Landlord keeps 1 access card to the unit. Common practice??

[Strong Eagle]

It's not illegal in the UK. I've done it. In Texas it's mandatory for the LL to change the locks and only the tenants have the keys.

Unless the tenants agree in the lease terms for the landlords to have a key. Ours did... then again, they are great tenants and we are great landlords.

[Hannieroo]

Our LL never asked. We would have said no but only because he was overseas, never met him and the previous tenant had been a hooker so we had some initial security issues.

I did have a LL that let himself in several times a week when I was out. I started leaving my dogs in the hall. Cured him.

[x9200]

Sometimes there are warning signs. Our previous LL when asked how he would like to have the mail addressed to him delivered said he would just come over from time to time and check the mailbox.

[teck21]

Are you allowed to change the locks on a property that isn't yours?

Yes, but they enjoy telling you you cannot. Unless it's written into the TA, which presumably people read before they sign.

[Roy_alt]

In the UK, it is common that the landlord give a set of keys to his letting agent to visit the unit for any repair, bringing new tenants etc... even though the tenant is not present.
They will just call the tenant and let him know about the visit 24 hrs in advance.
I was surprised when I went for viewing a house in the UK, the agent just knocked the door few times, no answer, just opened the door using the keys and entered the unit asking "hellooo Is anybody there ?"

[bradtok]

Great thread. Managed to resolve my issues too. My LL was trying to ask for weekly inspections of the unit.

Thanks everyone.