Erith Locksmiths Service Team
Local locksmith team
16 Sep 2026 12 min read
Changing the locks on a rented property is one of those topics where the law, common sense, and practical logistics all collide at once — and getting any part of it wrong can be costly for both landlords and tenants. Whether you are a tenant in Erith who has just moved into a flat on Bexley Road and wants to know if your landlord can swap your locks without warning, or a landlord in Belvedere trying to work out what you are legally entitled to do between tenancies, this guide cuts through the confusion.
We cover who has the right to change the lock, when that right applies, what actually happens during a professional lock change, and how to avoid the mistakes that land people in court or leave a property unsecured. Where the work calls for a qualified locksmith — and it usually does — the team at Erith Locksmiths is available around the clock across the DA8, DA17, and DA18 postcode districts.
## Can a Landlord Change the Locks — and When Is It Actually Legal?
The short answer is yes, a landlord can change the lock on a rented property — but only in specific circumstances, and never while a tenancy is still active without the tenant's knowledge and agreement. Under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, changing the locks on a tenant without a court order is illegal eviction, regardless of whether rent is overdue or the relationship has broken down. A landlord who does this faces a criminal offence and a potential civil claim from the tenant. The law in England and Wales is clear on this point, and it does not matter whether the property is a house in Erith, a flat in a block off Walnut Tree Road in Belvedere, or a studio in a housing association building.
The legitimate moments for a landlord to arrange a lock change are: at the end of a tenancy once the tenant has formally vacated and returned all keys; between tenancies as routine security practice; or following a court-ordered eviction where bailiffs have attended and possession has been formally handed back. In any of these situations, instructing a professional locksmith is not just convenient — it creates a clear record that the work was done properly and that the new keys were issued to the correct parties.
## Quick Guide: Replacement vs Installation vs Change vs Repair — What You Are Actually Asking For
These four words get used interchangeably, but they mean different things when you call a locksmith. A lock change — sometimes called a cylinder change — means swapping out the existing lock mechanism or euro cylinder for a new one, so that all previous keys are immediately redundant. This is the most common request at tenancy changeovers and is what most people mean when they say 'change the lock'. A lock replacement refers to fitting an entirely new lock unit, including the case, which is necessary when the existing hardware is damaged, worn, or not up to insurance standards. Installation means fitting a lock where none previously existed — for example, adding a 5-lever mortice deadlock to a rear door that only had a latch. Repair covers adjusting, lubricating, or replacing internal components when the lock is stiff, the cylinder is turning without engaging, or a uPVC multipoint mechanism has dropped and the door will not close properly.
Understanding which of these you need helps you get a faster, more accurate quote. For tenancy changeovers, a cylinder change is usually sufficient on a uPVC or composite front door. On older timber doors with a traditional 5-lever mortice deadlock and a Yale-type nightlatch, both cylinders may need attention. If the property is in a block of flats, there may also be a communal entrance lock to consider — something a locksmith familiar with Belvedere and Erith's mix of Victorian terraces, 1960s estates, and newer-build flats will factor in automatically.
## What Happened? What Can I Do? Understanding the Most Common Lock Disputes
Scenario one: a tenant arrives home to find the locks have been changed and their possessions are still inside. This is an emergency situation. The tenant should not attempt to force entry — doing so risks damage to the door and could complicate any legal claim. The correct steps are to contact the landlord or letting agent immediately in writing, to contact the local council's housing team (Bexley Council covers much of the Erith and Belvedere area), and if necessary to seek emergency legal advice. A locksmith can verify that a lock has been changed and document the hardware, which can be useful evidence. For immediate safe re-entry arranged with legal authority, our team can attend quickly — call 020 3757 5599 and explain the situation so we can advise on the right course of action.
Scenario two: a landlord discovers that an outgoing tenant has changed the locks themselves during the tenancy without permission. Tenants may change the lock on their own home — it is their right to feel secure — but they should provide a copy of the new key to the landlord for genuine emergencies and must restore the original lock (or an equivalent) at the end of the tenancy. If they have not, the landlord can instruct a locksmith to change the lock back once the tenancy has ended and possession has been returned. Scenario three: neither party changed the locks, but a key has gone missing — perhaps a previous tenant's spare was not returned, or a key was lost during a move. In this case, a prompt lock change is simply good practice and protects both parties.
## Lock Changes at Tenancy Changeovers: What a Professional Visit Actually Looks Like
A door lock replacement in Belvedere or anywhere across the Erith area typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes for a standard residential front door, though the time varies depending on the door type, the number of locks, and whether any repairs are needed alongside the swap. When you call Erith Locksmiths, we confirm an exact up-front price before anyone sets off — the final quote depends on factors such as the type of lock, the door material, the time of day (evenings, weekends, and bank holidays are relevant), travel distance, and any parts required. There are no hidden additions once the work is agreed.
On arrival, our experienced locksmith will assess the existing hardware. For uPVC doors — very common in the flats and terraces around Manor Road and Bronze Age Way in Erith — this usually means replacing the euro cylinder inside the multipoint lock. We carry anti-snap, anti-pick cylinders that meet TS007 3-star standards, which many home insurers ask for by name. On older timber doors, we check the 5-lever mortice deadlock and the Yale-type nightlatch separately, since both may need attention. We always test the new lock with every key cut before we leave, and we make sure the door closes and latches correctly — a lock is only as good as the door it sits in. If you are a landlord managing multiple properties in DA8 or DA17, we can coordinate visits between tenancies to minimise void-period risk. If you are a visitor to this site looking for emergency help right now, the number to call is 020 3757 5599 — we send a locksmith straight away and are usually with you in around 30 minutes.
