HELP - DD locked out of rented house by ex boyfriend!

[DDLockedOut]

DD started renting a house with now ex boyfriend a few months ago.

She has found out he’s cheated on her yesterday so she’s come back home. Told him it’s over, she’s taking her name off tenancy and she’s going to pick up her stuff in a few days when we can get a van.

He has now informed her he’s changed the locks so she can’t get in. Her passport and bank card have gone missing as she couldn’t find it before she left (they were in the house).

She is lead tenant on the tenancy. Would him blocking her access to the property mean she’s not liable for the rent? Changing the locks is in breach of the tenancy? Will the letting agent be able to get a locksmith to get in so she can get her stuff and would she be liable for that?

Would the police be any help?

Any advice appreciated as DD is going spare!

Not sure tenants should be changing locks on a rented property but that's beside the point.

Your poor DD, what a shit her ex was. I hope she is ok.

The police should help her access her home.

My ex did this, he hadn’t actually changed the locks though, just said he had.

Might be worth escorting her to try and get in anyway. Unless you have reason to believe he may be dangerous of course.

Police will say it’s a civil matter and not get involved, although may be willing to escort her to collect her belongings when they have somebody spare to do so.

No locks shouldn’t have been changed especially to lock the lead tenant out! No point asking letting agent for a key as they won’t have the right one.

Shitbag removed her video doorbell access so she couldn’t see them do it. He actually said his Dad got his mate to do it. His Dad is nothing to do with the tenancy!

She is on the tenancy so ex cannot lock her out of her own home. She should call the police and a locksmith to get access and shake down ex for her passport and bank card.

I wouldn’t advise her being under the same roof, so if the police do not arrest him, she should grab her stuff and go back to yours. She can inform the landlord/letting agent of the breakdown in relationship. A good agent/landlord will have dealt with this before and be able to release her from the tenancy.

She will still be liable for rent while still named on the property. Her ex changing the locks doesn’t absolve her of that contract

He however is in breach of contract but that will be separate from the rent she owes

Does she know/have contact with the landlord directly? I never deal with the letting agents if I have an issue, I always phone or text the landlord direct. Letting agents are useless in my experience

I’d also go with her to check as suspect he may just be saying that.

Can she prove it’s her address eg copy of tenancy agreement? If so a locksmith will help. Same as if she’d locked herself out.

She could also get the letting agent / landlord, given she’s lead tenant and they’ll want to know the piece of work has changed the locks in breach of tenancy

I'd personally cancel both the bank card and passport immediately and order new ones.

The bf has no right to change the locks, especially if she's lead tenant and it's rented. If necessary contact the police and ask them to accompany your DD to the flat to collect her belongings.

She should contact the LL asap after she's collected her stuff to inform them she's no longer resident and to get herself removed from the tenancy. It would be a good idea if she could take some photos/videos of each room too when she collects her things, in case the bf causes damage after she's left.

It would be a good idea if she could take some photos/videos of each room too when she collects her things, in case the bf causes damage after she's left.

Ah yes this is an excellent idea. I think video would be better as you could talk over it and explain any scratches, damages etc

She should contact women's aid or the police for help this is abusive behaviour, also let her estate agent know what's happening

I doubt it'll be as simple as just '... taking her name off tenancy.' The landlord may not agree to let her out of the tenancy, has s/he? In my experience, unless the other tenant can afford to rent the property on their income, they will not agree. Yes, as it is not the landlord who has changed the locks, the tenancy agreement has not been broken and she is obligated to pay rent.

A lease is a contract you can't just ignore it so yes she cant just stop paying rent, she needs to call the landlord/agency and the police if need be

Of course tenants can change locks on rented places. It's their home. Just have to return to the originals at end of tenancy.

Doesn't make what the ex boyfriend has done right, though.

@DDLockedOut get your daughter to speak to the landlord as well as ask the Police if someone will accompany her to collect her valuables/other possessions

The landlord or agent should agree to release her from the lease. It’s not her problem if her boyfriend can’t afford to lease the place on his income alone.