Don’t know exactly where you’re located, but checkout www.presciouspetsva.com I know the owner, and have frequently talked to her as she is out driving through snowstorms to walk dogs her employees can’t get too.
Signed something or other and Changing Locks question
[QUOTE=littleum;6625468]
- Fire her. NOW.[/QUOTE]
I am meeting a potential new dogwalker tomorrow. Then I’m away for work so for the next week, I need the current walker.
[QUOTE=Bacardi1;6625062]It’s a pain in the ass, but I ditto everyone who says “no notice, fire in person, insist on return of keys, & CHANGE LOCKS!!!”.
(Oh - & definitely try to have some sort of signed paper trail re: final transactions. This is always important in case something comes back to try & bite you in the a**.)[/QUOTE]
Bold mine: I thought about this. What should I draft up for her to sign at firing? What if it is her sub?
I felt obligated to give notice but everyone is right: she can be terminated without notice and that is safest for me and my pups.
Changing locks will be a royal PITA. Have to tell the landlord whom I’m sure will be alarmed. I worry landlord may forbid any dogwalker if I say, “gotta change the locks cuz I fired the old dogwalker.” I’ve never changed locks before.
You have to hire a locksmith?
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;6626403]
Changing locks will be a royal PITA. Have to tell the landlord whom I’m sure will be alarmed. I worry landlord may forbid any dogwalker if I say, “gotta change the locks cuz I fired the old dogwalker.” I’ve never changed locks before. You have to hire a locksmith?[/QUOTE]
Hmmm - that IS a tough one. While I’m not normally an advocate for purposely lying, what if you just tell the landlord that you lost your keys & won’t feel safe unless you have the locks changed?? Just a little “white” lie that’s not hurting anybody. And the “feeling safe” part is true.
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;6626403]
Changing locks will be a royal PITA. Have to tell the landlord whom I’m sure will be alarmed. I worry landlord may forbid any dogwalker if I say, “gotta change the locks cuz I fired the old dogwalker.” I’ve never changed locks before. You have to hire a locksmith?[/QUOTE]
Depends on the locks - I changed all the locks when I bought my house, and it was a pretty simple task (locking knobs, not deadbolts) - just basic screwdriver work. Heavier duty systems (those fancy pitcher handles with deadbolts attached, etc) might need a locksmith. If you can do it yourself, check with the landlord, and offer to pay for the new hardware (and get decent mid-range stuff).
[QUOTE=bdj;6626811]
Depends on the locks - I changed all the locks when I bought my house, and it was a pretty simple task (locking knobs, not deadbolts) - just basic screwdriver work. Heavier duty systems (those fancy pitcher handles with deadbolts attached, etc) might need a locksmith. If you can do it yourself, check with the landlord, and offer to pay for the new hardware (and get decent mid-range stuff).[/QUOTE]
I don’t think the OP’s problem is “doing it”; it’s telling the landlord why she wants to/has to. Read her post - she feels the landlord will be nervous re: dogwalkers having keys. And if her lease states that she has to advise the landlord of lock changes, she can’t just do it without telling them.
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;6626403]
Changing locks will be a royal PITA. Have to tell the landlord whom I’m sure will be alarmed. I worry landlord may forbid any dogwalker if I say, “gotta change the locks cuz I fired the old dogwalker.” I’ve never changed locks before. You have to hire a locksmith?[/QUOTE]
ooo… and did you violate your lease agreement by giving the dog walker keys? (I had a lease once where it stipulated I couldn’t give keys to anyone not already on the lease) STICKY!
I’m not a big fan of lying but in this case a little fib (Okay, it’s a lie of some proportions) might be the best choice. Assuming your landlord isn’t going to ask for things like police reports and things signed and stuff like that.
Landlord knows about the dogwalker and the key she has. Per contract, I cannot change locks without landlord’s permission.
The landlord lives in the home. I live in the basement unit of that home. There is a staircase to the main level/her home which I use to do laundry. She has told me she locks the staircase door -just a dinky interior door/lock- during the weekday hours since I have a dogwalker that we don’t really know. She seems allllll about security.
To have the lock changed/re-keyed, I need landlord permission. To recap, I’m afraid if I tell landlord I need to change locks because I’m changing dogwalkers, she’ll say no dogwalkers.
Well, you probably don’t need to change the locks. We are all being paranoid. Since dogwalker moved farther away (right?) it’s unlikely she’d bother to come back to harass you. Sounds like she’s a jerk but not a criminal or psycho.
But again - why can’t you just tell her - sheepishly - that you lost a set of your keys, & for safety’s sake - both yours & hers - would like to have the locks changed?
