Changing a lock in. Flat where the key opens multiple doors

Vestra

So I've just received keys for my first home and I was planning on changing the locks this weekend as it was previously rented.

I thought I had figured out how to change a lock and thought it was pretty simple, however, the one key is currently used to open the main door then the door to the floor then to the flat itself. Is there a way of still changing this lock while keeping this same setup?

agrinnall

What sort of key is it? Doesn't the fact that it will open the main door as well as your flat door mean that anyone else with a main door key can get into your flat? Or is there some mechanism by which all keys open joint doors but then only open one other door?

Worst case is that you have to have a separate key for the flat door, which would be the case for 99.999% (actual figure may be different) of properties.

skintpaul

Not heard of a key that does this, opening both shared and personal doors..


Best change your own flat lock, keep the keys for that and old (multi) key separate!

G_M

Yes, there certainly are keys that can open some shared doors but still be unique to an individual door.

Take to a locksmith and ask, but it's likely to be expansive. You might need to go via the freeholder/management company.

If you are VERY lucky, you could unscrew the lock in your door, find a bog-standard lock of the same size and fit that, and then use the original key for the shared doors and new key for your own.

TiredTrophy

In Switzerland, all the domestic locks are like this. The key will open all the areas one may use and ones own front door and letter box.
There are lots of dimples, like a music box- need to keep them clean!
As I understand it....
If you lost your key, you would have to pay the landlord for a new one, and if you own, the management committee or you would contact the orginal fitter with a code and proof of identity/would have a contractor who would supply the unique key.
This was not written well sorry.
This might not help in your position but others might be interested!

Vestra

Yes it's a union lock. I've seen it before and I think it's just part of the key does one door and another 'segment' of my key is unique for my door. Might not bother now if it will be a hassle.

cliffsgirl

We live in a flat and the same key opens the communal front door and my own flat door. It won't open any other flat door though cos I was worried about that when I moved in.

ManuelG

cliffsgirl wrote: »

We live in a flat and the same key opens the communal front door and my own flat door. It won't open any other flat door though cos I was worried about that when I moved in.

Not as worried as your neighbours were when you tried their front doors

Soot2006

I once open the wrong car boot at the supermarket and put my shopping inside before I realised something was "wrong" ...

ANYway ; how hard are these keys to replicate? i.e. do they need a security code, etc? Because if they do, and you have the known existing copies, then I wouldn't be too worried about many copies of it floating about. In the real world, sellers/former tenants and their friends rarely come back to a known flat to steal everything. Obviously it is a risk, but one than can be assessed realistically and decisions made accordingly. If the seller was a drug runner, then change the locks whatever the cost.

eddddy

Vestra wrote: »

So I've just received keys for my first home and I was planning on changing the locks this weekend as it was previously rented.

I thought I had figured out how to change a lock and thought it was pretty simple, however, the one key is currently used to open the main door then the door to the floor then to the flat itself. Is there a way of still changing this lock while keeping this same setup?

This sounds as though it is a type of "master key suite" (Google "master key suite" for info.)

They are probably security keys, so only the management co can get copies. Hopefully, they will keep records of copies ordered, so they may be able to tell you how many copies exist for your flat, when they were ordered etc.

(It may also mean that the management co have a master key which can open all flat doors - hopefully only to be used in an emergency.)

So I guess your choices are:
- Leave things as they are, and have 1 key in total
- Change the lock and have 2 keys in total
- Leave the original lock, add a second lock - and perhaps only lock the second lock when you are away for some time, or whatever.