Ex Girlfriend Changed the locks

Dinnie2006

Hi
We did wonder about this, it was something he would be looking to discuss with Solicitor.
I do at present deal with his bills and until now his post...
We just dint want to back the Girl completely in a corner so there was no turning back for them..so we have held of seeking this sort of advice.

Dinnie2006

Might add to the above Post..My Son is by no way a Mommy,s boy..She has a proven track record of not paying bills hence i was asked to do it to make sure the Mortgage and bills were paid so that they at least had a roof over there head on his return.

LannieDuck

Having said that you're planning to collect the post, I would then follow-up with a polite text asking if she's changed the locks (obviously after your attempt to collect the post), and could you please have a copy of the new key. Keep it friendly to begin with - she might have a good reason for it that you aren't aware of.

Padstow

Dinnie2006 wrote: »

Hi
We did wonder about this, it was something he would be looking to discuss with Solicitor.
I do at present deal with his bills and until now his post...
We just dint want to back the Girl completely in a corner so there was no turning back for them..so we have held of seeking this sort of advice.

You are his next of kin. There's no need for her even to know you have POA initially. Can be done online for about £60.
It does give you proof that you are acting for your son in case the locks need to be changed again.
Problem is at present, she won't allow his post to be read by you, what if something needs your urgent attention? Also what if say the house floods and you need access, you have no right to enter without POA.

Dinnie2006

Hi All
I,m back after exhausting all avenues...as advised above P O A obtained..have requested Key from Sons ex..No response.
question is i know i can visit with a Locksmith and police in tow..but do i have to give the ex a key? We have tried numerous solicitors no-one seems to be able to give us a straight answer..hope someone can point me in the right direction..

Mojisola

Dinnie2006 wrote: »

Hi All
I,m back after exhausting all avenues...as advised above P O A obtained..have requested Key from Sons ex..No response.
question is i know i can visit with a Locksmith and police in tow..but do i have to give the ex a key? We have tried numerous solicitors no-one seems to be able to give us a straight answer..hope someone can point me in the right direction..

As she has no rights to the property, I wouldn't.

I would offer to arrange a time for her to come and collect her belongings and have someone else with me for moral support in case she turns nasty.

Dinnie2006

Oh she will turn nasty and be calling her Father...Do we send her the bill from the Locksmith?...
We are aware she has started to damage the property..

Dinnie2006

Just a bit concerned as i will in effect be making her and my Grandson homeless..

Mojisola

Dinnie2006 wrote: »

Oh she will turn nasty and be calling her Father...

Do we send her the bill from the Locksmith?...

We are aware she has started to damage the property..

I wouldn't send her the bill - that's just asking for a bad reaction!

Take plenty of photos when you do get into the house to show any damage.

You either get her out and make your grandson "homeless" or leave her to take out her anger on the house. As she could go home to her parents, you know they're not going to be out on the streets.

LannieDuck

Dinnie, I know that she appears to have acted badly in this (I say 'appears' because we don't have her side of the story). Legally, you'd probably be in your rights to do what you're considering. However, I think you and your son need to step back from the situation and ask what you're hoping to achieve.

How important is it to you all that she vacates the property? It's liable to irrevocably damage the relationship between you and her, and grandparents have no automatic right to see their grandchildren. I realise you're not being allowed access to your grandson at the moment, but if you go down this path, she could cut contact for years.

I'm not saying its right, but you need to be pragmatic. As far as I can tell, your main aims should be:

i) ensuring your son has a viable address for when he leaves prison
ii) attempting to restore a relationship with your grandson

I think your plan may end up sacrificing ii) in order to achieve i). Has your son spoken to any probation officers (/similar), or taken advice yet?

Is there no way you can manage to speak to her? Can you go over at a time you know she'll be in?

If you have to go down the locksmith/police route, I would try to be as friendly about it as possible - e.g. put a letter through the letterbox in advance, send text messages/FB/whatever saying that you're not sure why she's changed the locks, but you have to get access to the property for a, b or c, so you're having them changed back. Could she please get in contact with you as a matter of urgency?