Changing lock on a rental property

Rovver125

I've been reading a lot of posts on here recently where people have advised rental tenants to change door locks and it's got me thinking should we change ours.

We've lived here for 18months and in that time have had several problems which have usually involved the relevant tradesman required visiting whilst myself and my partner have been at work. On most occasions this has involved them getting the key from the LA and letting themselves in during the day. One of our inspections was also completed whilst we were at work. I have been present for the last two, but it's very hard for either of us to get the time off work to be here without taking a full days leave.

When we moved in, the LA only had one key. This makes me suspect the previous tenants probably still hold at least one key. Furthermore, I have discovered in the last few weeks that our neighbour has a key which the landlord left with them before they moved away, in case of emergency apparently.

It's a euro cylinder UPVC lock which I know is cheap and easy to change. Only thing is, what if another problem that requires a tradesman to visit occurs? Can we insist that they attend at a time suitable for us even if this is outside of normal working hours?

The more I think about it the more uncomfortable I am knowing how many people have potentially got access to all our personal belongings, even though we haven't had any problems thus far!

Advice appreciated!

Fire_Fox

Have you ever written to the landlord and his agent about the constant invasion of your privacy/ breaches of your right to quiet enjoyment? Were you getting written notice of the inspections or tradesmen's appointments?

The landlord (or his agent or employees) can only gain access in an emergency OR with your consent. So it depends how essential the tradesman is, how reasonable you are being about access and how much you want that task doing. If it's just an agency inspection you can insist it's done in hours convenient to you or simply refuse altogether. Do be aware if you make it difficult for things to get sorted the landlord might serve you notice to quit.

anselld

Of course you can change the lock.
And you have as much right to insist that tradesmen turn up outside normal working hours as anyone else!
This is the drawback in that it puts you in the same position as any other owner/ occupier, that is if you want repairs done you will need to find an agreeable time and make arrangements to provide access.

Rovver125

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Have you ever written to the landlord and his agent about the constant invasion of your privacy/ breaches of your right to quiet enjoyment? Were you getting written notice of the inspections or tradesmen's appointments?

The landlord (or his agent or employees) can only gain access in an emergency OR with your consent. So it depends how essential the tradesman is, how reasonable you are being about access and how much you want that task doing. If it's just an agency inspection you can insist it's done in hours convenient to you or simply refuse altogether. Do be aware if you make it difficult for things to get sorted the landlord might serve you notice to quit.

Thanks for the reply. Don't get me wrong, they've always given us notice, although only in writing for the inpections. We've always been reasonable with access as it has been to our benefit to allow it. For instance, three faults with the boiler meaning we had no hot water on three separate occasions. Obviously we want things like that sorted asap, it's just the whole issue of how comfortable you should be with a stranger being in your house when you're not there!

As far as inspections go, the LA will never budge with the time or day. They manage three other properties in our road and always do the inspections on all of us in one visit.

We don't want to rock the boat, as we are hoping by this time next year we'll be on the property ladder in our own place and don't want the hassle of moving again before that!

What about the neighbour having a key? Do you think that's acceptable or should I do something about it?

olly300

If you are unhappy about someone else having the key then bring it up.

However having locked myself out of my house twice as an adult it's actually useful if someone who doesn't live in the house has a spare key.

I would actually be more worried about former tenants having a key than the neighbour. The reason being is you know where the neighbour lives there as you don't know where former tenants have moved to.

Rovver125

anselld wrote: »

Of course you can change the lock.
And you have as much right to insist that tradesmen turn up outside normal working hours as anyone else!
This is the drawback in that it puts you in the same position as any other owner/ occupier, that is if you want repairs done you will need to find an agreeable time and make arrangements to provide access.

I've seen so many people on here advise tenants to just change their locks and not tell the LA / LL, yet the AST agreement states in section 5.5 that written consent is required from the landlord? So I assume I would have to do that and then provide them with a key? Would give us peace of mind I think to know that at least no previous tenants or the neighbour could gain access!

Problem I've had with several of the tradesmen is them always wanting to come when it's convenient to them rather then us. One even said to me that if it was later then 1630 or on a Saturday he would have to get consent from the LA as it would incur a higher charge.

I would think being the owner and the one paying the bill would give you much more leverage to say you want someone there at a certain time. Feels a little like they think they can dictate what they're doing to you as you're just a tenant if you get my drift!

Thanks for the reply!

Rovver125

olly300 wrote: »

If you are unhappy about someone else having the key then bring it up.

