Am I allowed to change the locks in the apartment I am renting?

[Danity1000]

yesterday the landlord (who lives in France and has zero contact with me) organised some work to be done in the flat. The estate agents said they would let the guy doing the work in, I didn't realise they were giving him the key to the flat. Anyway, they gave him the key to the flat I live in with my daughter and the guy has had my key overnight, apparently, he said he would give the key to me before he left mine but he never did. I work in probation and maybe it is paranoia from being in the justice system but I feel really unsafe now wondering if this guy could have cut a key etc. I also noticed that he had been in my room while he was here when there was no need to.

I am awaiting a locksmith but on researching this it looks like I could be evicted for doing this? The estate agents have said nothing "not to worry, all is well" I have spoken to them three times and the first time they laughed... I'm not sure what to do here? Bare in mind I have no contact with the landlord, he has moved to France and wants no communication with tenants.

I think that changing the locks is fine but you have to reinstall the original lock when you leave. My information might be put of date tho!

Just make sure the estate agents get keys.

This is standard practice for estate agents to do I believe. Well they always did when I rented. Workmen always got the key from them if I wasn't going to be home and then the key goes back to the estate agent, not given to you (it's not your key)
I would advise against changing the locks. The estate agents always have a spare key

No no you misunderstand. I know the estate agents have the main key, I know the is flat is managed and also doesn't belong to me and of course, the landlord should have the key to the flat he owns and I would give the agency/landlord a main key. I'm trying to lock my estate agents or landlord out. What I'm saying is that the key to the flat was left with someone else overnight, not with the estate agents. Someone who could have easily cut a key and someone who was in my room for no reason while he was here. I work in probation, things like this happen. That's why I'm asking about getting the lock changed, not to lock the estate agents out

*not trying to lock my estate agents out.

My locksmith just spoke with me about it and said I can't change it but told me to get a yale lock. Will look into this now I guess!

I say this in as gentle a way as possible but I've worked prisons, drug services and criminal justice for a long time and I do think you are overreacting.

I absolutely would be insisting to the estate agents they get the key back and evidence it to me.

However getting the locks change is an overreaction

Sorry cross post

It may be standard practice for estate agents but as a tenant you have the statutory right to quiet enjoyment of your home.

I'd change the locks, give the estate agent a spare key and explain (in writing) that you don't consent to them letting contractors have a key to your home. They do not have the right to enter your home, except in cases of emergency (ie burst pipe / fire). At all other times they require your consent in advance, and decent estate agents should offer to supervise the contractor if you aren't willing or able to be there yourself. Personally, I only allow contractors / the estate agent in when I can be there.

In theory you have to return the lock to the original one when you leave, but they may agree to having the new lock in permanently.

It is reasonable that landlords are able to get work done to their property. If you are a longer term tenant it’s obvious work might need to be done.

My Agent doesn’t accompany trades people. They give them the key but then get it back at the end of the day. There has to be trust. The Agent must give you notice but you should be reasonable and quiet enjoyment really means work isn’t sprung on you. There should be negotiation around convenience but landlords should be able to repair and upgrade where necessary. I would get a better relationship with the Agent. Add another lock but it is a slight overreaction if the tradesman is trusted by the Agent and has been used by them a lot without incident.

How do you know who had the key overnight and that an extra person was in the flat who should not have been there?

As an aside perhaps you should get a good quality strong latch or chain or similar (not sure what they are called) to fit on your front door so that it can't be opened from the outside even if someone has a key.

I know I've not explained that that well but hopefully you know what I mean.

There should be negotiation around convenience but landlords should be able to repair and upgrade where necessary.

In the vast majority of cases tenants want the work to be done and are happy to accommodate reasonable requires for access. But, just as there are unreasonable tenants, some landlords and estate agents don't seem to realise that they don't actually have the right to enter without consent (except in case of emergency).

My estate agent offers to accompany contractors or to pass my number along to I can arrange a suitable time when I will be there. I would not be at all happy if someone I don't even know the name of let themselves in to my home. I doubt many home owners would be happy about it either!

Yes you can change the locks as long as they are out back to normal when you leave. You don’t t have to give estate agents a key.
They can’t enter yout home without a warrant unless emergency like fire/flood.

You are paying for the right of quiet enjoyment of the property - they shouldn't be sending someone in to your house. You are perfectly fine changing the lock and changing it back again once you move out, no need to provide a copy key to the agents.

If a repair is needed, you can tell them reasonable times to come in to do it. They can't insist on it being when it's convenient for them, it is when you grant that it's convenient for both of you.

the only problem about being inflexible is that your trying to get a workman in & its dependent on when he is available - which is why you need to work it out - ask for contact details of workman so you can arrange directly about times available or keys perhaps.Nb landlord is entitled to check the state of property at regular pre -mutually arranged times to make sure the structure of flat is up to standard & nothing has gone wrong - which he is liable for on your behalf (the last bit isn't directly aimed at you op)

@LilBoaty Thank you!!! Yes, this is exactly perfect. I don't think I explained my worry well in the post but yes having this on the door when I'm in makes total sense and means I'm not messing with the original lock. Better peace of mind for me. Thank you

Shinyletsbebadguys my mum's neighbours place was emptied out a few months ago like this... They pulled up with a van outside when they knew she was away and spent five hours emptying her place out. That is not my main concern here though, I don't think I explained properly in the post but still, much better to be safe than sorry