Can I change the locks on my home? (Still married)

[Throwaway20222011]

I have lived separately from husband for a year and have been paying the mortgage by myself for over 3 years. My husband uses the house to control me, works from here and helps with kids/dogs. I’ve found out he’s been doing illegal things and getting in more and more debt so he won’t be able to get his own place any time soon - which is why I was letting him use mine for a while to help him get on his feet but that’s not going to happen for years and I want him as much out of my life as possible. I want to change the locks to stop him coming in uninvited as he has also been in my room which he has no reason to. But he says because his name is on it that I can’t

What kind of illegal things? Is his name on any of the paperwork for the house with you saying you have paid the mortgage for the last 3 years?
My knee jerk reaction is throw him out and change the locks, hopefully someone with the appropriate legal knowledge will be along soon.
But still living together is crazy. He can go and get a bedsit and conduct his illegal activity from there.

You need to speak to a solicitor. Sorry you are going through this.

This is paid for legal advice territory.

Main starter question though will be around legal ownership.

I had only heard about the "you can't change the locks" thing on Mumsnet. No one in real life thought it was an issue. I changed the locks, informed my ex who still co-owned the house. Explained I felt uncomfortable not knowing if he could come in at any point. I don't think I even mentioned it to my solicitor in the end. I think if you don't feel safe/comfortable, you have every right to change the locks. However, perhaps you need to sort out buying him out or sell and buy somewhere separately to completely sever ties?

I’d be appointing a solicitor and divorcing him. Have you got that far yet? His long have you been married? Ages of dc? Is he on the deeds?

As he’s continued to use the house you risk, if you change the locks, him applying for an occupation order forcing you to let him back in. He’s highly likely to get the order, together with an order for costs.

You take your risk…

If deeds are in both names then you cannot deny access.