Bailiff

Hello,

My landlord owns the freehold on a small set of flats, each of whose entrance is onto a communal hallway with a communal door from there to the street. We all have separate ASTs and each flat is self-contained.

One of my neighbours owes a considerable amount of unpaid Council Tax, and the council have now instructed bailiffs to recover the debt. (I am not a party to the dispute).

I am curious as to what the law is regarding whether my landlord can unlock the door to my neighbour's flat against my neighbour's wishes, so they can enforce the recovery for the council. This would minimise potentional damage caused by bailiffs trying to gain entry, which I'm sure the landlord is keen to avoid (and stop them taking the landlord's items if the landlord is present). Can the landlord do this?

Also, is there any legal obligation on the landlord, or residents of other flats, to allow access to the communal hallway if requested?

Thanks :)