Can I legally Do This ?

**scooby** · 13 June 2008, 10:47

Originally posted by Bumfluff View Post

Anyone know if the following is legal.

Party A & B were a couple (not married) and own a house as tenants in common, party A owns 60% party B owns 40%. Party B moved out of the house due to split. Can party A change the locks and stop party B entering the property, considering the fact that it was party B who left and party A doesnt want them back in the house. Any ideas ?

I am due to see a solicitor next week but was thinking of changing the locks at weekend ?

Cheers

i assume you are party a? then yes if you think party b may cause damage to something...

**Bumfluff** · 13 June 2008, 10:50

Originally posted by scooby View Post

i assume you are party a? then yes if you think party b may cause damage to something...

Yeah I'm party A, I don't think she will cause damage apart from to my sanity, but she has suggested that she needs to move back into the house and I don't want her to at all, its either her or me.

**Moose423956** · 13 June 2008, 10:53

Hang on. According to my posts, A is my wife. You're not my wife are you?

**SizeZero** · 13 June 2008, 10:59

It's a tough one. Friend of mine had one of these 'amicable' splits very recently where she kept the house and he walked out. She didn't change the locks and he walked out again one day when she was at work, with everything bar her clothes...

**Peoplesoft bloke** · 13 June 2008, 11:05

Not sure why anyone thinks they might be legally entitled to deny a joint owner access to their own property - but I am not a lawyer. My lawyer was vague on this (like everything else) but advised me against, even though B had moved out, however we were married.

**NotAllThere** · 13 June 2008, 11:57

It's so much easier if you marry. You just give her the lot.

**Spanner** · 13 June 2008, 12:12

breaking in

Hi,

Its not possible to break into a house that you own ( or part own ). If your ex changes the locks then you can call a locksmith or break a window or even kick the door down if thats what you want, and it won't be a matter for the police.

Of course, if your ex has a court order barring you from the house or you are otherwise legally prevented from entering the house then thats a seperate matter.

**expat** · 13 June 2008, 13:18

Originally posted by NotAllThere View Post

It's so much easier if you marry. You just give her the lot.

Yeah, like Rod Stewart: "I'm not going to marry again, I'll just find some woman I don't like and give her a house".

**beeker** · 13 June 2008, 13:44

changing the locks, isn't denying her access, as long as you say "if you want in contact me and i'll let you in"; supervised.

?

Can I legally Do This ?