united-kingdom landlord security
Landlord responsibility to replace locks after possible break-in
<p>I just received word from my flatmate about a possible break-in. The building is secured by an outermost door, behind which lie doors to our flat and one other. These doors are also kept locked, but today my flatmate returned home to find our flat's door open without sign of forced entry.</p>

<p>We have only started to move in very recently and are still moving things between properties. The property in question is managed by an estate agent.</p>

<p>Do we have any legal grounding for demanding that the locks be replaced and room keys provided? (We were not supplied with individual room keys despite the doors coming with locks).</p>

<p>EDIT: Following confirmation from someone living in the other flat, my flatmate is certain that the door was shut and locked before his leaving. Also, there doesn't appear to be anything missing, though that doesn't rule out a break-in.</p>

<p>Yes ! One of the first things any tenant in a new property should do is arrange with the landlord for the locks to be changed. You don't know how much time has passed since last they were changed and how many people may have copies of the keys. </p>

<p>As such, even if there were no trespassing, it's a security risk for you and your home and it disrupts your "right of quiet enjoyment" which stipulates you have exclusive and private access to your home. </p>

<p>Your landlord has a right to access, though they must coordinate this with you and provide you at least <a href="http://www.thetenantsvoice.co.uk/advice_from_us/landlord-access/" rel="nofollow">24 hour notice</a> requesting access. Though you're also free to deny them access, if it's not convenient for you.</p>

<p>You can even arrange the change of the locks yourself and provide a spare key to your landlord.</p>
