Changing lock on a rental property

princeofpounds

Yes the clause is unenforceable. You can change the lock, but you must replace the original or substitute with a lock of equal or better quality and provde the landlord with keys on exit.

Even if such a clause were enforceable, it would not be actionable. To sue someone you need to prove loss or damage. There is no loss or damage from installing a different lock barrel.

In a situation like this, where the landlord is not causing a problem, it is best as a courtesy to speak to them, explain why you want to change the locks, and arrange to give them a copy of the key. If you do that, you should have no problems.

olly300

Rovver125 wrote: »

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!

People aren't more untrustworthy than they use to be is just that you hear about it more.

Likewise if you frequent these board you think that all landlords and letting agents are bad. They are not.

The neighbour has probably been told by the landlord to keep an eye on you. Even if she hasn't been told a neighbour like that has their uses. If you have ever been burgled or had an attempted burglary you would understand that.

As princeofpounds said if you don't have a problem with the landlord just with who has various keys then you should mention to the landlord NOT the letting/estate agent you are changing the lock. This is to prevent unnecessary conflict. Also mention to the landlord any issues you have with the letting agent/estate agent as they are paying them to manage the property and often landlords aren't aware if their letting agent is useless.

And as anselld and others said, your landlord cannot not legally prevent you from changing the lock. The reason for this is tenant harassment legislation.

Rovver125

Thanks for the replies. We don't have any direct contact with the LL, all correspondence has to go through the LA. We were told this from day one.

Don't get me wrong, I definitely don't think all LL / LA are bad. Ironically, it was the biggest, most well known LA in our area that have been by far the worst we've rented through so far. The past two have been very relaxed. A few broken promises about things that were supposed to be done to the property etc, but nothing we can't live with.

Like I said, this was just for peace of mind more then anything. Although I don't doubt that I would never have even thought of this without reading this forum!

Fingers crossed by this time next year we'll own our own home and I know changing the locks will be one of the first jobs I do then!

Fire_Fox

Rovver125 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. We don't have any direct contact with the LL, all correspondence has to go through the LA. We were told this from day one.

Who told you that, the landlord themselves or the agent? You contract is with the landlord you have the right to an address at which to serve notices and to contact them directly.

skintmumof2

When we moved into our house the previous tenant had loads of people in and out and seen locking/unlocking the house (could of been with the same key!) Our landlord told us for peace of mind to change the locks and paid for them (got them from b&q) We got one set and we had to give a set to his parents for emergency access (Landlord himself lives abroad) which we agreed to.
If u ask to change the locks and say you will give one to that same neighbour then thats peace of mind knowing who has the other key.
When we rented through a LA many years ago we were provided with the landlords name and address (Like another poster said i think its law) which we did use to write to him to complain about the LA (another story)

Rovver125

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Who told you that, the landlord themselves or the agent? You contract is with the landlord you have the right to an address at which to serve notices and to contact them directly.

Yeah that's something I was never aware of until I started reading this forum. Up until now we've never had a problem that couldn't be dealt with via the LA. Without having any major issues I don't see a need to contact them for the LL's address yet, but will bare it in mind for future reference.

Already got a new lock, £15 in B&Q. Myself, my partner and my mother will be the only ones holding a key for now!

unclebulgaria

Rovver125 wrote: »

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!

Why would you think its ok for you to stipulate a time for a tradesmans visit that suits your working hours? If you work during the day and your boss asked you to work out of normal hours you would expect recompense? You're renting, there are checks required by law that the LL needs to carry out so you are going to be required to allow access more than in your own home. I get asked continually to visit out of my normal working hours so much so that if I said yes to everyone who requested it I'd never get any work done during my 8am-5pm working day.
The tradesman has every right to request an out of hours fee.

Rovver125

unclebulgaria wrote: »

Why would you think its ok for you to stipulate a time for a tradesmans visit that suits your working hours? If you work during the day and your boss asked you to work out of normal hours you would expect recompense? You're renting, there are checks required by law that the LL needs to carry out so you are going to be required to allow access more than in your own home. I get asked continually to visit out of my normal working hours so much so that if I said yes to everyone who requested it I'd never get any work done during my 8am-5pm working day.
The tradesman has every right to request an out of hours fee.

Can't argue with that unclebulgaria, in my 60-80 hour job I certainly expect to be compensated for my OOH's work with a higher payment then my basic!

Next time a visit is needed for any reason though I am going to push for them coming at a time more convenient to us. I don't neccesarily mean OOH's, but something more convenient then midday for example.