Can the person barricade the door to stop their ex from entering the house?

Question

The details are as follows

\- This is my house, I pay 100% of the mortgage

\- Her name isn't on a single document to prove she lives here, not a single utility bill is in her name and all forms of her identification still relate to her parents house

\- She has resided here for 6 weeks and we have been broken up for almost 2 weeks

\-She is point blank refusing to leave my house and even refusing to sleep anywhere other than my bed. I don't know the reason for this bizarre behaviour but I want to put an end to it today

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I just want to know if I can legally barricade the door shut to stop her entering and in the meantime I will collect her possessions and deliver them back home to her parents. She is currently at work and she will be home in around 8 hours.

Sue Wallace · Accepted Answer

Yes... but didn't you ask this earlier?

Answer

Depends whether you think she'll sue you or report you to the police/LA for unlawful eviction - which will essentially be about the method by which you do this and the notice you give her.

Even if she is an excluded occupier she still has that protection from being deprived from residential premises - it just means you don't need a court order to do it.

Given she's refusing to sleep anywhere but your bed, she's only been there for 6 weeks and this is your home, I think there's a chance you'll be ok with the notice given: 8 hours and the manner of eviction - although I admit it is a bit on the low side.

Answer

If its definitely 100% your house and there was no form of arrangement for her to pay rent or anything, just change the locks. Pop to B&Q or Wilko or similar, all you need is a screwdriver and it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes even if you have zero existing knowledge of the process.

Krystyna Davis

16th January 2022

+743

746 upvotes

Answer

Do you need to barricade the doors? Does she have a key to your property?

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Do you have proof you asked her to move out 2 weeks ago?  Have you called her parents to make sure she can go there?

Can you get her stuff in off site storage quickly?

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Has she paid you rent?

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Change the locks, pack up her stuff and if she attempts entry call the Police. Depending how how crazy she is she might attempt to prove she is a defacto tenant or lodger so get your paperwork straight to prove otherwise.

Alan Freeman

16th January 2022

+122

125 upvotes

Answer

Let us know how it goes OP, i would maybe inform the police before hand as it could give you an edge if she does.

Answer

If she is refusing to sleep anywhere other than your bed then I would see this as a kind of abuse.

She has no agreement to live there, she pays no rent. Her permanent residence is her parents house.

You should change the locks and make a report to the police if she tries to gain access. Text her now tell her to no longer visit you at YOUR home, and say you will be take any personal possessions she has over to her parents.

Answer

Yes you can change the locks and refuse her entry. I would box all of her stuff and drop it off at her parents house the same day, So that there’s no reason for her to call the police. She hasn’t been residing at that address long enough for her to do anything legally. If you both signed a tenancy agreement between you both then it would be different. You would have to give her notice.

Retha Bulmer

16th January 2022

Answer

My ex did similar. I rang his parents and his mum persuaded him to go.

Answer

This should be straightforward but i’m also NAL.

First thing you wanna do is not get angry. Keep calm and remain level headed. You are the victim, she is not. Don’t try to physically assault her or force her out of the house.

Call up her parents and ask them to come collect her stuff that’s outside. If she owns a car, you won’t need to do this. A lot of people are suggesting that you simply pack it up but if there are things she can’t pack into a box or can’t reasonably carry you’ll be in a difficult position.

I would heavily advise calling a friend or family member and have them come over to help you. Record the initial interaction on your phone.

You have to think of it from her perspective: She knows her time is limited, and she knows she has stuff in the house. She’s refusing to sleep anywhere but her bed because she knows she is screwed.

As other comments have suggested, you will need to pack her things and leave them on the front lawn. Change the locks on everything including the back door. She will try every trick in the book to get back in the house. “You’ve forgotten X I need to retrieve it”.

Be prepared to call the police the moment she decides to lock herself in the bathroom. Don’t tolerate bullshit but please, don’t get angry.

Answer

Ask Citizens Advice, free service and they have an online live chat available

Answer

You've been given excellent legal advice here.

Now reality. No one can force her back into your home. The police or even the courts. The very very very worse that could happen is she tries to take it to court and win a small judgement against you which is very unlikely given the legal advice on the thread.

I'd sacrifice a few Bob in court to get her out as worse case scenario.

But I'd very much doubt given the info above anyone would rule in her favour ..... !

Answer

Quick question: Why haven't you phoned the police and asked them to remove her from the premises if she's there in your house and you don't want her there?

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Make sure you have proof that you are broken up and that you have asked her to leave. Just for comfort on your part.

What do people think to calling the non emergency number and just let them know of the situation beforehand?

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Don’t barricade the door just change the locks if she has a key.

Answer

> If you don’t move out, your landlord can evict you peaceably. For example, they could change the locks while you’re out.

[Eviction - Shelter](https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/eviction_of_lodgers_and_other_excluded_occupiers)

That comment is about evicting a lodger (which should apply as your ex shares the accommodations such as kitchen or bathroom with you, their landlord). It also says in absence of a written agreement then only reasonable notice needs to be given, I think two weeks notice after only living there for a month is more than reasonable.

Check out the link, it might help make you feel a bit more secure in your decision.

Good luck :)

Answer

Just get a locksmith round - less drama

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Oh and pack everything up, so that after locks changed you can get her parents to collect it

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I find that leaving a key on the lock prevents it from being unlocked from orne side

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Her behaviour sounds like a form of abuse, to be honest. Which is definitely illegal.

You have every right to lock her out regardless. I'd say bag up her belongings and leave them outside, as from what I understand she still has every right to them, and would just mean another interaction with her that might not go the way you want.

I wonder if you'd be better off getting the police involved to be honest, as my biggest worry with her behaviour would be if she claims some form of abuse or neglect from you and goes to them first. Maybe I'm looking into it too much.

Had a similar situation with a friend, where the police escorted the other person away in the end.

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This will almost certainly end in a massive scene and the police being called.
I'd get her parents over first to talk her out of dating you.

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Hey! It's 8hrs later now. What did you decide to do?

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You can legally change the locks and pack up her things, the only thing you couldn't do legally would be to keep her stuff. The eviction pause because of corona didn't apply to lodgers that you shared space with, and a bed is definitely space. If she refuses to leave and gets aggy with you, call the police on a domestic disturbance and one of rhe conditions will be that she doesn't come back.

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Change the locks and put her stuff outside and then get a court order out on her if she is a bunny boiler.

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What did you decide to do and how did it play out u/Emperor_of_pussy420?

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Change the locks and deliver all her stuff to her parents, record every conversation you have with her, whether vocally or by text/email

Call her parents, they might help you

Good luck for the future

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Yes you can barricade the house, though is it really needed? I would suggest throwing all her items outside in a way where they arent broken and if she had a key make sure the locks are changed. Tell her she cannot enter and that she has no right to be on your property and contact the police if she tries to enter the property without permission

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You ok, OP?

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Pack up her stuff and have it ready for her to collect. Photograph it all to show the condition it’s in prior to bagging (prevents spurious claims later). Change the locks and say you are willing for her to come to collect her belongings but that’s it. Worth informing the Police of the situation as well. They won’t send anyone but you will have it logged. Video any further interaction with her. This protects you and her from any criminal offences being committed (you would hope. And if it doesn’t you have immediate evidence to hand to the Police when they inevitably get called).

Answer

[OP has posted an update](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/comments/j6zjqr/my_exgirlfriend_is_at_work_can_i_barricade_the/)