Can I change the locks on my rental property

B_Blank

Thinking of taking a place but had some bad experience with landlords thinking they can come into my house.

My question is can I legally take a place and then change the locks without asking/telling the landlord? I could then maybe change the locks back when my tenancy is over?

Thanks

BitterAndTwisted

Yes you can but don't change the locks, just change the barrels it's much cheaper and you can do it yourself with a screwdriver.

Considering how many people, none of whom you know, could have a set of keys to your home I think it's a sensible thing to do.

B_Blank

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Yes you can but don't change the locks, just change the barrels it's much cheaper and you can do it yourself with a screwdriver.

Considering how many people, none of whom you know, could have a set of keys to your home I think it's a sensible thing to do.

Sorry but whats the difference between changing the locks and the barrell? Isnt it the same thing?

BitterAndTwisted

No, it isn't and the difference is about £60

Geenie

What does your AST say? If it states you as the tenant shouldn't change the locks without prior consent, then this is what you should do. You can't complain if the LL doesn't do things they are supposed to in the AST, if you are doing like wise.

If your home is being invaded unreasonably, report and tell them of your rights and if necessary move. Both sides have to adhere to what they agreed to in the AST. The OP hasn't even given the new LL a chance, but judged on a previous. This action could sour what might turn out to be a very good LL.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Geenie wrote: »

What does your AST say? If it states you as the tenant shouldn't change the locks without prior consent, then this is what you should do. You can't complain if the LL doesn't do things they are supposed to in the AST, if you are doing like wise.

If your home is being invaded unreasonably, report and tell them of your rights and if necessary move. Both sides have to adhere to their rights and what they agreed to in the AST.

How would a LL even know the locks had been changed unless he attempted to gain access? A tenants privacy would be more highly regarded than an unenforceable tenancy term.

B_Blank

Geenie wrote: »

What does your AST say? If it states you as the tenant shouldn't change the locks without prior consent, then this is what you should do. You can't complain if the LL doesn't do things they are supposed to in the AST, if you are doing like wise.

If your home is being invaded unreasonably, report and tell them of your rights and if necessary move. Both sides have to adhere to what they agreed to in the AST. The OP hasn't even given the new LL a chance, but judged on a previous. This action could sour what might turn out to be a very good LL.

If a LL came in and I wasnt expecting him what could I do to make him leave? Could I treat him as a home invader or do I have to let him stay? COuld I say leave or I call the police and if he keeps coming in can I physically restrain him?

BitterAndTwisted

Landlords and their agents have been known to write absurdly unenforceable and nonsensical clauses into ASTs, so just because a clause is there does not mean that a tenant can be held to it.

I'd change the barrels without thinking twice about it. There could be dozens of previous unreliable tenants and their dodgy mates out there with a copy of the keys.

Eton_Rifle

I'd want to change the barrels too but be aware that if the landlord is indeed coming round surreptitiously then you're probably going to get your marching orders as soon as is possible according to the terms of your rental agreement - because he is going to find out and he's not going to like it.

I don't know which situation is worse for you, seems like you're caught between a rock and a hard place and only you can judge which is the bigger risk.

Geenie

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

How would a LL even know the locks had been changed unless he attempted to gain access? A tenants privacy would be more highly regarded than an unenforceable tenancy term.

Perhaps the LL needed to gain access because the place was empty for a period and being flooded, as we experienced recently?!!


Seriously, the tosh being posted on here about LL's only wanting to spy or interfere, when more then often they want to look after their property is getting to be quite frankly a joke.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Geenie wrote: »

Perhaps the LL needed to gain access because the place was empty for a period and being flooded, as we experienced recently?!!


Seriously, the tosh being posted on here about LL's only wanting to spy or interfere, when more then often they want to look after their property is getting to be quite frankly a joke.

If flooding is such a major issue for you, perhaps you should re-evaluate your routine maintanence provision. The idea any more than a tiny minority of rental properties floods in any given year is far more of a joke. Perhaps, in the spirit of mutual regard for each others homes, landlords could also give the tenants a spare key to THEIR home????? Thought not.