Landlords who believe that their tenant may have left the property without the tenancy having ended, should proceed with caution by taking steps to ascertain from the tenant/ the tenant’s guarantor or next of kin/neighbours, whether the tenant has permanently vacated.
If the tenant has permanently vacated, landlords should consider whether the tenancy can be brought to an end by serving a notice to quit. Legal advice may be needed.
As long as a tenancy continues, the tenant has a ‘right to quiet enjoyment’, which means that landlords should not enter the property without the tenant’s permission and should not change the locks. Landlords who breach a tenant’s rights may face civil and/or criminal court proceedings.