Landlord Locksmith Services

Renting out a property comes with specific lock and security duties — and a few legal traps that catch even careful landlords. You need former tenants’ keys to stop working, locks that satisfy your insurer, and a fast turnaround between tenancies so a property is never left unsecured. LocksmithLocal works with landlords and letting agents across your area: one named, City & Guilds accredited local locksmith, fixed prices, and no call-out fee.

Between-Tenancy Lock Changes

The single most important lock job for any landlord is the changeover between tenants. Once a property is empty and you have lawfully regained possession, you do not know who still holds a working key — the outgoing tenant, a partner, a friend, a previous occupier from years back. Changing or re-keying the locks between tenancies closes that off and protects the incoming tenant.

It is not an absolute legal duty in every case, but it is strongly advised, is often written into tenancy agreements, and is frequently expected by insurers — and after any break-in or lost-key incident it becomes urgent. We turn these around quickly, usually same-day, so a void period never leaves a property unsecured.

You often do not need to replace the whole lock. On most modern doors, swapping or re-pinning the euro cylinder is enough to stop old keys working — faster and more cost-effective than a full lockset. Where the existing lock is worn, poor quality or no longer meets your insurer’s standard, a full change is the better call. Our guide to changing locks between tenancies covers the choice, and our cost guide sets out honest UK ranges.

The Law — What You Can & Can’t Do

This is the area that lands landlords in real trouble, so it is worth being precise. You must never change the locks to exclude a tenant who is still living in the property. Doing so — over rent arrears, a dispute, or simply to force someone out — is an illegal eviction under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, a criminal offence that can carry an unlimited fine and, in the Crown Court, up to two years’ imprisonment, plus a damages claim from the tenant. The position is the same whether or not notice has been served and whether or not rent is owed. Instructing a locksmith to do it for you is no defence — the responsibility stays with you.

Since the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, the only lawful route to regain possession of a let property in England is a Section 8 notice citing a valid ground (Section 21 no-fault notices can no longer be used), followed, if the tenant does not leave, by a court possession order and court-appointed enforcement. Only once the property is genuinely empty — between tenancies, or after possession has been lawfully recovered — should the locks be changed.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, the authoritative sources are GOV.UK, the NRLA and, for the tenant’s side, Shelter — and a housing solicitor where a possession claim is involved. Our role is the locks, done at the lawful point. There is more in our guide to whether a tenant can change the locks.

Insurance & Lock Standards

Many landlord insurance policies specify the locks that must be fitted to a let property — commonly a five-lever mortice deadlock to BS3621 on timber external doors, or anti-snap TS007 3-star cylinders on uPVC and composite doors, with key-operated locks on accessible windows. Fit anything below the specified standard and a claim can be refused. We fit to the standard your policy requires and tell you exactly what has been installed, so your cover stays valid — see our guide to landlord lock and security responsibilities.

HMOs & Portfolios

Houses in multiple occupation carry extra duties, and locks sit right in the middle of them. Bedroom locks, communal-door security and — critically — fire-door and escape arrangements all interact: a thumbturn that lets a tenant out of their room without a key, escape doors that open freely, and door closers that actually work are safety essentials, not extras.

For portfolio landlords, a keyed-alike or master-key approach across a block cuts key admin dramatically — you carry one management key while each tenant’s key opens only their own door. We can design that around how your portfolio actually runs. Our guide to HMO locks, fire doors and compliance goes into the detail.

For Letting Agents & Property Managers

If you manage properties on landlords’ behalf, you need a locksmith who is reliable, documented and fast. We handle between-tenancy changes to a schedule, hold and manage spare keys securely, cut additional sets, and keep a record of what is fitted where — so when a tenant changes or an emergency hits, it is one call and the job is done.

What We Do for Landlords

• Between-tenancy lock changes and re-keying, usually same-day.
• BS3621 deadlocks and TS007 3-star cylinders to meet insurer and tenancy requirements.
• Keyed-alike and master-key suites across a portfolio to cut key admin.
• HMO and communal-door security, with fire-safe thumbturns and working closers.
• Key holding and spare management for agents and managers.
• Security upgrades after a break-in or to meet an insurance condition.
• Emergency lockouts when a tenant is locked out or a lock has failed.