?

[Old_Geezer]

A few quid on door locks ? Small change. You can take it out of the profit you make on next month's rent. You can probably even get a professional to do it for you for less than £100.

[breathe21]

I was quoted £350 for 3 locks! Then I rang a small firm they have been out changed all locks and it was £85! Jobs a good un I'm happy and so is the tennant :)

[Twenty20]

Sounds like you paid for them yourself? Would you pay again, out of your own pocket, if the tenant lost the new set of keys too? How many times would you be prepared to pay out for something which is the tenants responsibility?

If the tenant is short of cash and can't or wont pay, then you could offer to get it done and deduct the amount from the tenant's deposit when he/she leaves.

If the tenant loses something it's their responsibility not yours.