[QUOTE=Guin;6627061]
Well, you probably don’t need to change the locks. We are all being paranoid. Since dogwalker moved farther away (right?) it’s unlikely she’d bother to come back to harass you. Sounds like she’s a jerk but not a criminal or psycho.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, you’re probably right. If the OP is comfortable with it, she should just make sure she gets ALL keys back from dogwalker & her “sub”. And really, I’m assuming said dogwalker, since she has her own business that involves entering peoples homes, is insured & bonded?
I really don’t see how lying to the LL is warranted. We are worried about security b/c the walker is being let go but I haven’t read anything that makes me think tjhis is more than just a precaution. In fact, I think the OP should still be looking to handle this amicably.
Consider this home is the LL’s not the OP’s. She has a right to have her property kept secure and to be informed about service provider changes. Since there is no particular reason to think the property is at risk there is no reason for the LL to get upset. I would just ask her and let her feel like it’s her decision : "My dog walker is instituting a new contract that’s a bit much and has indicated I’m to far away so I’m getting someone new who is closer and more reasonably priced. Do you have the locks changed in circumstances like that? I’m happy to pay for it if that’s the procedure. " If she asks if there’s a concern emphasize you have no reason think so but don’t mind having the locks changed just for peace of mind b/c the world is a whacky place.
My experience with renting is if you treat the LL w/ lots of consideration they will work w/you. Keep in mind, no one living there wins if the dogs aren’t getting out!
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;6626403]
I am meeting a potential new dogwalker tomorrow. Then I’m away for work so for the next week, I need the current walker.
Bold mine: I thought about this. What should I draft up for her to sign at firing? What if it is her sub?
I felt obligated to give notice but everyone is right: she can be terminated without notice and that is safest for me and my pups.
Changing locks will be a royal PITA. Have to tell the landlord whom I’m sure will be alarmed. I worry landlord may forbid any dogwalker if I say, “gotta change the locks cuz I fired the old dogwalker.” I’ve never changed locks before. You have to hire a locksmith?[/QUOTE]
As a landlord, I’d have no problem with a renter telling me they would like to rekey locks at their expense, given the situation. As long as they pay for it and I get copies of the key, it would be fine.
You can also just tell the landlord that you know someone who had a burglary, and they think a former tenant or someone with a key did it. As long as you offer to get a new lock and deadbolt set, get spare keys made, then you can change them out by yourself. If there is more than one outside door they sell combo packs of two matching knob/deadbolt sets at the store with the same key. It won’t cost much, and only take a few minutes to change out (remember to have the curved part of the latch towards the strike plate that is on the door frame or it doesn’t latch-bet you can’t guess how I figured that out). And knobs/locks do wear out, so if it’s time to replace them, and you offer to pay, then the landlord shouldn’t have any objections.
Meeting potential dogwalker tonight & Frankenstorm
[QUOTE=HillnDale;6627241]
Since there is no particular reason to think the property is at risk there is no reason for the LL to get upset. I would just ask her and let her feel like it’s her decision : "My dog walker is instituting a new contract that’s a bit much and has indicated I’m to far away so I’m getting someone new who is closer and more reasonably priced. Do you have the locks changed in circumstances like that? I’m happy to pay for it if that’s the procedure. "[/QUOTE]
This is perfect. Why didn’t I think of that! That’s why COTH rocks. I am meeting with the potential new dogwalker tonight. I thinking I need 1. copy of his driver’s license. 2. contract stating rate, hours dogs will be walked, cancellation policy, emergency vet treatment authorization with $ limit, payment process. Anything else?
Storm
For anyone following along, I leave tomorrow morning for Boston with my return flight home Tues night. Cross yer paws this storm won’t be half as bad as the media is reporting :no:.
Fortunately, my sister says she can stay at my house until Thurs if need be. Last night, a dog friend volunteered out of the blue to take care of my dogs if the storm grounds me in Boston and insisted I add all of her info to the instructions for my sis. :sadsmile: I love dog people.
Landlord is also traveling up the East Coast this weekend so we may both get stuck! The neighbors rock and I’m sure will keep an eye on things.
[QUOTE=Bacardi1;6626820]
I don’t think the OP’s problem is “doing it”; it’s telling the landlord why she wants to/has to. Read her post - she feels the landlord will be nervous re: dogwalkers having keys. And if her lease states that she has to advise the landlord of lock changes, she can’t just do it without telling them.[/QUOTE]
As I read the OP’s post, she was asking if one needed to hire a locksmith to change locks. I was simply sharing my personal experience that it isn’t a terribly difficult job, and that one may not need to hire a locksmith.