However having locked myself out of my house twice as an adult it's actually useful if someone who doesn't live in the house has a spare key.

I would actually be more worried about former tenants having a key than the neighbour. The reason being is you know where the neighbour lives there as you don't know where former tenants have moved to.

Not too worried about getting locked out as myself, my partner and my mother all have keys! More the issue with previous tenants like you say and the neighbour, although we get on with them, she's a bit of a nosy busybody type and I know she's in fairly regular contact with the landlord. I'm pretty sure she never would enter our property but you just never know with people these days do you!

Fire_Fox

Rovver125 wrote: »

I've seen so many people on here advise tenants to just change their locks and not tell the LA / LL, yet the AST agreement states in section 5.5 that written consent is required from the landlord? So I assume I would have to do that and then provide them with a key? Would give us peace of mind I think to know that at least no previous tenants or the neighbour could gain access!

It's worth running an advanced search, several experienced landlords have given their opinion on this. Not all clauses in tenancy agreements are fair or enforceable. How would the landlord know you had changed the locks if he didn't try to get in without your consent? Only in an emergency if he had to use a locksmith or bash the door in, rare. If you give them a key what is to stop them getting it copied and giving it to the neighbour and any tradesmen?

summerholiday

This brings to mind an occasion in our rented flat high up on the 4th floor of our flat.

One of our flatmates - whose room looked out across a very wide park/walkway to the flats opposite - was still in bed when a complete stranger, a woman walked in and advanced to the windows. She told her that she wanted to view her curtains from our flat!

Someone earlier had left the huge door to the flat open, obviously unintentionally.

We were less fraught and uptight about things than now.

Also it was never a problem for our letting agent to come to the flat - and we were looked after but not bothered by him. Here everyone seems to be concerned with their possessions being rumaged through.

Which also reminds me that the key - a large turnkey type - turned out to be a masterkey to most of the 8 flats. This made life very easy and meant we could visit friends in at least 2 more flats within the building for a chat or whatever without any problem.

Over the years I have often forgotten my door keys to my property or locked myself out and saved a lot of money by not having to call out locksmiths. And climbing into the property through windows and even in broad daylight no none has alerted the police

At one point I had an alarm system installed, and to see what the response would be set it off and walked out into the street at about midday. Not one person came or was interested, which registered that it served no purpose and I had it taken out.

But I do recall coming home late one night last year after an evening out and climbing in through the front window - thankfully it was unlocked.

About 10 minutes later and I was in bed when I head noises to the rear of my property and it was the police - they had been called by the new neighbours opposite who saw a light come on and a figure - me - and called them out to investigate.

Rovver125

Fire_Fox wrote: »

It's worth running an advanced search, several experienced landlords have given their opinion on this. Not all clauses in tenancy agreements are fair or enforceable. How would the landlord know you had changed the locks if he didn't try to get in without your consent? Only in an emergency if he had to use a locksmith or bash the door in, rare. If you give them a key what is to stop them getting it copied and giving it to the neighbour and any tradesmen?

Exactly the reason I wouldn't want them to have a key!

I've had a look through several other posts that came up on the search regarding this topic, but most of them seem to stem from some sort of dispute or problem arising. Can't seem to find any that specifically relate to our 'peace of mind' sort of query. Having said that, I could be here for days reading through previous posts!

Having read up on it a bit more and knowing that changing a eurocylinder is a ten minute job, I think I might just do it, not bother with informing the agency and then if something does arise where they or a tradesman require access and we can't be present for whatever reason, I know it's only a ten minute job to put the original cylinder back in for the day!


Edit: Just been reading another recent-ish post I somehow overlooked, a lot of the points covered in that one even though the reason for changing the locks is slightly different. My minds made up now!

anselld

Rovver125 wrote: »

Exactly the reason I wouldn't want them to have a key!

I've had a look through several other posts that came up on the search regarding this topic, but most of them seem to stem from some sort of dispute or problem arising. Can't seem to find any that specifically relate to our 'peace of mind' sort of query. Having said that, I could be here for days reading through previous posts!

Having read up on it a bit more and knowing that changing a eurocylinder is a ten minute job, I think I might just do it, not bother with informing the agency and then if something does arise where they or a tradesman require access and we can't be present for whatever reason, I know it's only a ten minute job to put the original cylinder back in for the day!

Edit: Just been reading another recent-ish post I somehow overlooked, a lot of the points covered in that one even though the reason for changing the locks is slightly different. My minds made up now!

Its more like a 10 second job, just make sure you get the correct lengths.

And AST 5.5 is unenforceable IMHO.