Key broken in lock..who pays landlord or tennant?

Flossy87

Hi All,

The key to my front door snapped in the lock the other day. I can access my house through the back door so it's not an immediate problem and have informed the LA about it.

They are sending out a locksmith today who has said that if he can get the snapped key out it'll cost £45 +vat, or if a new barrell is needed it'll be £65 + vat.

What I need help on please is are these prices reasonable, and also am I liable to pay or is it my landlord?

I'm happy to pay it if I need to but just wanted to check in case it is not my responsibility!

Thanks in advance everyone!

terryw

I presume that this is a Yale type lock.

The charges look a little high but the locksmith will have a call-out charge. Either way,this is an easy job - any local handyperson would do the job a lot cheaper.

Who pays? Probably you as the key is probably broken through misuse rather than any fault with the key itself.

Mr_Moo_2

This one's down to you. Depends on your location as to the prices quoted - could you do it yourself? Not a tricky job.

maninthestreet

If the key is magnetic, a strong magnet may pull out enough of the key from the lock for a pair of small pliers to 'grab' and pull out the key from the lock.

Flossy87

Thanks everyone, I think the key was a little dodgy, but it was one that I got cut myself.

We've tried to get it out ourselves but no luck.

Oh well....looks like a trip to the cash machine!

fluffymuffy

It's very easy to fit a new barrel to a Yale lock. You might need a little fret saw though. And a screw driver. I'm incompetent at DIY and yet I can manage to change a Yale barrel.

pararct

All you need is a new barrel (any competent locksmith or market hardware stall should be able to provide one).
Remove the back (inside the door) of the yale lock (3 or 4 screws) and pull it away, you will see a lever and another two screws going towards the front of the door. Remove these screws and pull out the barrel from the front.
Replace new barrel and reverse the process 5 minute job.

Biggest bugbear will be getting new keys cut if insufficient come with the new barrel.

Alternatively to see how simple it is watch this you tube video....
Locks maybe be slightly different but the principle is always the same.

http://youtu.be/pOndWs3glvI

agrinnall

You'll need to get the LL's permission before doing it yourself, and you will need to supply them with the same number of keys that they currently have (including any that were given to you).

Flossy87

Thanks for all the sugestions but it's not a yale lock unfortunately

It's one of those locks that has barrels all up in the door (sorry if that makes no sense!).

Going to see if OHs mate can do it for us - OH is worse than me at things like this!

Flossy87

On a side note, I don't need to inform the LL if I do it myself. As long as when I vacate the property I change it back to the original (if it worked) then there is no problem.

Here, they gave us two keys, and when we vacate I will give them back two keys for the new lock,.

societys_child

Is it a uPVC door with a Euro style barrel?

If so they are very simple to change - 1 screw
but . .. may be a bit fiddly with the broken key in place (could be a help or a hindrance)

Lots of how to vids on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmw3IQMl3Ts

Replacements available everywhere but you need to measure the old barrel as there are various sizes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP9rhXB4UBA

http://www.screwfix.com/p/securefast-6-pin-euro-cylinder-lock-35-35-70mm-polished-nickel/50415;jsessionid=2K0mQhTf6f3nDczBlbrbGQcFzhfVXLGJWz7hTMggkG6gRsqxWdd3!-1777057642