Do I have to tell the LL I changed the lock?

Ricardo1980

Hello,

I know that legally I have the right to change the lock (in an AST) to avoid the landlord enters in the flat.

The question I have is that if I have the obligation to tell the LL that I changed the lock.

Thanks.

lee111s

I could be wrong but I don't think you do.

moneyistooshorttomention

Don't know. Never did know - back when I was in rented accommodation.

But...yes...I've changed locks to my home and started doing it when I found the landlord in Grotty Bedsit No. 1 was coming in and helping himself to money in the electric meter - without having given me the statutory 24 hours notice of their intention to do so.

saajan_12

"You are allowed to" in the sense that there is no general / statutory law (dis)allowing you to change the locks or requiring you to inform the landlord, outside contract law.

However you may have agreed to not change the locks by signing a contract (check your tenancy agreement!). If this is the case, there is nothing your landlord can do to prohibit you from changing the locks, but you can be sued for the landlord's costs arising from you breaching that clause in your contract. Costs may include: getting extra keys cut if you don't return it at the end / provide enough keys; reinstating a lock to the same quality as before if you put in a weaker lock; losses arising from the landlord not having access in an emergency or after you leave.

pinkshoes

Why would the LL ever know unless there was a genuine emergency?

Your only obligation is to return the property to its initial state when you leave, including changing the lock back.

theartfullodger

What does your tenancy agreement state on the matter? Either about locks specifically or alterations to property.

Sincere apologies but I can't seem to read it from here,,,

Miss_Samantha

pinkshoes wrote: »

Why would the LL ever know unless there was a genuine emergency?

He may give notice and then access the property perfectly legally.

If OP does not reply to the notice, the landlord will show up and be unable to access the property, and thus may have ground to charge OP for his time and travel expenses.

marksoton

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

He may give notice and then access the property perfectly legally.

If OP does not reply to the notice, the landlord will show up and be unable to access the property, and thus may have ground to charge OP.

Let's stop this right here.

Change the locks OP. Let the LL action anything after if they so choose.

I very much doubt they will. Ever.

Marvel1

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

He may give notice and then access the property perfectly legally.

If OP does not reply to the notice, the landlord will show up and be unable to access the property, and thus may have ground to charge OP.

With my front door, key in lock, and cannot open the door, what then? There is also no emergency.

Miss_Samantha

I stated the actual position. Sorry I burst the bubble some you live in.

G_M

Ricardo1980 wrote: »

Hello,

I know that legally I have the right to change the lock (in an AST) to avoid the landlord enters in the flat.

How do you know this?

There is no statute or law that says anything on the subject, either permitting or preventing you doing this.
There may well be a contractual agreement between you and the landlord prohibiting this - have you read your tenancy agreement?
You do have an implied right to 'quiet enjoyment' - which means the LL cannot unreasonably interfere with your life in the property, but that does not impact on the lock question.
The landlord does have a statutory obligation to access the property at times - again this does not impact on the lock question.

The question I have is that if I have the obligation to tell the LL that I changed the lock. Again - what does your tenancy agreement say?

Thanks.

The point others are making is that if you do change the locks (either with or without telling the landlord), the landlord cannot:

* accuse you of a criminal act
* break the door down to gain access (except perhaps in an emergency, but then it's more likely to be the fire brigade forcing entry)

But he could:

* get p*ssed off and end the tenancy via a S21 Notice
* charge you from your depost at the end of the tenancy if you don't replace the lock
* in theory, apply for a court order forcing you to replace the lock - though this is unlkely to happen

edit: I see you are involved in various disputes; with your landlord, between your L and previous tenant; etc
Is this why you wish to change the locks?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71480624#Comment_71480624

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71404072#Comment_71404072

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71329920#Comment_71329920

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71295095#Comment_71295095

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71244070#Comment_71244070

etc