Who should pay? Lock.

shoe*diva79

Its a yale lock if they makes any difference, just found an identical photo online of it.

HappyMJ

shoe*diva79 wrote: »

I would love to fix the lock myself but i have no idea what to do and to be honest, I don't want to mess around not having a clue and break it further. At least the door opens and closes at the moment, just if I leave the property i cant get back in. With it being a BH weekend and zero money to get a lock smith it looks like my children and I shall be stuck inside.

The internet is a great resource and can help you. Take a photo of the lock and post it on here. If it's a euro cylinder there is just one screw holding the cylinder in place and it's very easy to replace. If it's a Yale lock you have 2 or 4 screws and if it's a deadbolt you again only have a couple of screws. You then take the cylinder or lock to the locksmith and they'll give you another one.

The problem is that it is not an urgent maintenance issue. Although it's the LL's responsibility to fix the LL never actually has to fix it during the term of your tenancy.

[Deleted User]

shoe*diva79 wrote: »

They keys will go in almost all the way but not quiet, it feels like there is something hard in the way blocking the key going in any further.

WD40 and tweezers.. it's worth a shot

bsms1147

Try WD40 as suggested. The last pin may be a but stuck.

DaftyDuck

Try a DIY fix... maybe we can help? Type of lock? Yale (slam door shut, locks) or Chubb-style (5 lever solid bar), both common on wooden doors, or uPVC door with eurocylinder?

Have you got some oil to hand? WD40? 3 in 1?

How many keys do you have? Are they originals or copies?

Edit:
Read the rest of thread before you post, idiotDuck!

....

OK, one of the pins may have jammed, or broken. Broken isn't good, jammed may be fixable. Alternatively, a small amount of dirt, grit or the like might have got in.

Try, at first, using a very narrow wire, hairpin, needle, to "jiggle" the innermost bit. See if you can free it. Does the pin or wire come out clean? If you can jiggle it, try a bit of oil or WD40 (ask a friendly neighbour if you ahve none). Can you gently (very gently) jiggle a key in now.

Do check the snib button is in the right position, and the latch goes in and out. Shouldn't affect it, but...

REPLACEMENT HERE isn't too expensive, but you should not have to pay if the lock has failed without you forcing it! I suppose some neighbouring brat hasn't shoved bits in it?

shoe*diva79

im not sure how to put photos on here but the lock looks like this:
http://www.toolstop.co.uk/yale-locks-630088005702-p88-standard-nightlatch-dmg-brass-cylinder-60mm-backset-v-p37924

HappyMJ

shoe*diva79 wrote: »

Its a yale lock if they makes any difference, just found an identical photo online of it.

Yale lock's are very easy to replace. Just get the screwdriver out and remove it. Take it to the locksmith and get another one and reassemble it.

It's £10 from B & Q. Most probably £15 from the locksmith but the locksmith will cut it down for you if you ask.

If you present the old lock and the receipt to the LL they'll most probably reimburse you.

Do you not have another key operated lock. There is usually another lock on the door plus the Yale night latch.

G_M

1) can you open the door? Are you locked in? Or locked out?

2) Liability: if you broke the lock, you are responsible for the cost. If not, the landlord is responsible. To be honest, locks rarely 'break' by themselves or from wear and tear....

3) assuming you can access the lock (ie open the door) it is easy to change the lock. You'll need an appropriate screwdriver. And correct replacement barrel. Take out the old one and take to a locksmith or DIY store to buy a replacement. Look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA580cRHXDY

You don't need to buy the entire lock - just the 'barrel' (cylinder) inside.

4) do not just deduct cost from rent. That's rent arrears. If you feel it is the LL's liability, follow the Shelter process. However given the urgency you might escalate the process

shoe*diva79

No WD40 here, i have 2 keys, one is an original and one is my daughters altho I think she has it in her bag and she isn't here right now.

Rambosmum

Have you tried a bit of WD40? Or lifting the door as you turn the handle, or poking around with a pin or needle to see if something is stuck in it?

A few doors I know of - a friend last night and a colleague this morning - have mentioned how their doors have 'moved' in the last day and have found it hard to close/ lock, it's caused by weather and atmosphere changes I think. I used to have a door that was too big in summer and two small in winter as it swelled so much!