Home and Housing
Can a landlord change the locks after a Section 21?
Summary
If you’ve received a Section 21 notice, you might be wondering what it means for your tenancy - and whether your landlord can change the locks straight away. The good news is they can’t. Landlords must follow a legal process before they’re allowed to evict tenants or make changes like switching locks. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Section 21 notices, illegal eviction, and the situations where a landlord might have the right to change the locks. A Section 21 notice, sometimes referred to as a 'no-fault eviction notice', is a legal tool used by landlords to regain possession of a property at the end of a tenancy. It doesn’t require the landlord to provide a specific reason for asking the tenant to leave, making it one of the most straightforward eviction methods. If the Section 21 is valid, the tenant is expected to leave the property by the specified date unless they negotiate an extension or challenge the notice in court. * A Section 21 can only be used to terminate an assured shorthold tenancy (AST). * Landlords must provide tenants with at least two months’ notice. * Certain legal requirements must be met before a Section 21 is valid.
Key information
- A Section 21 can only be used to terminate an assured shorthold tenancy (AST).
- Landlords must provide tenants with at least two months’ notice.
- Certain legal requirements must be met before a Section 21 is valid, including providing tenants with an up-to-date gas safety certificate, an energy performance certificate (EPC), and the How to Rent guide.
- Changing locks while the tenant is still living in the property.
- Forcing the tenant out by intimidation or harassment.
- Cutting off utilities like electricity or water to pressure the tenant into leaving.
- Provide the landlord with a spare key, unless there are specific security concerns (e.g., domestic abuse)
- Private renting from Gov.UK
- If you’ve received a Section 21 notice, you might be wondering what it means for your tenancy - and whether your landlord can change the locks straight away. The good news is they can’t. Landlords must follow a legal process before they’re allowed to evict tenants or make changes like switching locks. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Section 21 notices, illegal eviction, and the situations where a landlord might have the right to change the locks.
- A Section 21 notice, sometimes referred to as a 'no-fault eviction notice', is a legal tool used by landlords to regain possession of a property at the end of a tenancy. It doesn’t require the landlord to provide a specific reason for asking the tenant to leave, making it one of the most straightforward eviction methods. If the Section 21 is valid, the tenant is expected to leave the property by the specified date unless they negotiate an extension or challenge the notice in court.
- A Section 21 can only be used to terminate an assured shorthold tenancy (AST). * Landlords must provide tenants with at least two months’ notice. * Certain legal requirements must be met before a Section 21 is valid, including providing tenants with an up-to-date gas safety certificate, an energy performance certificate (EPC), and the How to Rent guide.
- No, a landlord cannot legally change the locks on a property without following proper legal procedures. Under UK law, tenants have the right to live peacefully in the property for the duration of their tenancy. Even if a tenant is behind on rent or has been served a Section 21 notice, landlords cannot take matters into their own hands by changing locks without permission. Changing locks without a court order or agreement from the tenant is considered illegal eviction, which is a criminal offence.
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Sources
This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.