The short answer
In England there is no general law that says a landlord must change the locks between tenants. However, landlords must keep the property reasonably secure, and many insurers and letting agents expect locks to be changed or rekeyed when a tenant leaves. In practice, changing the locks between tenancies is the safest and most common approach.
Why most landlords change locks anyway
- Former tenants may have made copies of keys.
- Your landlord insurance may not pay out if a break-in uses an old key.
- New tenants expect to be the only people with keys, apart from you or your agent.
- It shows good practice if there is ever a dispute.
What the landlord is responsible for
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords must keep the structure and exterior of the property in repair, which includes outside doors and their locks. Tenants are usually responsible for lost keys and any damage they cause. Check your tenancy agreement for the exact wording.
Change or rekey between tenants?
| Door type | Best option |
|---|---|
| uPVC or composite door | New Euro cylinder, ideally TS007 3-star anti-snap |
| Timber door with good mortice lock | Rekey the lock, or replace with BS 3621 if old |
| HMO room doors | Change cylinders, or use a master key system |
Managing keys across several lets
- Keep a simple record of how many keys exist for each property.
- Collect all keys at check-out and note any missing.
- Book the lock change for the gap between tenancies.
- Consider a master key system for HMOs, so you hold one key for all rooms.
Costs
Checkatrade's May 2026 guide puts a standard lock change at about £100 to £150. Landlords with several properties can save by booking multiple jobs together. We work with landlords and letting agents and give a written price for each property.
Related service: lock change between tenancies.
A few common questions
Do landlords have to change locks between tenants?expand_more
In England there is no general legal requirement to change locks between tenants. However, landlords must keep the property secure, and insurers and agents often expect it. Changing or rekeying the locks when a tenant leaves is the safest approach and protects both you and your new tenant.
Who pays for a lock change between tenants?expand_more
The landlord usually pays for routine lock changes between tenancies. If a tenant lost keys or failed to return them, the tenancy agreement may allow the landlord to recover the cost from the deposit. Check your agreement and keep receipts for the work carried out.
Can a tenant change the locks themselves?expand_more
Tenants should not change the locks without the landlord's permission, as most tenancy agreements forbid it. If a tenant has a real security concern, they should ask the landlord first. If agreed, the tenant should give the landlord a copy of the new key.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks for a rental?expand_more
For uPVC and composite doors, a new cylinder costs about the same as rekeying and allows an anti-snap upgrade. Good mortice locks on timber doors can often be rekeyed for less. Doing several doors or properties on one visit lowers the cost.
What is a master key system for HMOs?expand_more
A master key system lets each tenant's key open only their room and shared doors, while the landlord's master key opens all of them. It reduces the number of keys you need to carry and makes managing a shared house easier and more secure.