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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked a tenant isn't allowed to change locks?

53 replies

ParkingFeud · 13/02/2021 20:14

Even if they give a new key to the landlord/agency?

If you don't know when the locks were last changed and have no idea who would own keys surely it makes sense to change the locks?! But apparently this counts as a breach of tenancy...I'm pretty shocked on discovering this.

YABU - tenants shouldn't be allowed to change locks even if they give spare keys to the landlord
YANBU - It's bonkers that tenants are expected to leave financially or emotionally important possessions in a potentially insecure property

OP posts:
rawalpindithelabrador · 13/02/2021 21:03

We always did and then changed them back after we had dickheaded LLs and LAs let themselves in as and when they pleased.

FoxyTheFox · 13/02/2021 21:04

Locks are really simple to change so there's no reason why it would invalidate insurance or damage the lock, a lot of times it's just a case of installing a new barrel which is the work of moments and they're relatively cheap to buy.

Hankunamatata · 13/02/2021 21:18

Call LL. If you want to pay for locks changed I'm.sure they wouldnt mind as long as you give them a copy of the key. You could ask for chain to be put on too if your worried.

mrlevelheaded · 13/02/2021 21:21

I rented through an agent who thought housing laws were a guide. I changed the locks, on handback day they found they couldnt get in. They had previous history of doing minor damage inside and with holding deposits. They were so pissed off, but I got my deposit back in full.....

Sh05 · 13/02/2021 21:27

My dad's an accidental landlord ATM and changes the locks between tenants just in case someone's still kept a key. He does it on the day the new tenants move in to give them that reassurance. It takes a few minutes

NaturalStudy · 13/02/2021 21:37

I've seen this raised before but have never seen the specific law mentioned - which law says you can change the locks even if your contract says you can't? Can someone help me out?

NaturalStudy · 13/02/2021 21:38

@19lottie82 can you point me in the right direction please? Would help me out

hollybollyy · 13/02/2021 21:43

We own now but our last rental house was awful! I wish we'd changed the locks earlier! Old tenants came round 3 times in the first week to drop off keys they'd found! We ended up with 32 spare sets of keys as one of them had dementia and kept forgetting his key.

He turned up with a key in the middle of the night 3 weeks in and thought he was in his house. We changed the locks then!

AlwaysLatte · 13/02/2021 21:51

I think it seems fair that you can't just change the locks. As a LL myself I am happy with the current locks and that they meet with insurance requirements. But if there was a specific issue, such as lost keys, abusive partner etc, I would change them free of charge, but I'd rather do it myself.

BlueTimes · 13/02/2021 21:55

Even if it’s in the contract, I’d be amazed if any landlord refused this (assuming they were allowed a copy of the keys as normal). I wouldn’t object for my tenants.

MapGirlExtraordinaire · 13/02/2021 21:56

How about if the tenant wanted new locks for peace of mind Latte? It sounds fair enough to me, and considering the price of the lock I don't see why any LL wouldn't give that as standard, not just in the situations you outline. Not trying to be antagonistic, just trying to understand why a decent LL would even hesitate?

Livelovebehappy · 13/02/2021 21:57

TBH the same could be said when moving between owned properties. The previous homeowner could keep hold of keys in the same way, putting the new homeowner in a similar position re security. Unless of course people are suggesting renters are more untrustworthy.

MapGirlExtraordinaire · 13/02/2021 22:16

Totally agree Live, I think it's quite standard for new owners to change the locks in the first few days.

But the point is it's the new owner's choice, whereas with tenants it is not so clear cut whether they have any choice. Or certainly whether they feel they have choice which won't influence their LL's view of them.

And rental properties are more likely to change hands every year or two so the number of keys in circulation could be much higher.

Topseyt · 13/02/2021 22:20

As a LL, I have given tenants permission to change locks before. I have one key and the tenant has the other (no letting agents involved).

I am aware that I cannot let myself into the flat without the permission of the tenant, and without giving proper notice, and I would not dream of doing so.

It is the landlord's permission you would need to seek and most will be reasonable.

Whatsissname · 13/02/2021 22:35

If the tenant changes the locks, but keeps the old ones and puts back before handing back the property, surely the only way the landlord would know is if they tried to enter the house during the tenancy and found the original key didn't work - which if they did without the tenants permission would be illegal anyway?

Rachie1973 · 13/02/2021 22:38

I’m a landlord. We change the locks with every tenant and don’t hold a set ourselves. We don’t have a legal right to.

19lottie82 · 14/02/2021 22:49

I think it will depend on what's in the tenancy agreement.

Nope...... statue law over rides contract law. In layman’s terms, just because a law applies, you can’t make it go away by applying a contract clause.

A common example, a contract may state “access must be allowed for viewings in the last month of your tendency”. No, the law states this isn’t the case. You don’t have to let anyone in if you don’t want to.

mumwon · 14/02/2021 22:51

there is a reason forholding key -
emergencies - this is the one time that landlords are allowed to go in - ie water/gas/electric repair in extreme emergencies if tenant isn't there etc (on holiday etc) (note I have never done this but I have heard stories about this on NRLA) Re gas servicing LL can get court permission to enter if the tenant won't allow the boiler to be serviced & the tenant refused to allow any access. (NRLA) This is for tenants safety
Personally, like pp, I change locks for new tenants anyway & if they asked me for reasonable security safety reasons I would probably change locks. (I contact tenant if I want to visit property about 2 weeks before so we can work mutually acceptable times)
There have also sadly been examples of illegal subletting(cities mostly) where the tenant taking over the illegal landlord renting small properties as houses of multiple occupancy

Russellbrandshair · 14/02/2021 22:54

Rubbish! I was a landlord- you are allowed to change the locks as long as the LL also gets a copy as it’s their property.

My tenants had to once as the lock seized up - what was I going to tell them?- no- you’ll have to leave the front door unlocked?! 🙄

The point is- tenants can’t change locks without informing the LL or giving them a key as legally the property belongs to them.

HeronLanyon · 14/02/2021 22:55

First thing I’ve always done anywhere I’ve rented. And bought.
Always grave key to landlord. Of any landlord questioned or said no or it was in my tenancy that I couldn’t etc I’d be out of there.

Northernsoullover · 14/02/2021 22:57

I changed mine. I have two front doors and wanted thumb turn locks for safety. I did give them a set though.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 14/02/2021 23:01

The point is- tenants can’t change locks without informing the LL or giving them a key as legally the property belongs to them.

Many of the PPs disagree. It would be good to have absolute clarity on this.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 14/02/2021 23:03

Surely if the tenant changes the locks, then the locks belong to them even if the property doesn't. If they replace the locks when they leave why would the LL have an issue?

The tenant has occupancy while they're paying for the home, so surely the locks are their business?

WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo · 14/02/2021 23:05

It's never occurred to me that ex tenants might still have keys and use them! Mind you I've been here for 11 years now so I guess if they wanted to let themselves in they would have by now!

HeronLanyon · 14/02/2021 23:13

Landlords need access in emergency (flood etc) so do need keys!