Romford Town Locksmith Service Team
Local locksmith team
16 Sep 2026 11 min read
Changing the locks on a rented property is one of those topics that sounds straightforward until you are actually in the situation — whether you are a landlord preparing for new tenants, a tenant who has just moved in and feels uneasy about who else might hold a key, or someone in the middle of a dispute. The rules around who can change the lock, when, and how are clearer than many people realise, and getting them right protects both parties from serious legal and practical consequences.
This guide sets out the legal position in England and Wales, explains the practical steps involved in a tenancy lock change, and covers what to do if things go wrong. Where lock changes in Romford and the surrounding areas are concerned, our team at Romford Town Locksmith is on hand around the clock to handle the work safely, correctly, and with full respect for the rights of everyone involved.
## Who Has the Right to Change the Lock on a Rented Property?
The short answer is that both landlords and tenants can change the lock on a rented property — but only under specific circumstances, and with specific obligations attached. A landlord owns the property and is ultimately responsible for its security, but once a tenancy agreement is in place, the tenant has the legal right to quiet enjoyment of that home. That right means the landlord cannot simply turn up and change the lock without the tenant's knowledge or consent while a valid tenancy is running. Doing so is known as an illegal eviction, which is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. It carries serious penalties, regardless of whether rent arrears or other disputes exist.
A tenant, on the other hand, may change the lock during their tenancy — but should check the tenancy agreement first, since many require the landlord's written consent before any alterations are made to the property. If the tenant does change the lock, they are usually expected to provide the landlord or letting agent with a copy of the new key so access can be gained for inspections or emergency repairs, again subject to the terms of the agreement. At the end of a tenancy, it is the landlord's right and responsibility to arrange a lock change before new occupants move in — and this is where most legitimate lock changes on rented properties take place.
## When Should a Landlord Change the Lock? Practical Scenarios Across Romford
The most common and straightforward situation is an end-of-tenancy lock change. When one set of tenants moves out and another moves in, the prudent and professional approach is to have every external door lock changed before handing over new keys. Even where outgoing tenants return all copies, there is no way to be certain that duplicates were not made during the tenancy. For landlords managing properties across Romford — from Victorian terraces near the town centre on South Street to purpose-built flats closer to the RM1 and RM7 postcode districts — this is a routine part of turning a property around between lettings.
Other legitimate scenarios include a tenant reporting a lost or stolen key, a relationship breakdown where one occupant has left and there are safety concerns, or following a break-in where the existing lock has been damaged or compromised. In each of these cases, arranging a professional lock change Romford landlords and tenants can rely on is the right move — not just for security, but to satisfy insurance requirements. Many home and landlord insurance policies ask for BS3621-rated 5-lever mortice deadlocks on timber doors, or TS007 3-star anti-snap euro cylinders on uPVC and composite doors. A trained locksmith will know exactly which standard applies and can advise before any work begins.
If you are a tenant in Romford who is concerned about security after a dispute, or a landlord preparing a flat between tenancies, do not hesitate to call us on 020 3757 6539. We are available every day of the year, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
## What a Professional Lock Change Romford Actually Involves
A door lock replacement Romford residents request most often falls into one of two categories: a cylinder replacement on a uPVC or composite door, or a full lock change on a traditional timber door fitted with a Yale-type nightlatch and a mortice deadlock. For uPVC doors — which are common in Romford's newer builds and converted flats — the euro cylinder is the component that is replaced. The cylinder is the barrel that the key turns, and swapping it out is relatively quick when done by an experienced locksmith. If the existing cylinder shows signs of wear, damage, or is a standard grade that offers little resistance to snapping, upgrading to an anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-drill cylinder at the same time is strongly advisable.
For older timber doors, the mortice deadlock sits within the door itself and may need the full lock body replaced rather than just the cylinder. A trained locksmith will assess the door, the frame, and the existing hardware before recommending the right course of action. Upvc door lock repair Romford calls sometimes reveal that the fault lies not in the lock cylinder but in the multipoint locking mechanism — the long strip of hooks and bolts that runs up and down the door edge. This is a different job entirely, and a good locksmith will diagnose it accurately before quoting. All quotes from our team are confirmed in full before any work starts, so there are no surprises on the day.
## Can a Locksmith Install a Deadlock, and What Should You Upgrade To?
[8] Yes — and in many cases it is the recommended course of action when a lock change is being carried out anyway. Can a locksmith install a deadlock or mortice deadlock? Absolutely. A skilled locksmith can supply and fit a mortice deadlock to a timber door, upgrade a nightlatch to a higher-security model, or replace a standard euro cylinder with a TS007 3-star rated anti-snap alternative on a uPVC or composite door. For landlords in Romford, fitting insurance-grade locks at the point of a tenancy change is both practical and cost-effective — it satisfies insurer requirements and reduces the likelihood of a future break-in.
