housing association property who has keys!! exactly!

macman

It's impossible to say without seeing, it but even with a 3 lever type it should be possible just to change the barrel.
'Yale lock' is considered a generic term like 'hoover'. It can be another brand of similar type.

ukmike

When I left i only shut the door and did not pull up the handle and dead lock it.

In which case it wasn't locked!Anyone could have opened it without a key!

ceejayblue

I work for a housing association and there is no way that we could keep a duplicate set of keys for every property that we have. My particular housing association has over 4000 propeties in the area where I live and to keep 4000 sets of keys would be a logistical nightmare.

Tenants are given the only set of keys and they then become the tenant's responsibility. If you get locked out or break a key in the lock it is your responsibility to get it replaced and to pass the keys on to the housing association when you leave the property.

Usually when we have to get a forced entry into a property by the police, because of concerns about a tenant the door may have to be kicked in but it is then made safe and contractors will refit the door.

squinty

Before you go to the expense of changing the lock ask the housing association if they have changed the lock before you moved in – this is common practice for most HA’s. It is not common practice for them to hold ‘master keys’ except in supported accommodation (and then only with the knowledge and consent of the tenant)

Also UKMike has a good point, although you refer to your lock as a Yale lock it does sound like you have a multi-point locking system on your door. Although they use the same size of key they are very different, and a multi-point system will not usually engage when the door is closed, it will need to be locked (usually by pushing the handle up, and then locking the door).

It does sound like you may have left your door unlocked when you were away. If you are not sure – try it.

If this is the case, and the council and/or police were worried (perhaps a neighbour was concerned and contacted them) it is not unreasonable for them to enter the property and to look through the papers that were left outside to try to find a clue to where you had gone. (But you do need to ask them to make sure).

Of course, if this has happened, the police/council would not have been able to lock the door when they left, and someone else may have got in.

Belinda_W

Thank you all very much. I have just been out side slipped the door closed gently without pulling up the handle and tried to open it NO CANT GET IN I DEFINATELY NEED TO USE THE KEY.

There is no sign of forced entry and they have not damaged the lock and changed it otherwise I would not have been able to use my key to get in. Therefore there has to be another key. (I was given 3 keys & I still have 3 keys) As I am on the ground floor and do not have an upstairs as it is so small it is easy to look through the windows all round to see if anyone was on the floor with no blind spots

Sadly the PC who was meant to call me last night didnt so I will call again with a further message asking her to contact me.

Had another look for my docs no sign

maninthestreet

Belinda_W wrote: »

Thank you all very much. I have just been out side slipped the door closed gently without pulling up the handle and tried to open it NO CANT GET IN I DEFINATELY NEED TO USE THE KEY.

There is no sign of forced entry and they have not damaged the lock and changed it otherwise I would not have been able to use my key to get in. Therefore there has to be another key. (I was given 3 keys & I still have 3 keys) As I am on the ground floor and do not have an upstairs as it is so small it is easy to look through the windows all round to see if anyone was on the floor with no blind spots

Sadly the PC who was meant to call me last night didnt so I will call again with a further message asking her to contact me.

Had another look for my docs no sign

If you failed to deadlock the door, it would be easy to use a something like a bent wire coat hanger though the letterbox to operate the inside handle and open the door, without any signs of forced entry.

Belinda_W

maninthestreet wrote: »

If you failed to deadlock the door, it would be easy to use a something like a bent wire coat hanger though the letterbox to operate the inside handle and open the door, without any signs of forced entry.

I think you have hit the nail on the head welldone :T:T

You have also just made me aware of the potential dangerous position that i have been putting myself in as i have not been locking the door at night :eek::eek::eek: i dont think I would even hear someone opening it scarey. Without sounding over dramatic, I think you may have just saved me from something very bad eternally grateful