Landlord changed locks without consent

Beetlejuice01

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tacpot12

While it is premature to have changed the locks, if she's happy to give you the keys, you are still able to occupy the property , so you're not entitled to any reduction in rent. The fact you have moved out, but not cleaned or tidied up the garden yet means that she cannot let it to anyone else as you are still occupying the property.

You were allowed cats but I am willing to bet there was nothing in the tenancy agreement allowing you to avoid paying for any damage they caused. I allow pets one of my properties, but take a larger deposit as it is more likely that damage will be cause (and be more extensive) when there are pets in the property. You get the deposit back less the cost of any damage when the tenancy ends which is the date you have agreed and paid rent until. Usually the landlord is allowed a grace period to determine the cost of any repairs before the deposit is returned.

Clean the property to standard you received it in and do the garden to the same standard, don't annoy the landlord by kicking off because the locks have been changed, and you should be ok. You don't want to annoy the landlord, because you want them to deal with your deposit fairly. The landlord is not allowed to deduct amounts from the deposit for a fair amount of wear and tear - some deterioration of the property is to be expected when it is occupied: so odd marks on the floors, doors and walls, very small stains on carpets, etc. should not be deducted from the deposit. if the cats have clawed the woodwork, this is not fair wear and tear and the landlord should be able to deduct the cost of getting the holes filled and the wood repainted if they want to. (I wouldn't as the actual cost will be less than £10, but some landlords will)

kinger101

You'll need to dispute the deposit though whichever scheme protects it. She shouldn't have entered the property without your permission.

If they're being cleaned, I'm not sure why she wants new ones.

You could argue that as she changed the locks, you could not gain access to clean the carpets But I'd probably clean them (if it was required in the inventory, (to the standard they were when you moved in, minus wear) and make a note of what she did when you dispute the deposit. It probably isn't relevant, but I think it will undermine any case she puts forward as it makes her unaware and just a bit of a 5h1t in general.

sevenhills

tacpot12 wrote: »

While it is premature to have changed the locks, if she's happy to give you the keys,

Maybe the landlord changed the locks for practical reasons, like fitting new doors?
The point of changing locks can be so that the previous tenant cannot gain access, that is obviously not the reason in this case.

Beetlejuice01

I have no issue with paying for damages from my deposit , it's just that I am not able to collect the new keys (they don't live round here and only here today) and feel this is something that should have been run by me first considering I'm still the tenant, and now have no access to be able to put the property back into checking out condition.

Marvel1

If anything they should be the ones dropping the keys to you, not you collecting them!! They made the mistake of changing them before your tenancy ended.

Keep all evidence of her saying she changed the locks etc, dates and why it's not convenient for you to pick them up. Basically she has prevented you from entering and cleaning yourself.

kinger101

Beetlejuice01 wrote: »

I have no issue with paying for damages from my deposit , it's just that I am not able to collect the new keys (they don't live round here and only here today) and feel this is something that should have been run by me first considering I'm still the tenant, and now have no access to be able to put the property back into checking out condition.

In that case, tell here to bring the key to you. Is she doesn't, simply tell the deposit scheme you were able to clean the property when you moved out as the landlord entered the property without your knowledge or permission and changed the locks.

lookstraightahead

It!!!8217;s still your property til the end of the tenancy. Did she go in without your permission?

Marvel1

lookstraightahead wrote: »

It!!!8217;s still your property til the end of the tenancy. Did she go in without your permission?

Yes

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Beetlejuice01 wrote: »

She has also been in the property 2 or 3 times recently without requesting access from myself first.