A "stranger" has a key to my house. Martin and Co don't care.

probably the people who rent the place just checking you not a messy so so.

probably thought you wouldn't notice entry.

or its some kind of man sex bandit planning later entry :p
 
If buying a new barrel for the lock, be sure to take the old one out first and measure its length. They come in varying lengths and you don't want one too short as they are insecure if they don't fall flush with the door. One too long will protrude out and look silly :p
 
You know you locked it in a certain way...?
You can 100% say that you locked the door in your usual manner (whatever that means) and it was locked differently somehow?

Seems odd that no-one knows anything about it and your only evidence that someone has wrongfully entered your property is based on the way you locked up...something you could have done differently without realising it.
I assume the way you lock up is 1 turn of the lock as opposed to two turns or vice versa. Think the second rotation introduces a deadlock?

BTW, I'm not saying your wrong....just merely suggesting it!
 
Whenever I rented I changed the locks on any door that could gain entry to the property. It was at cost to me but there is no way I will let just anyone into where I live without me being there. For inspections I always made sure I was present. At the end of the rental period I just changed the locks back to the originals.

Copy and pasta from citizens advice site as to Landlord's right of entry:
Your landlord has a right to reasonable access to carry out repairs. What ‘reasonable access’ means depends on why your landlord needs to get access. For example, in an emergency, your landlord is entitled to immediate access to carry out any necessary work.

Your landlord also has a right to enter the property to inspect the state of repair or to empty a fuel slot meter, but they should always ask for your permission and should give you at least 24 hours notice.

If you are staying in lodgings where it is agreed that your landlord provides a room-cleaning service or where you share a room with other lodgers, your landlord can enter without permission.

Your landlord does not have a right to enter in any other circumstances unless they have a court order.

As far as I can see the landlord wouldn't really know about an emergency unless you reported it thus you'd be present. Anything else it is 24 hours notice so hopefully you can ensure you're present. I'd just try to arrange a time that suits the both of you if this situation arises.
 
Gixer said:
As far as I can see the landlord wouldn't really know about an emergency unless you reported it thus you'd be present. Anything else it is 24 hours notice so hopefully you can ensure you're present. I'd just try to arrange a time that suits the both of you if this situation arises.
Click to expand...

An example of a situation where the landlord needs immediate access without you being there would be if you have a water pipe burst and it's causing damage to the property and also putting other properties at risk, and the neighbours are reporting it, while you are away or at work or etc.
 
its possible your landlord or letting agent has let themselves into your property for whatever reason although they should have given you warning, I think theres something in the letting agreement about that.

If its not them then whenever tenants move out its usual for letting agents to changes the locks on the property to prevent previous tenants from letting themselves back in, if you get no satisfactory response from the agents then I would be asking to get the locks changed and raise your concerns as the reason.

If they're at all reputable they should do this for you possibly at the cost to you, I wouldn't change something as fundamental as the locks without permission though as it does give them leverage against you as you're probably in contravention of your t&c etc.
 
Estate agents are bottom feeding scum and will require you to call them at the right millisecond in order to speak to them, the majority won't return your call or pass the message on.

I'd change the locks personally, no chances.
 
Just get a new Euro cylinder barrel for your fittings, probably £10 - £15 from Screwfix, Toolstation etc. You've been perfectly reasonable with the letting company and they have failed to respond adequately, for peace of mind do it.

Do make sure you size the locks correctly though as they do come in different barrel lengths.
 
Blackjack Davy said:
its possible your landlord or letting agent has let themselves into your property for whatever reason although they should have given you warning, I think theres something in the letting agreement about that.
tc.
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Other than in an emergency they have to give you 24hours notice.
I don't know any landlord or agency which routinely change locks.
And you a re well within your legal rights to change the locks on a rented property. Obviously have to give them keys either then or when you leave(that's a bit of a grey area) or even better just replace old locks, and not do any damage etc.
 
Sandycheeks said:
You know you locked it in a certain way...?
You can 100% say that you locked the door in your usual manner (whatever that means) and it was locked differently somehow?

Seems odd that no-one knows anything about it and your only evidence that someone has wrongfully entered your property is based on the way you locked up...something you could have done differently without realising it.
I assume the way you lock up is 1 turn of the lock as opposed to two turns or vice versa. Think the second rotation introduces a deadlock?

BTW, I'm not saying your wrong....just merely suggesting it!
Click to expand...

When I leave the house I tend to not use the key to lock the door, I suppose I should, but I don't. - There I said it on the internet. Coming to my house on a Monday night, I found out it was deadlocked. You can only deadlock my front door if you have a key to it. Therefore, someone has entered my house, left the house deadlocking the door.

Or... Someone with a key didn't enter the house and just deadlock the door, but I very much doubt someone would do that. :p
 
When you give the new keys to the agents, make sure you tell them in writing that you are following the advice of the police (you did note down the officer's name and collar no, didn't you?) and that you expect to be reimbursed for the cost of the new locks. Give them the old locks and keys and DEMAND A RECEIPT both for the letter and the old locks and keys. If you need to take time off work to do this, charge them for that as well. You are are paying for peaceable enjoyment of the property, and they have failed to provide that.
 
You know its the worst feeling in the world if someone has been in your house uninvited.

When I was 19 at uni, was was sitting in the living room in the skud on the phone, letting agents walk in. RAGE!!! EXPLOSION!!!

I frog marched him out to the close in the buff. Happy days. To this day I always lock the door when in the house and have a pi camera on the front foor. Totally freaked me out.
 
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