Access to Former Home

[cortina]

Lived with father as lodger, no tenancy agreement. Father died. Unable to return to property as key taken by someone who doesn't live there. I Am executor of deceased's will. Need to return to property to prepare it for sale. Advised that who has permission to live there is down to "new owner", but no grant of probate yet. How do I gain access without risk of being arrested? Have asked for return of keys, which has been denied. Have shown this person will. hope that makes sense. Thank you.

[ostell]

If you can show you are the executor then tell the police that you are breaking in to maintain the property.

Does this other person have any of the property gifted to them

[Aged William]

From a police perspective, I see nothing in the OP's account that would cause me any concerns. However, based on some of my colleagues' knowledge of probate I suggest the OP be prepared to explain what an executor's role is if challenged.

I also suggest that the OP considers getting a locksmith to change the locks and charge it to the estate as an administrative general maintenance cost.