Can a tenant change the locks?

Generally no. Every province covered here requires the landlord's consent, although British Columbia, Saskatchewan and PEI also allow an order and New Brunswick an officer's written authorization. In Alberta, you can add an inside-only lock such as a chain without consent, as long as it comes off without damage. Changing the locks without consent is an offence in Ontario and New Brunswick, and in British Columbia it could lead to eviction.

It depends on the province, but none of them treats it lightly. In Ontario it is an offence, and the Landlord and Tenant Board can order the tenant to give the landlord keys or pay the landlord's reasonable costs. In New Brunswick it is also an offence, and in British Columbia the government warns that the tenant could face eviction. Elsewhere the landlord can take the issue to the province's tenancy office, so the simplest fix is to give the landlord a key and ask for consent after the fact.

Ask the tenant in writing for a key and for the reason, and keep a copy. Do not force your way in or change the locks back yourself: outside an emergency, you still need proper notice to enter, and lock changes by landlords are limited too. If the tenant will not cooperate, apply to your province's tenancy office or tribunal; in Ontario, the Landlord and Tenant Board can order the tenant to give you keys or pay your reasonable costs. In Manitoba, consider whether the request was one you could not reasonably refuse.

In most provinces, yes, but there are limits. In Manitoba, the landlord cannot refuse consent unreasonably. In British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and PEI, you can ask for an order or written authorization if the landlord says no. Elsewhere, if there is a real security problem, contact your tenancy office instead of changing the locks yourself.

Yes. Alberta requires a tenant who changes the locks with permission to give the landlord a new key as soon as the change is made, and Nova Scotia's government says the landlord is allowed to have a key. In Ontario, the Landlord and Tenant Board can order a tenant who changed the locks without consent to hand over keys. A landlord with a key still needs proper notice to enter outside an emergency.

Not on your own, but you can ask for permission to. In British Columbia, the Residential Tenancy Branch can authorize a tenant to change the locks if the landlord is likely to enter unlawfully, and it can also suspend or set conditions on the landlord's right to enter. In Ontario, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board within one year of an improper entry. Elsewhere, keep a record of each entry and contact your tenancy office; see can a tenant refuse entry to a landlord.

None of the nine provinces' tenancy rules checked for this page has a separate lock-change exception for family or domestic violence, so you still need the landlord's consent, or an order or authorization where your province offers one. Ask in writing and explain that safety is the reason. If you are in danger, contact police or a local victim service first. Every province covered here also lets a tenant leaving family or domestic violence end the tenancy early; see how to get out of a lease agreement.

In Alberta, you can add a lock that works only from the inside, such as a chain, without consent, as long as it can be removed without damage, but you cannot use it to block a landlord who gave proper entry notice. The other provinces' rules checked for this page do not set out a similar exception, so ask the landlord first, especially for a lock that needs a new key. Get any agreement in writing.

Agree on it in writing before the change. In British Columbia, a new tenant can ask the landlord to rekey at the start of the tenancy at the landlord's cost, unless that was done when the last tenant left, and in Newfoundland and Labrador the landlord is expected to change the locks for a new tenant at the landlord's cost. In Newfoundland and Labrador, a landlord cannot charge for replacing locks unless the tenant or the tenant's guests damaged them. In Ontario, a tenant who changes the locks without consent can be ordered to pay the landlord's reasonable costs.

Start with your province's tenancy office or tribunal, which deal with lockouts. In Ontario, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board within one year, and if the unit is still vacant the Board can order the landlord to let you back in. In Saskatchewan, a tenant can be awarded punitive damages for a lockout without justification, and Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador each have a tenant application for it. Whether a court claim is also open to you depends on the province and the claim, so ask the tenancy office or a lawyer. For the steps and fees, see can a landlord change the locks.