If you rent your home or let a property out, you need to know exactly where you stand before anyone touches the locks. The short answer is that a tenant needs the landlord's agreement first, and a landlord cannot change the locks to keep a tenant out. Changing the locks to force a tenant to leave is illegal eviction, which is a criminal offence with heavy penalties. Whether you are dealing with a standard rim cylinder on a flat door or a complex multipoint locking mechanism on a modern house, the law treats access to the property very strictly. Getting this wrong can lead to lost deposits for tenants and criminal records for landlords.
Can a tenant change the locks
Tenants often want to change the locks when they move in, if they lose a key, or if they split up with a partner. You might feel unsafe because you do not know who else has a copy of the front door key. While it is easy to call a local locksmith to swap a euro cylinder (the barrel on uPVC and composite doors), you must check your tenancy agreement first.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) states that a tenant will breach their contract if they change the locks without the landlord's permission. Your tenancy agreement is a legal contract that sets out what you can and cannot do to the property. Check whether your agreement says anything about the locks. Adding a night latch or rim lock (the surface latch often called a Yale lock) or changing the locking mechanism counts as changing the locks, so get the landlord's agreement first.
If you feel unsafe and want to change the locks, follow these steps:
- Speak to your landlord to explain why you want new locks.
- Ask for their permission to hire a professional locksmith.
- Get their agreement in writing before you book the work.
- Ask if they have a preferred locksmith or if you can choose your own.
When choosing a locksmith, remember that there is no government licensing of locksmiths in the UK. Anyone can trade as one. You should look for someone who is vetted. The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) runs a voluntary approval scheme where companies are vetted, have criminal record (DBS) checks, employ locksmiths who have passed the MLA exam and are inspected regularly.
What tenants usually have to do
When a landlord agrees to let you change the locks, they will usually set out some conditions. The NRLA notes that where tenants change locks, the tenancy will usually require the tenant to provide the landlord with a set of the new keys.
If you go ahead and change the locks without asking, you risk losing money when you move out. Landlords may deduct lock replacement costs from your deposit. You may also need to restore the original locks at the end of your tenancy. This means paying a locksmith twice, once to fit the new lock and again to put the old one back.
If you lose your keys or suffer a break-in, you might need a locksmith urgently in the middle of the night. Even in an emergency, try to contact your landlord or letting agent first. If you cannot reach them when you lose your house keys and have to hire an emergency locksmith to secure the door, keep the receipt and the invoice.
You will still need to explain what happened and hand over a spare key as soon as possible. Be aware that out-of-hours jobs cost more. Locksmith prices are driven by the time of day, so evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays will push the bill up. Ask for a total price including parts and VAT before the locksmith starts work.
Can a landlord change the locks
Landlords sometimes think they can change the locks if a tenant stops paying rent, damages the property, or refuses to leave at the end of a contract. The NRLA is very clear on this point, stating that if the tenancy is still active, there are very few circumstances when changing the locks is legal. A landlord cannot change the locks while a tenancy is legally in existence.
This rule applies no matter how difficult the situation has become. Even where a tenant is in arrears, a landlord should obtain a possession order and enforce it before changing the locks. You cannot take matters into your own hands to force a tenant out, nor can you hire a locksmith to drill the lock and fit a new rim cylinder (the keyhole part of a night latch) while the tenant is at the shops.
If you are a landlord dealing with a problem tenant, you must follow the correct legal process. This means serving the right notice, applying to the court for a possession order, and waiting for a court bailiff to carry out the eviction. Until that happens, the tenant has a legal right to live in the property and use the doors.
Only once a court bailiff has carried out the eviction should a landlord arrange for a locksmith to change the locks.
Why changing locks to remove a tenant is illegal eviction
Trying to force a tenant out by changing the locks is a serious crime that carries heavy penalties. The NRLA states that the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 prevents landlords from unlawfully evicting tenants, including changing the locks while your tenant is out. Shelter lists changing the locks while you are out as an example of illegal eviction by a private landlord or anyone acting for them.
It is a criminal offence for a landlord to evict you without taking the right legal steps. Only a court bailiff can evict you, and only after a legal notice and a court order. If a landlord hires someone to change the mortice deadlock or sashlock (fitted inside a timber door) to keep you out, they are breaking the law.
The penalties for breaking this law are severe, and replacing locks also comes with clear costs and rules. The table below shows the key figures and maximum penalties published for landlords.
|
Rule or cost type |
Figure stated by the NRLA |
|---|---|
|
Lock replacement costs |
80 to 200 pounds depending on the lock |
|
Notice to enter the property |
24 hours |
|
Civil penalty for illegal eviction |
Up to 40,000 pounds |
|
Prison sentence for illegal eviction |
Up to two years |
These are figures stated by the NRLA in a page published on 5 October 2026. The lock cost depends on the lock, local quotes will differ and the exact penalties are decided by the courts. Local authorities can issue the civil penalties, and tenants may also bring civil claims for damages and injunctions. Beware of unmarked vehicles and tradespeople who demand cash only with no invoice.
Keys and access during a tenancy
A landlord cannot simply turn up and let themselves in. The NRLA states that landlords should give 24 hours written notice to enter a property, except in emergencies.
An emergency might be a flood, a fire, or a strong smell of gas where waiting would put lives or the building at risk. In everyday situations, such as routine inspections, gas safety checks, or carrying out repairs, the landlord must ask permission and give the proper notice.
The rules on keys are just as strict when a tenancy is coming to an end. The NRLA states that you must never withhold keys from tenants, even after serving a notice to quit or when a Section 8 notice expires. Until the tenancy is legally over and the tenant has moved out, they must have full access to their home.
