URGENT advice needed. Letting agent threatening to change locks on my door

jjlandlord

mchale wrote: »

What if its a upvc door????

OP has had a five lever lock professionally fitted, at her own costs, following advice from the police.

She probably intends to let it there when she moves out, in which case I believe her landlord should actually thank her.

anselld

propertyman wrote: »

Apologies for contradicting you but that is incorrect. If the tenancy allows for viewings in the last month, then the landlord has a contractual right to it, as has the tenant to meet it. That is settled law.

However if the tenant refuses access, then the landlord can apply for a court order to gain access, and may claim damages for loss of rent as posted earlier. What the court decides will depend on the tenancy wording and the circumstances.

A wise tenant should ask for restrictions on the clause such as not after 7pm not on Sundays etc.

Thanks, it was not my understanding but I am happy to be corrected if that is the case.

As it relates to the original issue it would still not imply any obligation to provide a key. The tenant could still facilitate repairs and viewings by providing access at a convenient time.

jjlandlord

propertyman wrote: »

A wise tenant should ask for restrictions on the clause such as not after 7pm not on Sundays etc.

A court will always look at what the reasonable behaviour would be.
Even if the clause only states that the tenant allows visits after a notice, the tenant will be safe imposing reasonable restrictions.

mchale

jjlandlord wrote: »

OP has had a five lever lock professionally fitted, at her own costs, following advice from the police.

Immaterial, did tenant get permission to fit it ?

neverdespairgirl

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Why don't you simply do as they ask and contact them and explain what happened? Why go on the offensive?

Because, perhaps, their initial contact is so outrageous and unlawful?

t0rt0ise

It's a choice really then isn't it. Either go guns all blazing and threatening this and that and be prepared to move, or tread a bit more carefully and stay put. Depends what the OP wants the outcome to be how they should behave. I thought to start with that they wanted to stay and have the contract renewed for another year but now it seems that they don't so that's fine, give them a mouthful and move on.

may_fair

mchale wrote: »

What if its a upvc door????

I admit that I am not familiar with UPVC doors. Is it the case that replacing a lock on a UPVC door may irreperably damage the entire door and require its replacement?

oldbaldman

Locks on doors, generally speaking, slot out and the replacement slots in. Unless the structure of the door had to be altered in some way, then no damage or alteration would be caused. It is possible that at the end of the tenancy the LL may require the door to be returned as was, even though in it's state at that time it may be more secure and less of a risk. Nowt so queer as folk.

obm

mchale

oldbaldman wrote: »

Locks on doors, generally speaking, slot out and the replacement slots in. Unless the structure of the door had to be altered in some way, then no damage or alteration would be caused. It is possible that at the end of the tenancy the LL may require the door to be returned as was, even though in it's state at that time it may be more secure and less of a risk. Nowt so queer as folk.

obm

Agreed, but this is a additional lock that has been fitted.

jjlandlord

mchale wrote: »

Immaterial, did tenant get permission to fit it ?

Not immaterial at all!
I'm talking in regards to deposit deductions here: What OP did is an improvement and the landlord has no claim of damage or loss as long as OP hands over the set of keys when the tenancy ends.