Legal Assistance with Rental Problems

Questioner

We are currently carrying out work for which we have given explicit permission to the landlord and/or professionals carrying out work to enter. (explicitly only for this purpose) Most of the work is done by the landlord himself. And is still ongoing. We just found out that the landlord has let people in more than once during this time (once a neighbor to show the apartment, and once what looked like a potential tenant or buyer???) I'm actually already convinced that this is completely illegal...that's not really what my question is about. But my real question is: can I replace my lock because of a violation of privacy? (and of course put it back later with 'delivery'). PS I will hang a key box outside the door so that in case of emergency I can 'grant' the owner access (as required in contract), by simply telling him the code.

Lawyer

In principle this is allowed, provided that this is contractually excluded. Now that the landlord is already working in your house, he must gain access to the house by providing him with the code as you state. He does not have to allow third parties into your house in consultation with you. Your landlord must give you as much enjoyment of the rental as possible by taking your privacy into account.