Landlord & Tenant Lock Changes

Changing the locks between tenancies is not simply a courtesy — it is a basic duty of care. Consider a typical scenario in Streatham: a tenant has lived in a flat for two years, used a local tradesperson twice, had a family member hold a spare, and perhaps had a previous housemate on the tenancy who left early. By the time the final inspection is done and the keys are returned, the actual number of key-holders is unknown. Handing that same lock to a new tenant exposes them, and you as the landlord or managing agent, to a risk that is entirely avoidable.

The same principle applies when a tenant moves in and simply does not feel confident about who may have held keys before them. Under UK tenancy law, responsibility for security sits with the landlord during the void period, but a tenant has every right to request a lock change at the start of a new tenancy and to understand what has been done. Our team handles both sides of that conversation — advising landlords and letting agents on the right specification for the property, and carrying out the work at a time that suits the handover schedule, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

Not every door in Streatham is the same, and the right lock change depends on what is already fitted and what the insurer requires. Older Victorian and Edwardian terraces — common on streets like Mitcham Lane and Greyhound Lane — typically have a Yale-type nightlatch on the top rail and a 5-lever mortice deadlock lower down. Insurers frequently ask for the mortice deadlock to meet BS3621, the British Standard for security locks. If the existing lock is below that standard, a tenancy change is the perfect moment to upgrade.

Many purpose-built flats and newer properties in Streatham use uPVC or composite doors fitted with a multipoint locking system operated by a euro cylinder. These cylinders carry a specific risk known as cylinder snapping, where an intruder can break the cylinder and operate the cam directly. Anti-snap, TS007 3-star rated cylinders are the recognised solution, and we always recommend them for euro cylinder replacements on tenanted properties. Where a door has a communal entrance as well as a flat front door — common in converted houses across the SW16 postcode district — we can change both cylinders on the same visit so security at every point is consistent.

Because we are entirely mobile, there is no need for landlords or letting agents to arrange access around a shop's opening hours. We send a technician straight to the property and are usually there within around 30 minutes of your call. That matters particularly during void periods, when a property is sitting empty between tenancies and every hour of uncertainty is an hour of unnecessary exposure. We cover the whole of Streatham — from the flats close to Streatham Hill station to the larger houses backing onto Tooting Bec Common — as well as surrounding areas when needed.

If you manage multiple properties, we can work through a planned handover schedule, attending each property in turn and providing landlords and agents with a clear record of what was fitted. All work is carried out by trained, insured technicians who take care to avoid unnecessary damage to door frames, finishes, or paintwork. Where a lock change can be done without drilling new fixings — for example, a straight euro cylinder swap on a uPVC door — we will always take that route. If you have a question about a specific door type before booking, call us on 020 4530 9860 and we will talk you through the options before anyone travels out.

We approach our service with a straightforward principle: we come to you, we assess what is there, we confirm an exact price before any work begins, and we complete the job to a standard that protects both the landlord's asset and the tenant's home. That price takes into account the type of lock, the number of doors, the parts required, the time of day, and the distance involved — everything is transparent and agreed upfront, so there are no surprises at the end of the job.

Lock changes at tenancy handovers can sometimes become a point of tension — a landlord who wants the work done the moment the old tenant leaves, a letting agent coordinating check-in and check-out on the same day, or a new tenant who arrives to find the locks have not been changed and wants that rectified before they will sign the inventory. We work with all three parties and are used to fitting in around tight handover windows, same-day requests, and situations where the previous tenant has handed the keys back late.

It is also worth noting that a landlord cannot legally change the locks while a tenant is still in lawful occupation — that would constitute an unlawful eviction, which is a criminal offence in England. If you are a landlord with a question about timing, our technicians can advise on the practical side, but for legal guidance you should speak with a solicitor or your local council's housing team. What we can do is be ready the moment the tenancy has formally ended and the property is vacant, so the new keys are cut and handed over promptly. For urgent same-day requests, call 020 4530 9860 — we answer 24 hours a day, every day of the year.