Some tenants also ask about coded or combination locks for internal doors or secondary access points, particularly in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) where individual rooms may need to be secured separately. If you are wondering how to change the code on a door lock or how to change the door lock code on a digital or combination unit, the process varies considerably by manufacturer. For keypad locks, how to change the code on a Honeywell door lock, for example, typically involves holding a programme button and entering an existing admin code before setting the new one — the exact sequence is in the product manual. How to change the code on a combination lock (the mechanical dial or push-button variety found on some internal doors) usually involves a reset tool or a specific sequence detailed by the manufacturer. If you are unsure how do I change the code on my door lock or the instructions have been lost, our team can advise and, where needed, replace or reconfigure the unit on-site.
## What to Do If You Are Locked Out, or If a Landlord Has Changed the Lock Without Notice
If you are a tenant who has returned home to find the locks have been changed without warning, this is likely an illegal eviction. Do not attempt to force entry. The first step is to contact your letting agent or landlord immediately in writing — email or text so there is a record — and state clearly that you require re-entry. If you cannot reach them or they refuse, you can contact Havering Council's housing team, which covers the Romford area, or seek emergency legal advice. In a genuinely urgent situation where you believe you are being illegally evicted, the police can also attend, as it is a criminal matter.
For landlords and tenants locked out through ordinary circumstances — a lost key, a lock fault, or a door that has simply jammed — the process is more straightforward. As a 24 hour locksmith Romford residents can rely on at any time of day or night, we respond quickly when someone is locked out Romford and needs access restored safely. We send a locksmith straight away and are usually with you in around 30 minutes, though we ask you to bear in mind that travel time can vary depending on location and conditions. We will always confirm ownership or tenancy before beginning any work. Call 020 3757 6539 at any hour — our team answers every call directly, with no automated queue.
## Choosing a Locksmith for a Tenancy Lock Change in Romford
When a landlord or letting agent commissions a lock change between tenancies, the locksmith they use reflects directly on the standard of the property and the security offered to incoming tenants. At Romford Town Locksmith, our experienced team handles lock changes at all types of residential property across Romford and the surrounding areas, from individual flats in blocks off the Market Place to larger houses across the RM postcodes. Every job is approached with the same care: the right lock for the door type, correctly fitted, with new keys cut and tested before we leave.
The factors that influence the cost of a lock change include the type and grade of lock being fitted, the number of doors, the time of day (evenings, weekends and bank holidays may carry a different rate), and travel distance. All of this is discussed and confirmed as a clear, fixed quote before any work begins — there are no hidden charges added afterwards. As an emergency locksmith Romford property owners and tenants trust, we are insured, experienced, and committed to doing the job correctly the first time. If you are a landlord with a property turning over, a letting agent managing multiple sites, or a tenant with a security concern, we are ready to help. Call us on 020 3757 6539 — we answer 24/7, every day of the year.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord change the locks without telling the tenant?+
No. While a tenancy is active, a landlord cannot change the locks without the tenant's knowledge or consent. Doing so is an illegal eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and is a criminal offence. The only legitimate time for a landlord to change the locks without prior notice to the occupant would be after a tenancy has formally ended and the property has been vacated. If you believe a landlord has changed your locks unlawfully, contact your local council's housing department or seek legal advice promptly.
Does a tenant need permission to change the lock on their rented flat?+
It depends on the tenancy agreement. Many agreements require the tenant to obtain the landlord's written consent before making alterations to the property, and locks are usually considered an alteration. If consent is given or not required, the tenant should provide the landlord or letting agent with a copy of the new key so lawful access for inspections and emergencies is maintained. Changing a lock and refusing access to the landlord can itself create legal complications, so it is worth reviewing your agreement and communicating clearly before proceeding.
How do I know what type of lock my uPVC door needs?+
Most uPVC and composite doors in Romford use a euro cylinder lock, which is the oval-shaped barrel that the key enters. The correct size is measured as the total length of the cylinder, split between the external and internal sides — for example, 35mm outside and 45mm inside, written as 35/45. If you are unsure, a professional locksmith can measure the existing cylinder and supply the correct replacement, ideally an anti-snap, TS007 3-star rated model that meets current insurance standards. Never guess the size, as a cylinder that is too long protruding on the outside is a known vulnerability to snap attacks.
What is the difference between a lock change and a cylinder replacement?+
A cylinder replacement means only the barrel that accepts the key is swapped out — this is what is done on most uPVC and composite doors, and it is quicker and more straightforward. A full lock change means the entire lock body is removed and replaced, which is more common on timber doors fitted with a mortice deadlock, where the mechanism sits within the door itself. In both cases the end result is that old keys no longer work and fresh keys are issued. A locksmith will advise which approach is appropriate for your specific door after a brief inspection.
