Updating post from Reddit.
Every now and then we have a tenant who lose their keys. The cost can vary greatly to change the lock and make new keys.
When supplying keys, we could add their phone number to a tag, can you think of any disadvantage of doing that? I know its a little tedious initially but shouldnt everyone do that?
I wouldn't want my personal details of any kind on a tag. You can use key tag return services for about £5 which are anonymous, and much more likely to result in returned keys because the person handing them in can get money for doing so.
I found these on Google: https://keyangel.co.uk
Don't do it, you're giving out people's personal information. This could lead to people being in dangerous/vulnerable situations.
Thanks, for advice.
I have my number on my keys. I had a load of dog tags made up years ago. If I ever lose them, I’d like to think someone might give me a ring. I think it’s a great idea.
Yes, someone I know might find the keys and recognise the number, or they search my number on the internet / WhatsApp tell them my name. But that doesn’t mean they know where I live. I think the likeliness of someone finding the keys, being the type of person to rob a house, and have access to my address just from my phone number, is very unlikely. I feel pretty safe I’m not getting robed any time soon.
Somone mentioned it’s a risk giving out peoples personal numbers. From what I understand you’re not. You’re giving the tenant a key with their own number attached. They could easily take if off it they’re worried.
A middle ground, have your own contact number or a letting agents number on. Explain if they wish to keep it on, it has the potential for the keys returned without the finder knowing which house the keys belong to, and would save them money not having to replace the locks.
"But that doesn’t mean they know where I live"
It really can, it's trivial with data brokers.
True. Someone, criminals or data brokers as you put it could, but I think the chances of someone with those connections or willing to pay for that information, not knowing the type of house or my daily routine and if the key is actually for my house or they would have the opportunity to use it are still slim. But I do agree there’s a small risk.
You don't even need data brokers in the UK - phone -> get name -> name + location found -> https://www.192.com/people/address-finder/ done.
My just pop an email address on it.
Just remembered how i found a bunch of keys, and there was a USB drive attached. Usb had owners details on it. Guy was overjoyed.
I'd just let tenants decide what they want to do, if they lose their keys regularly then they may decide to do something to prevent them paying costs to replace keys.
As a landlord you'll want to steer clear of personal data issues, you could suggest they look at services if they want to, but it feels like it would be overstepping, they're adults after all and I wouldn't want to tell people how to act or behave etc.
Can you supply a lockbox?
We fit lock boxes to our houses which we use to let them get in when they lose keys. Comes with it's own problems though.
What problems? Was thinking of doing that. Thought i could hide it a little as well.
Security - need to be decent boxes (Supra ones and fitted properly). Tenants can take keys and not return them to the box. Adds admin.
You could just add a tracker? Chipolo are decent