Changing lock on a rented property, little clarification needed

Soniclord

I'm going to be changing the locks on the property I rent due to some undesirables hanging around my area and one of them I found in the garden!

Now I was wondering if someone can just help me out a little bit with regards to measuring the width the replacement cylinder has to be. This is the lock I'm going to buy for the front and back door https://www.upvc-hardware.co.uk/locks-gearing-163/euro-cylinder-lock-barrels-185/avocet-abs-euro-cylinder-locks-bump-drill-snap-resistant-794.html and on that website it has a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkZpJgb7QYA to the video showing how to measure the length of the cylinder, in order to make sure you buy the correct size.

In the video it shows the guy measuring from the centre of the cylinder retaining screw which is located on the door in the video in the dead centre of the lock. But on my door the retaining screw is much lower down on the door (just below the everest symbol) so does that mean the centre of the lock is also lower down?? And will that make it more difficult to measure the length of the replacement cylinder I'd need? See screenshot of where my retaining screw is.


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I'm asking because I don't want to get it wrong and I don't really want to get a locksmith out to measure the length of cylinder I'd need because I'm sure they'd charge some ridiculous fee just for checking, wouldn't they?

Wee_Willy_Harris

The angle on your pic is a little skewed, but I'm not sure if this is the retaining screw. Could it be the screw for a cover plate, behind which is the retaining screw?

Soniclord

The nail your on about is presumably the one I'm pointing to with the black arrow in this pic right? It's not very clear in the pic but it is a crosshead/philips screw and I believe it is the retaining screw but i'm not sure. If you could watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkZpJgb7QYA (if you haven't already?) it might give a clearer picture of the screw I'm talking about?


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Wee_Willy_Harris

Sorry. Have edited post to correct spelling.

Have you tried removing the barrel using this screw as the retaining screw? If you can, then you have your measuring point.

Soniclord

Not yet no. I'll possibly try tomorrow? I'm assuming I still follow the instructions in the video to measure the length? Which is says is from the middle of the retaining screw to the door handle back plate.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Soniclord wrote: »

Not yet no. I'll possibly try tomorrow? I'm assuming I still follow the instructions in the video to measure the length? Which is says is from the middle of the retaining screw to the door handle back plate.

I would say so, yes. Most barrels are easily visible in their packs so a comparison should be easy enough when you get it home. I'm sure you will be able to exchange if you get the wrong size and, as the video shows, popping the barrel in/out is the work of a moment.

Soniclord

Will let you know how I get on when I've done it. Thanks for the replies.

Geenie

Do you have permission from your LL to change the locks? Will the undesirables hanging around your area suddenly disappear if you change the locks? Did you check the area before moving in?

The person in your garden I assume had a key to your property, hence the need to change locks?! Your logic doesn't make sense. I have had weirdos in my garden before. Fortunately they didn't have keys to my property so once they went I didn't need to change my locks, but made sure the house was securely shut before retiring to bed. And I called the Police.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Geenie wrote: »

Do you have permission from your LL to change the locks? Will the undesirables hanging around your area suddenly disappear if you change the locks? Did you check the area before moving in?

The person in your garden I assume had a key to your property, hence the need to change locks?! Your logic doesn't make sense. I have had weirdos in my garden before. Fortunately they didn't have keys to my property so once they went I didn't need to change my locks, but made sure the house was securely shut before retiring to bed. And I called the Police.

The OP is in a rented house and has, as a result, no way of knowing who does/doesn't have a set of keys. The people hanging about outside may well have keys to the old locks.

As for seeking permission/notifying the LL? No need. The LL would only ever find out if they tried to gain access without the tenant being there. That would be very naughty so I'm sure they won't. Old barrels go back on at the end of the tenancy and everyone is happy.

G_M

You don't by any chance also have a yale lock on the door? Quite common to have both.

If so the answer is to take the lock with you to B&Q/the locksmith leaving the yale locked. If not, leave a friend in the house on guard while you pop out to get the right replacement. It's much easier having the original with you to compare against.

PasturesNew

Also get a lock bolt, some anti-burglar strips for the tops of the gate and a security light (which can be wireless).

http://www.livesafe.co.uk/Prikka-Brick-Strip_webpage.htm