Locks Q&A: Everything Landlords and Tenants Need to Know

It is important to understand the rights, responsibilities and obligations for landlords and tenants when it comes to the locks and locking mechanisms on a rented property. Knowing this can help to avoid confusion and potential disputes in the future as well as budgeting for possible costs that may arise. This Locks Q and A is designed to do just that.

The content of this article is in the form of questions and answers and it should be noted that this is general advice for landlords and tenants based in the UK. If there is a contract in place between the landlord and tenant, then the terms in that contract should be referred to first for specific clarification. The following content however is the generally accepted standards and rules that should be followed.

Do the locks need to be to a certain standard?

Generally, no.

However, check the home insurance policy wording as often it will say things like “British Standard” locks. For more information, check out this article on Locks and Home Insurance.

Can a Tenant Change the Locks?

The rule here is that it is possible for a tenant to arrange to have the locks changed by a suitably qualified person. However, the tenant must seek written approval from the landlord in advance.

There are some emergency exceptions to this (e.g. lock/door cannot be secured or there is a risk of domestic violence). Even in these situations, the landlord should be informed after the event but at the earliest available opportunity.

If locks are changed, should a copy of the key be given to the landlord?

Yes, the landlord should have spare keys for the property.

Who pays if a tenant gets locked out or loses their keys?

In the vast majority of cases, the tenant has to bear all the costs if they lock themselves out. However, if the tenant is locked out because the lock has failed through no fault of the tenant, then the landlord should cover any reasonable costs. Locksmith costs can vary, read this article on costs for guidance.

Lost keys are also the responsibility of the tenant.

Should the locks have a thumb turn?

If the property is a flat or an HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy), then the lock should have a thumb turn or be able to operated from the inside without the need of a key. Read this article on thumb turn locks for more information.

Do the windows on a rented property need to be lockable?

There is no specific requirement to have locks on windows, however, it is advisable to check the home insurance policy to see what the requirements are. I discuss this in my article on Window Locks.

Can a landlord enter the property?

The landlord is not permitted to just enter the property unannounced. Although they do have the right to make periodic checks so can request access in advance at a mutually convenient and reasonable time that needs to be agreed.

Can a tenant add additional security features (e.g. door chain)?

Any changes to the door or security set-up and any additions or changes to fixtures and fittings must be approved by the landlord in writing in advance.

Does a landlord have to change the locks in between tenants?

There is no requirement to change the locks.

However, it is good practice and a sensible thing to do in order to preserve the security of the property. The previous tenant(s) may have kept copies or may not have controlled the keys carefully, so the only way to ensure that no one else has keys to the property is to get the locks changed at the start of each new tenancy.

What happens if there is a problem with the lock and who has to resolve the issue?

As long as the problem is not caused by the tenant (e.g. negligence/damage/force), then the landlord has to rectify any issues with the lock. Issues with the lock, the mechanism, the handle, etc. should be reported to the landlord at the earliest opportunity (in writing).

What can the tenant do if the landlord does not take action regarding the tenant's concerns about security seriously?

Firstly, the tenant will need to gather evidence of the issue and will need to show that they have made formal requests in writing. If the landlord fails to respond in a reasonable time, the tenant can contact their local council’s environmental health department to request an inspection or take court action under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. It is advisable to contact Citizens Advice for specific guidance.

Who is responsible in the event of a burglary?

If the locks are of the appropriate standard and properly fitted and the property was locked up correctly, then the insurance company should cover the costs and rectification.

However, if the tenant left the property unsecure, then they will find themselves liable. If the property did not have sufficient security or the landlord did not take action to secure the property after concerns were raised, then the landlord will be responsible.

If the key breaks, who is responsible for replacing it?

It is up to the tenant to look after the key. Keys often break if they become damaged somehow. I talk more about this in my article on why keys break.

Replacing a key is a relatively low cost.

In Summary

Whether it is the landlord or the tenant, it is always advisable to use a professional, reputable local locksmith to make sure that you get the right advice and to make sure everything is working as it should.

Hopefully this Locks Q and A has helped you to gain a better insight into some of the responsibilities of each party and some useful advice in what to do in various situations.

For further information please refer to the following relevant articles, or for more advice, contact Lock Guy!