What happens if a tenant surrenders possession
Sometimes a tenant leaves the property before the tenancy has officially ended. If a tenant has surrendered possession, the landlord can change the locks, but only where the tenant has genuinely left with no intention to return.
However, guessing that a tenant has left is dangerous. The NRLA warns that it is extremely risky to change the locks if the landlord has not received confirmation that the tenancy is over. A tenant might be in hospital, on a long holiday, or staying with family for a few weeks while keeping their belongings in the flat.
If a landlord changes the locks believing the property is abandoned, and the tenant returns, the landlord could face a claim of illegal eviction. If you are a landlord and you are not completely sure the tenant has surrendered the property, you must seek proper advice before calling a locksmith.
If a property is genuinely empty and the doors or windows have been damaged, a landlord might need to arrange boarding up. This secures the building temporarily with timber panels until new doors or glass can be fitted. Once the property is secure, the landlord can take their time finding a locksmith to fit new locks at the daytime rate.
Changing locks between tenancies
When one tenant moves out and a new one is due to move in, the security situation changes. The NRLA notes that there is no legal requirement to change locks between tenancies, but it is strongly recommended. The NRLA's reason is that other people may have had access to the keys.
Over the course of a tenancy, many people might have held a key. Partners, contractors and letting agents may have had access to the keys and made copies. Even if the previous tenant hands back the exact number of keys they were given, you cannot know if a spare is sitting in a drawer somewhere.
A professional locksmith can fit a new euro cylinder or mortice lock quickly, usually in well under an hour. Ensure the new lock meets the right standard for the door. For timber doors, look for BS3621, which is the British Standard shown by a Kitemark on the lock faceplate. For uPVC and composite doors, ask for a snap-resistant standard such as TS007 three-star or Sold Secure SS312 Diamond to protect against lock snapping.
Who pays for new locks and repairs
The person who pays for the locksmith depends on why the locks are being changed. The NRLA gives lock costs of 80 to 200 pounds depending on the lock for a landlord who changes them between tenancies.
If a tenant changes the locks without permission, the tenant arranges and pays for that work. As the NRLA explains, the landlord may then deduct lock replacement costs from the deposit.
When a lock breaks because it is old or faulty, check the tenancy agreement and ask the landlord who should arrange the repair. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any service arranged by the landlord must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price if none was agreed. If the multipoint locking mechanism (the strip of hooks and bolts worked by lifting the handle) on a uPVC door fails, the landlord can arrange a locksmith to look at uPVC door lock problems.
You should also watch out for common scams when hiring a locksmith. A dishonest tradesperson might use these tactics:
- Advertising as a local locksmith when they are actually a national call centre passing the job to whoever is nearest.
- Quoting a very low price on the phone that multiplies on the doorstep.
- Drilling a lock that could have been opened without damage.
- Replacing a whole multipoint mechanism when only the cylinder or gearbox (the central part of that mechanism) had failed.
- Fitting cheap cylinders at premium prices.
- Refusing to give a total price before starting the work.
- Operating from an unmarked vehicle and demanding cash only with no invoice.
Where to get advice and your consumer rights
The rules explained here describe the law in England. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you must check your own local rules, as housing law differs across the UK. Never guess what your rights are when it comes to eviction or property access.
If you are a tenant and you think you have been illegally evicted, you should seek advice straight away. Do not try to force your way back into the property or break in to your own home in a way that risks injury.
You can also get free, independent guidance from charities. Shelter and Citizens Advice offer detailed help for both tenants and landlords. A locksmith can change a lock safely, but they cannot give you firm legal advice on evictions or tenancy disputes.
When you arrange a locksmith visit by phone, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 there is normally a 14-day cancellation period. However, this does not apply where you specifically asked for a visit for urgent repairs. If you lock yourself out and ask for an urgent visit, the cancellation period does not apply, although extra work sold during that visit is not covered by the exception.
Common questions
Can I change the lock if my keys are stolen?
If your keys are stolen, you should contact your landlord immediately to explain the risk. Ask the landlord to agree to an urgent lock change and get that agreement in writing. The tenancy will usually require you to give the landlord a set of the new keys.
Does my landlord have to give me 24 hours notice?
Yes, landlords should give 24 hours written notice to enter a property for inspections or repairs. The only exception is a genuine emergency, such as a fire or a major water leak.
Can a landlord change locks for rent arrears?
No, a landlord cannot change the locks to force you out, even if you are behind on your rent. They must obtain a possession order from a court and wait for a court bailiff to enforce it. Changing the locks without following this process is a criminal offence.
Is it illegal to withhold a key from a tenant?
Yes, a landlord must never withhold keys from tenants while the tenancy is legally active. This applies even after serving a notice to quit. The tenant must have access until the tenancy is properly ended and they have moved out.
Can I fit a smart lock to a rented home?
You must get your landlord's written permission before fitting a smart lock, just as you would for a traditional lock. Fitting a smart lock without consent breaches your tenancy agreement. You may need to restore the original lock at the end of the tenancy.
Next steps
Before you book a locksmith or make any changes to the doors on a rented property, run through this checklist:
- Check your tenancy agreement to see what it says about altering the locks.
- Speak to your landlord and get written permission before you arrange a lock change.
- Make sure you have a spare key ready to hand over to the landlord if they agree to the work.
- Confirm the tenancy is legally over before you change the locks on an empty property.
- Ask the locksmith for a total price, including parts, VAT and any out-of-hours charge, before work starts.
- Ask how entry will be gained and whether drilling is likely, as non-destructive entry is usually possible.
- Check the business has a real local address, reviews over time, and any MLA approval claim on the MLA's own site.
- Ask for ID on arrival and a written invoice when the job is done.
Knowing your rights and responsibilities keeps both tenants and landlords on the right side of the law. If you have the right permission and need to secure your home, you can find a locksmith near you to get the job done properly.
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