[Solved] Family Home In Joint Names Going On Vacation

lol...Can I do that?

Change the locks I mean:-)

Yes you can change the locks, although she does have the right to break in in and if the police were called be okay with it, because she is still on the mortgage. I have to warn you of that. Only you know whether she would do it or not. However you could make it very difficult, ie. double locking everything you can, removing keys from doors, window etc.

Another good idea would be to get someone to house sit for you.

Hi Enyamachaela,

Thanks for that. I guess I could possibly put a chain on the door and leave by the back door.

I dont think that she would break in but she would be very likely to run to her solicitor and suggest that I am being unreasonable and use it as ammunition.

How do you think the courts would look at me changing the locks?

Any other advice like write her a letter etc?

Regards,

Dave

Hi Dave,

Your ex is well within her rights to enter the house as it is jointly owned by her.

Locking her out would i'm sure cause you issues, that is if you were change the locks, changing the locks would be obvious that you wanted to keep her out. By using a chain or bolt on the inside of the front door you could claim you were protecting your empty house from burgalers whilst it was empty, that would just leave the back door which wouldn't be as easy to protect as you would need to leave the house somehow. I think a bolt fitted to the inside of the front door would be better as if she did try the door wouldn't open at all so wouldn't give any movement to break the chain by pushing on the door or using cutter ect (even better 2 bolts one top and one bottem 🙂 )

If you had a catflap on the back door you could fix a bolt so you could just reach it through the flap, the door would be locked anyway this would only be to stop anyone with a key getting in. Not sure how to get around it if there isn't a catflap though.

GTTS

Yep put a chain on the front door, but if you leave by the back door will the property be safe? Can you lock it from the outside, does she have a key to get in the back door? I like Got the Tshirts idea if you have a cat flap!

I have never seen an issue with the courts if you change the locks, so I think they will be okay about it, especially if you state that you were just protecting the property in your absence.

I would not write to her either...after all you don't want to put any ideas in her head! LOL!

I really think that is all you can do, safeguard your property as best you can or get someone to house sit for you!

Instead of changing the lock you could just fit an extra one, a deadlock as "an extra precaution whilst you are on holiday". It is something that is done for extra security when a propery is left for any length of time....I think locksmiths would recommend it, and she can't say you changed the lock! 🙂

I agree don't give her the heads up about it! :whistle:

Thanks all...Ill look into a deadlock and ensure the alarm is activated. 🙂

Regards,

Dave

alarm? well ensure she does not know the alarm number!

...you can always change the alarm code!...but with a deadlock installed she wont be able to get in anyway! 😉

I tried the alarm code the other day and it didnt seem to work. Just tried again....I had 2 numbers the wrong way round it does work...:-)

Im of to the hardware shop to look at deadbolts this afternoon.

🙂

Great looks as though your house will be safe from burgalars "and the like" :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: