Suspect tenant is sub letting or worse.

I travelled to Spain to take back my house at end of contract early because of late payment of rent and final notices of water bill. I asked the agent if I could enter the property and on that visit I noticed that there were two grotty sleepy bags in the back room and thought it strange, but when several neighbours told me they had seen people come and go then penny dropped, he is sub letting or worse. The tenant has not been seen for several months and the fridge was full of flies and rotting food.
I feel that after seeing the agent tomorrow, I should be able to get a new door key and stop these unknowns from entering my property. The agent will I suspect need to ask the tenant first what is going on.
Am I right in thinking that I will have a right to change the locks?
Thanks for reading
Tony.

Maybe best to ask a solicitor

If they are behind with rent, and it looks like they aren’t even living there, not been seen for months? Yes I would have done it while I was there on that first visit. You are not making them homeless if they are not even there. If they’re not paying, what have u got to lose, if they reappear and contest it, and you have to put the old locks back on then so be it. But “if” they return and know the games up, they may just move on anyway.

I'm with daz. Might not be legal but it's not legal what they doing.

Hi, Thanks for all the replies, the guy is up to date with his payment but I've had two final warnings for unpaid water bills. I speak with the agents and they calmly say don't worry it will be paid.
I'm will speak with the agents today, like you said, not living in the property for long periods of time might be a breach of the contract. Then I shall speak with my solicitor and see what they suggest.
It may be easier and less stressful just to wait until the let runs out at the end of november. I'm insured to rent and have paid my property tax and have a 2 months deposit. But what I don't like is someone else having a key to my residence and property.

Please, please wait until the end of the tenancy. You must be able to prove that he is subletting, can you? not just hearsay. Otherwise your legal tenant could and probably would call the police on you with a denuncia. This has happened to me so please wait.

Thanks for the further replies and I agree, it's best to wait and fingers crossed, it's just a bummer knowing that he is not looking after the property as well as I would like.
And maybe the covid is key to this.

Make sure you change your agent

jpeg wrote:Make sure you change your agent

This will be the last time I rent my house out, I've had mostly good tenants but there is always a few who are not'
It's better if you can vet them yourself.