## If You Are the Owner of This Property: Routine Security Between Tenancies
A tenancy changeover is the ideal moment to audit the entire door security of a property, not just swap one cylinder. Insurance providers increasingly specify BS3621-rated mortice deadlocks on timber doors, and TS007 3-star cylinders on uPVC and composite doors. If your property's locks have not been reviewed in several years, there is a reasonable chance the hardware does not meet current standards — which matters both for your insurer and for the safety of your incoming tenants. Can a locksmith install a deadlock? Absolutely — this is one of the most common requests we receive at changeovers, particularly on rear doors and garden-side entrances where only a latch has previously been fitted.
Beyond the front door, consider whether a uPVC door lock repair in Belvedere or Erith is overdue on a back door or patio door. Multipoint locking mechanisms on older uPVC frames can drop over time, making the door difficult to close or leaving the bolts misaligned. Repairing or replacing this mechanism at the same visit as a tenancy lock change is efficient and means the property is properly secured from day one of the new tenancy. Our team covers the full DA8, DA17, and DA18 areas, and we work across the week including evenings and bank holidays, so a changeover lock change can almost always be timed to suit completion and move-in dates.
## Keypad and Combination Locks in Rented Properties: What to Know
Electronic and combination locks are becoming more common in rented properties, particularly in houses of multiple occupation and short-let properties. If your property has a keypad lock, knowing how to change the code on a door lock is essential at every tenancy changeover — leaving a previous tenant's code active is the equivalent of not changing a physical key. The process varies by manufacturer: on some models you change the door lock code through a programming sequence on the keypad itself, while others require a master code or a physical override key. If the lock is a Honeywell model, how to change the code on a Honeywell door lock will depend on the specific series, but typically involves holding the programme button, entering the existing master code, and then entering the new code twice to confirm. Many tenants and landlords ask how do I change the code on my door lock after a move — the honest answer is to check the manufacturer's guide first, since each brand has its own sequence, and if the guide has been lost or the previous code is unknown, a locksmith can often reset the mechanism rather than replace the whole unit.
Combination padlocks used on outbuildings or communal gates follow a different process — how to change the code on a combination lock typically involves setting the existing code, pressing a reset button, and dialling in the new sequence — but these are standalone products and usually straightforward to reset independently. The more involved work, such as reprogramming a smart lock that has lost its pairing or replacing a faulty keypad unit on a main entrance door, is where a professional visit saves time and prevents accidental lockouts. If you are unsure whether your electronic lock has been properly reset at a tenancy change, it is worth having it checked before handing keys — or codes — to new tenants.
Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord change the locks while I am still a tenant?+
No. In England and Wales, changing the locks on a property while a tenancy is still running — without the tenant's consent and without a court order — is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. It does not matter whether rent is in arrears or whether the landlord claims there has been a breach of contract. The only lawful route to recovering possession is through the courts. If this has happened to you in the Erith or Belvedere area, contact your local council's housing team and seek legal advice. You can also call us on 020 3757 5599 for guidance on what a locksmith can and cannot do to help in your specific situation.
Can a locksmith install a deadlock on a door that has never had one?+
Yes, and it is one of the most common requests we receive, particularly on rear doors and side doors in older terraced properties and flats across Erith, Belvedere, and the wider DA8 and DA17 areas. Installing a 5-lever mortice deadlock where only a nightlatch previously existed significantly improves security and often brings the door up to the standard that home insurers require. The locksmith will check that the door frame is suitable, cut the mortice housing if needed, and fit and test the lock in a single visit. The price depends on the lock specification, door material, and any additional work required — we confirm an exact figure before starting.
How do I change the code on my door lock if the previous tenant set it and I do not know what it is?+
If the existing code is unknown, most keypad locks have a physical override cylinder or a factory reset procedure that can restore the unit to its default state, after which you can programme a new code. The method varies considerably between manufacturers — the process for how to change the code on a Honeywell door lock, for example, differs from other brands. If the override cylinder has been lost or the reset procedure does not work, a locksmith can assess whether the mechanism can be reset, re-programmed, or whether the keypad unit needs replacing. Calling in a professional at this point is usually faster and less frustrating than working through manufacturer support, particularly if the property needs to be ready for new tenants quickly.
What is the difference between a lock change and a lock repair, and which one do I need at a tenancy changeover?+
A lock change — also called a cylinder change — replaces the working part of the lock so that all old keys stop working immediately. This is the standard recommendation at every tenancy changeover, since you cannot always be certain how many copies of the old keys exist. A lock repair is appropriate when the existing mechanism is faulty — for example, a uPVC multipoint lock that has dropped out of alignment, a stiff mortice deadlock, or a nightlatch that is not springing back correctly — but security has not been compromised by outstanding keys. At a tenancy changeover, it is common to need both: a cylinder change on the front door and a repair or adjustment on a secondary door. Our locksmith will assess both when they attend and confirm what work is needed before starting.
