Keys never got changed when I moved into flat

Bridge-Burner

The previous tenant came round the other day asking for post of his and handed me some keys which I tried and the locks haven't been changed so I got a bit paranoid. He could have another key and invite himself in but I hope he was genuine and isn't the type. Is there any legal obligation to change the locks for each tenant. I know tenants aren't supposed to get copies but I imagine most do just for spares.

olly300

ff you get on with your landlord and you have yale type lock ask him/her vocally then follow it up in a letter asking them to change the yale lock. Explain what has happened.

If they refuse then change the yale lock yourself. You only need to replace the barrel of the lock and you can get them from all DIY stores. Keep the original barrel and when you move out change the barrel back.

Edited to say: Some landlords change barrels between tenants automatically so they have two or three on the go. While others have keys with a code on them which locksmiths will refuse to copy.

m0bov

just change the barrel and keep the old one. otherwise the landlord will have a key.

goRt

m0bov wrote: »

just change the barrel and keep the old one. otherwise the landlord will have a key.

I think you'll find the LL or agent is entitled to a key

DRP

goRt wrote: »

I think you'll find the LL or agent is entitled to a key

what for?

sirmosh

goRt wrote: »

I think you'll find the LL or agent is entitled to a key

It's fine to change the locks providing you change them back when you leave, you're under no legal obligation to give the landlord or letting agent a key either.

Edit - I just remembered a friend told me his tenancy agreement stated no changing the locks, though I'm not sure how things stand legally with that.

ognum

DRP wrote: »

what for?

The main reason is because tenants are always locking themselves out!

Kayalana99

Well I would of thought ...despite not having the locks changed he would of at least got the keys from the old tennant before allowing a new tennant to move in!!

And if he hadn't got the keys back then yes he should def change it!

Thiers always the thing they could make a copy but its down right stupid if you know they have the keys...

PasturesNew

Under the circumstances I'd change the locks immediately ..... it's a bit 'creepy' as he turned up - and had the keys - and probably has had a chance now to case the OP/the joint .....

grifferz

sirmosh wrote: »

I just remembered a friend told me his tenancy agreement stated no changing the locks, though I'm not sure how things stand legally with that.

Tenancy agreements often contain things like this; the other common one is "no changing the utility providers". They are unenforceable. At most they can ask you to change things back to how they were when you leave.

As regards the locks how would that even work? You put their lock back and they see you did and that's fine, then five minutes after they leave you pop your old lock back in. Are they going to apply to court every time you do this? Only for you to put their lock back and see their application fail?

Naturally you probably would not get your tenancy renewed though!

I am not sure if the landlord is legally obliged to change locks / take back keys when a tenant leaves. If a previous tenant used their keys to come in and steal stuff then you may argue that the landlord has been negligent in leaving them with the keys, but then I would have thought they would argue that they did take the keys and previous tenant must have taken a copy without their knowledge.

Personally for the sake of the hassle involved I would (and have) just change the locks myself and not bother asking anything of anyone.