Renting in Oldham? Your Rights Regarding Door Locks

If you're renting a property in Oldham, you might be wondering about your rights when it comes to door locks and home security. Can you change the locks? Is your landlord responsible for security? What if the locks don't meet insurance standards? Here's what you need to know.

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords are legally required to ensure that rental properties are secure. This includes providing adequate locks on all external doors and accessible windows. If your rental property has broken, inadequate, or missing locks, your landlord is legally obliged to fix or replace them.

Can you change the locks yourself? Legally, yes — there's no law preventing a tenant from changing locks. However, most tenancy agreements include a clause requiring you to provide the landlord with a copy of any new keys. Changing locks without informing your landlord could be considered a breach of your tenancy agreement.

If you do change the locks, you should keep the original locks and refit them when you leave (or return the new keys to the landlord). This avoids any dispute about the condition of the property at the end of your tenancy.

If your landlord refuses to address genuine security concerns — such as broken locks, a door that doesn't close properly, or windows that can't be secured — you have several options. You can contact the local council's environmental health department, who can serve an improvement notice on the landlord. You can also contact Citizens Advice for guidance on your specific situation.

For any lock issues in your Oldham rental property, Oldham Locksmiths can help. We work with both tenants and landlords and can advise on the best course of action. Call 07949 139 475.