management agency problem help please

Hope someone can help me . My management agent is holding my keys because i am refusing to pay an outstanding bill, as I do not agree I owe him anything- is this legal or can I demand my keys back?

 What is a management agency? Rental agency?

Why not just change the locks? 

I would think that this would be a good idea anyway, if you have issues with the agent and are going to change them.  You don't know how many copies are out there!

There most be a reason why they think you owe them money. You should attempt to find out what it is

a property management company?

Of course they cannot retain your keys. Whatever the dispute is,, he cannot deprive you for entering your property. That is tecnically a " crime".

In practical terms I would just change the lock and.... the management company too :)

Thanks for this information.  The problem is he has all the keys for the property , he had new ones cut because he said some had gone missing. so I'm not sure how we can get in to change locks? Do I need a lawyer to act on my behalf?

I understand that other owners are having similar problems, and theletting agency has suggested they will get a  debt recovery agency involved- anybody had similar experiences?

I am very new to letting my property so I find this site most helpful- thanks.

Surely the must be monies owing otherwise they would not take this stance there seems to be more here than you are telling us.

You should pay a visit to the local police station
 

He holds rent collected from the tenants - holiday lets- and is saying that I owe him more than the income, for his services, cleaning and keyholding. He has not provided me with any   proof of purchases ,eg light bulbs etc, so I will not pay the extras. He does hold a considerable  amount of  income - (over2000 eur) which I argue he should have paid to me over the year.

As I said before I would get the local Police involved to get the keys bach then ask him to provide proof of expenses he has incurred, it does seem that he is charging you a lot of money to manage the property most agents would have charged 10 to 20% of rental but should have paid you the balance, check you agency agreement.