Lock failing, is this acceptable?

lstar337

Rented house through a letting agent.

I have just informed them that the barrel lock on our rear door is failing. It will currently lock, but the key is crunching around inside barrel, and if you unlock the door the key will not come out.

They have asked me to wait until the next house inspection (roughly a week away) before somebody from the agency will take a look. This is so they can make sure work is needed.

Bare in mind, the person doing the checking lives literally across the road.

I have said that I will wait, but if the lock fails to the point of not being able to secure the house, then more immediate action will be required. IMHO, leaving the house unlocked at night with children inside is not an option.

I thought I was being sensible by giving them notice before the lock broke, so they could get a more favourable rate from a locksmith. I imagine an emergency call out is fairly pricey.

Thoughts?

[Deleted User]

lstar337 wrote: »

Rented house through a letting agent.

I have just informed them that the barrel lock on our rear door is failing. It will currently lock, but the key is crunching around inside barrel, and if you unlock the door the key will not come out.

They have asked me to wait until the next house inspection (roughly a week away) before somebody from the agency will take a look. This is so they can make sure work is needed.

Bare in mind, the person doing the checking lives literally across the road.

I have said that I will wait, but if the lock fails to the point of not being able to secure the house, then more immediate action will be required. IMHO, leaving the house unlocked at night with children inside is not an option.

I thought I was being sensible by giving them notice before the lock broke, so they could get a more favourable rate from a locksmith. I imagine an emergency call out is fairly pricey.

Thoughts?

Replace the lock yourself?

molerat

Or squirt some silicone lube in it.

lstar337

_shel wrote: »

Replace the lock yourself?

Wouldn't be allowed. Any work has to be with approved contractors and with prior consent.

bris

lstar337 wrote: »

Wouldn't be allowed. Any work has to be with approved contractors and with prior consent.

They can't actually stop you changing the locks so that's an unfair term and can be ignored.