And I didn’t suggest that she change the locks without landlord’s permission - that’s why I said “check with your landlord and offer to pay for it”…
I did read the OP’s post, and that’s why I quoted her - I’m actually pretty good at reading for comprehension.
OP -sorry to derail - and good luck with the travels - glad your sister can handle dogsitting duties for you in case things get hairy. Crossing everything that I’ve got that we don’t get hit bad!
As it stands now, OP doesn’t have a signed contract with the dogwalker anyways as in…never has so why the need for a “signed paper trail?” It’s a service being provided without a contract or written agreement for anything. You hired her for services (without a written agreement,) and now you’re not. If you simply must have something in writing, I guess you could put “As of this date ______, Joe Smith Dogwalker ceases all services provided to OP. No obligations for business have been stated, written, or implied.”
Get the key back AND change the locks. LL rarely have an issue with tenant changing locks as long as tenant gives LL the head’s up and provides LL with a key.
Just because you get the key back doesn’t mean a copy wasn’t made.
We had a recent incident with a colorful character (think…crayola crazy character) who returned the key to our main gates on our farm…and then we had the locks changed.
[QUOTE=bdj;6628406]
As I read the OP’s post, she was asking if one needed to hire a locksmith to change locks.
I did read the OP’s post, and that’s why I quoted her - I’m actually pretty good at reading for comprehension.
OP -sorry to derail - and good luck with the travels - glad your sister can handle dogsitting duties for you in case things get hairy. Crossing everything that I’ve got that we don’t get hit bad![/QUOTE]
I ask lots of questions/angles in my posts. I think of every possibility!
Yes I was also asking about the ‘how to’s’ of changing locks as I have never done that before. Googled local locksmiths and ‘how to rekey a lock.’ I think I’ll leave it to the expert! When googling locksmiths, one 2 miles from me has multiple complaints filed to the BBB and is under investigation for fraud. :eek:
My plan is to fire dogwalker in person in 1 week. Don’t know if I’ll have her sign something. In the mean time, ask landlord if she wants me to change the lock.
*On the memo line of the paycheck ‘Cease XYZ dogwalking service.’ Maybe that’s all the written statement I need.
One thing you NEED to know from the new person is this: is s/he bonded and insured and properly licenced. You do not need to know about a contract as you are hiring a service on a day to day basis. Think of it as getting a haircut or getting a vehicle fixed - you enter the place of business and, by law, the business must be licenced and all is displayed including little signs saying all our service personnel are bonded and licenced. You would NEVER think of giving your hairdresser or mechanic notice that you are not coming back for whatever reason, you just do not make the next appointment. Conversely, those people never let YOU know they are retiring or moving. If you insist upon a contract, make sure it leaves you a clear out, room to change the walker’s show-up time and to cancel completely for one day to any number of days depending on your schedule. You never give stat holiday pay nor do you contribute to vacation pay for anyone self-employed as a service contractor; that person is responsible for those things.
As to changing locks, easy peasy, lemon squeezy - most standard lock sets fit any door, same with standard deadbolt sets. The holes in the doors are standard and the inner workings can be adjusted somewhat to fit slight variations in doors. The biggest problem comes with oddball doors that are thicker or thinner than normal or those weird configurations that have the knob in the centre of the door (what ARE they thinking?). I can change a lockset in a few minutes, but if the door is hooped, I am in deep trouble
If you want to change the locks, you don’t need to rekey them - you just replace the whole knob, keyed part included! It really isn’t hard - just takes a few minutes with a screwdriver. (I did it totally on my own, though having a second set of hands could have been useful.) You can get the whole kit and kaboodle at your local hardware store - you can usually get 2 knob sets in a package, and there’s a code printed on the back of it that will let you find additional sets at the store (if you need them) that are keyed the same.
It’ll be like this: http://www.lowes.com/pd_399131-51800-TF800_0__?productId=3799031&Ntt=keyed+entry+door+knob
I had considered hiring our local locksmith to come out and totally redo all of my doors when I bought my house, but upgrading and adding deadbolts was going to cost way more than I was able to spend at the time, so I just replaced all of the knobs on my own as a stopgap solution until I could afford the pros - of course, it’s been 3 years now, and I haven’t had the locksmiths out yet, so my quick-fix has been pretty satisfactory!
Agree with HydroPHILE that you might not really need a signed contract that ends services, but writing “Final payment for dogwalking services” or something on your check is a good CYA move.
Oh, and good luck with potential new dogwalker meeting!
Changing locks is super easy, but if you have more than 2 doors to change, then you’ll want to hire a locksmith to just rekey so all of the locks match. It sucks, as a landlord to have rental homes with different keys. I key all of my homes so one key works all of the doors in the house.
