tenant changing the locks - wrong?

tbs624

cran81 - what is given out on this forum is opinion, suggestion, etc not "advice" ( see forum rules) - always seek your own confirmation of forum posts via Shelter, the local Council's private sector tenancy relations officer or a LL & T specilaist lawyer etc ( you can get a fixed fee appontment or you may qualify for help with fees via Community Legald Advice.)

Ignore the irritable responses - other posters weren't there at the time and it is clear that you were intimidated. Very few people would go for the "arrest me and we'll sort it later " approach in reality.

The fact remains that many police officers *are* poorly trained in LL & T matters - it is not a question of simply saying "why should they be knowledgeable about LL& T issues - it's a civil matter", police officers should be fully au fait with what constitues a criminal act by either/both LL & T. Those who answer 999 calls are usually civilian workers & they should keep their personal opinions to themselves - it is irrelevant what a call receipt jobsworth has in his her own tenancy agreement

ATRO (the association of tenancy relations officers) runs courses for the police in some areas and some forces seemed to have upped their game a bit after the Naughton case, linked to by PoPounds above.

Get the barrel of the lock changed ( but do keep the original to replace when you exit this tenancy) and get some support from the local TRO:. Let them know about the police officers' inadequacies and also make a formal complaint to the police. Were either of the officers who attended Specials?

SuzieSue

tbs624 wrote: »

Ignore the irritable responses - other posters weren't there at the time and it is clear that you were intimidated. Very few people would go for the "arrest me and we'll sort it later " approach in reality.

OP, this is spot on. You did what a lot of people would have done in your position, so just ignore the people telling you otherwise and follow the constructive advice in the last few replies.

jimjames

RAS wrote: »

This is the second time in a fiortnight that the police have given totally erroneous advice to a poster on MSE.

What worries me cran is that your LL now thinks he has the right to enter the house when he wants.

It also concerns me that you have a couple of idiots at the local police station who have written up a report confirming that false advice.

i think you need to print out weverythign you can get on this (shelter and the links from pop) and ask to speak to someone pretty senior. Point out very nicely that their officers gave the completely incorrect advice to you and your LL and this needs correcting.

If they did arrest you, they could be sued for false imprisonment by the way.

You only have to see reports after various incidents to see that a lot of police have no real idea on the law. Many people would expect that the police would have a good knowledge of the reasons they could arrest someone, the reality is somewhat different. As a photographer it is extremely common to be stopped for "illegally taking a photo" when there is no such offence if you are in a public place.

I'd expect that if they did even think about arrest for lock changes they would call the station and get corrected by a superior before that happened.

Werdnal

Don't get me started on the inadequacies of the modern police force!

My brother is a shift worker, and takes his dog out in his van to the local common (10 minute drive) for his last walk of the day any time between midnight and 1.00am. He has been randomly stopped 3 times in the last fortnight by a patrol car (not at the common but at various main road points on his journey), had his van checked over, PNC check done and been asked various questions. Last time was last week, and on asking why he is continually stopped, the officer replied "He was acting suspiciously". When brother replied "since when is taking my dog out suspicious", they replied "You should walk your dog at a more reasonable hour" - !!!!!!!!!!! Didn't know there was a dog walking curfew!

DVardysShadow

whisper7832 wrote: »

I think what OP means is that the advice they were given on here was wrong - the police checked the locks were still the same ones. How can other posters still advise changing when cran81 would have been in trouble if they had.

The police have no right to check locks. Absolutely none. All these morons are any good for is beating people over the head with a truncheon and supporting the rich and powerful.

suited-aces

Write to the police station who responded and ask them to confirm their stance that you would be breaking the law.

DVardysShadow

suited-aces wrote: »

Write to the police station who responded and ask them to confirm their stance that you would be breaking the law.

You would probably become a marked man if you did.

gRoberts

Am I getting confused when "it is a criminal offence to cause damage whilst changing the locks" conflicts with having a deposit to cover damages during the tenancy agreement?

Not only that, but up until the end of the tenancy agreement, the tenants could completely trash the house so long as the property is in similar condition (excluding fair wear and tear) to what it was at the start?

Does that not mean that the police cannot actually enforce criminal damage until after the tenancy has ended?

dt3887

bris wrote: »

This is a troll, the 999 operator would not get into a discussion regarding this, there would be no need to dial 999 and the police would not be stupid enough to charge anyone with changing locks.
please don't feed the troll

sounds more like YOU are the troll bris.

OP, as said above, you are more than entitled to change the locks so long as they are returned back to what you got them as when you vacate the property. the landlord has no right to just come and go as he pleases, and under the wording of insurance, you have a responsibility to ensure your property is secure. stopping your LL coming in unathorised is securing your property IMHO

vax2002

When dealing with the police, keep one thing in mind...
It's is one of the only jobs you can get without ANY qualifications.
They are not hired for Brains !