Decoration, Maintenance & Repairs
Changing locks in a rental property: landlord and tenant rights
Questions about changing locks come up regularly in landlord-tenant relationships, at the start of a tenancy, when security is a concern, and at the end when the landlord wants to know they have full possession of the property. The rules around who can change locks, when, and with what level of consent are more nuanced than many people realise. Getting it wrong can lead to serious legal consequences on both sides.
Can a landlord change the locks?
A landlord has the right to change the locks on a rental property between tenancies, when one tenancy has ended and before a new one begins, or after taking back possession through the courts. In these circumstances, changing the locks is a normal and sensible security measure.
However, a landlord cannot change the locks while a tenancy is ongoing and while the tenant is in lawful occupation. Doing so, even if the tenant is in rent arrears, has breached the tenancy, or the landlord believes they are entitled to possession, constitutes illegal eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Illegal eviction is a criminal offence, regardless of whether the landlord had a legitimate grievance against the tenant or genuinely believed the tenancy had ended.
The only route to recovering possession of an occupied property is through the courts, using the statutory grounds for possession under the Renters' Rights Act. This applies even in clear-cut cases such as significant arrears or severe property damage. There are no exceptions that permit a landlord to simply change the locks and rely on having "a good reason".
Can a tenant change the locks?
Whether a tenant can change the locks depends on the terms of the tenancy agreement. Most standard tenancy agreements include a clause requiring the tenant to obtain the landlord's written consent before making any alterations to the property, which includes changing or adding locks.
A tenant who changes the locks without permission is likely to be in breach of the tenancy agreement, which could in principle be grounds for possession proceedings in serious cases. However, the practical enforcement of this is limited and most landlords handle unauthorised lock changes by asking the tenant to return a key or restore the original lock rather than escalating.
Where a tenant has a legitimate reason to change the locks, for example, following a domestic violence situation where they need to prevent a former partner from accessing the property, the landlord should be sympathetic and, in most cases, should agree to a lock change on request, subject to being given a new key. Many local authorities and specialist services can assist tenants in these circumstances, and landlords should not use the technicality of a tenancy agreement clause to obstruct a tenant's safety.
Changing locks at the start of a tenancy
One of the most common lock-related questions is whether a landlord is required to change the locks between tenancies. There is no legal requirement in England to change the locks between tenancies, but it is good practice. The previous tenant may have given keys to third parties, and while you will normally recover all keys at check-out, there is no certainty that all copies have been returned.
Changing the locks between tenancies is a relatively low-cost precaution that gives the new tenant confidence in their security and reduces any residual risk from previous key holders. Include confirmation of lock changes in your check-in documentation.
What happens to keys at the end of a tenancy?
At the end of a tenancy, the tenant is required to return all keys provided at the start, including any copies made during the tenancy. The number of keys provided and required to be returned should be documented in the inventory and check-in report. If a tenant fails to return all keys, the reasonable cost of replacing the locks or re-keying them can be claimed from the tenancy deposit.
This is one of the reasons it is important to document the number of keys provided at check-in precisely, a deposit dispute claim for an unreturned key is much easier to pursue when the original issue of keys is confirmed in a signed inventory.
Landlord access and the lock position
Related to the lock question is the broader issue of landlord access. Even where the landlord holds a key to the property, access during the tenancy requires at least 24 hours' written notice and the tenant's agreement, except in genuine emergencies. Holding a key does not entitle a landlord to enter at will, entering without proper notice, regardless of whether the tenant is present, can constitute a breach of the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment and in serious cases amounts to harassment.
If a tenant has changed the locks without permission and is refusing to give the landlord a key, the correct response is to seek resolution through the tenancy agreement's dispute process or, if necessary, to factor this into possession proceedings, not to break in or force entry.
Also see: Eviction · Grounds for possession · Rent arrears · Tenancy agreement · Inventory · Check-in report · Tenancy deposit · Quiet enjoyment · Renters' Rights Act
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Landlord and tenant law is subject to change, and the information in this article reflects the position at the time of writing. You should always seek independent legal or professional advice before taking any action in relation to your property or tenancy.
Author
August Team
The August editorial team lives and breathes rental property. They work closely with a panel of experienced landlords and industry partners across the UK, turning real-world portfolio and tenancy experience into clear, practical guidance for small landlords.
