Please help - advice needed on issue with landlord & house key?

Hi, I moved out of my shared house with my flatmates. We all gave our keys back, only I had lost the bottom key from the front door (the second lock which no-one ever used). Anyway he has said he needs to get the lock replaced and will only use his locksmith. I have a carpenter friend who will do it for free, I begrudge forking out what will no doubt be a huge amount by the landlord to pay for his personal guy to come round when I can get just as good a job done for almost nothing as I have to get six keys cut aswell which will already cost me quite a bit. He can't take any money out of my deposit as it's in a deposit scheme but I refuse to spend this unnecessary money though he is not budging. Who is right? Many thanks for any advice.Please help - advice needed on issue with landlord %26amp; house key?
He certainly has the right to replace the lock. He is concerned about the safety of the future renters due to an unaccounted for key. It is somewhat picky since you might be returning the original but could have made and lost a dozen duplicates. You might point that out to him in your negotiation. A new lock doesn't guarantee increased security.





I doubt that he has the right to insist on only his locksmith but he does have the right to insist the work be done by a bonded locksmith. I assume your friend is not a bonded locksmith. I would suggest you get your own estimates to have the lock replaced and if the landlords price is fair then pay it or offer to contribute the price your estimate towards the landlords locksmiths fee. If he withholds more than that from your deposit take him to court.Please help - advice needed on issue with landlord %26amp; house key?
You are responsible for all the keys given to you, irrespective of whether or not you used them.





Therefore, your landlord is in the right and you will have to pay for the lock to be changed and the cutting of extra keys as necessary.





There is bound to be something in the terms and conditions of your tenancy relating to this.
Sorry but your landlord has the right to choose who he wants to work on his property. He will get in a firm to do a good job and give him a receipt. He does not know your friend and he could make a mistake and it could end up costing more. You lost the key you were given so he has every right to change the locks, this is standard policy on most tenancy's. Therefore the landlord has the last say in this and you will have to pay up.
The landlord is right.





If you were an unscrupulous person (which I am sure you are not) who is to say that he would get all the keys from whoever changed the lock? He wants to use a trusted tradesperson. It is his property and he is totally in the right in this instance.
you are right and you should get it done for free and then give him the keys or you could just spend like 5 dollars and get a new lock and only do it if your friend is trustworthy
Why can the landlord get another one cut from your flatmates? Its not as if the lock is the only one. He will not be getting any security issues. Stand your ground hes being difficult.
legally he can use his locksmith and if you refuse he can take you to small claims court im an apartment owner of three
the landlord...YOU lost the key, he didn't, it's HIS property, not yours...suck it up...be an adult and do whats right.
He is right. He wants to use the person he trusts. You've lost it so you pay for it. Simple.