6 months Assured Shorthold Tenancy - Changing locks....

mrmagoo38

propertyrental said:

For goodness sake! Forget olts - change the locks. 

If 'yale style' latch lock, or standard mortice locks its easy and cheap.

Likewise Euro locks.

The only issue if they are complex shared locks between multiple flat owners eg on a building front door.

As LL has to give 24 hours notice you'll know when he's coming so can let him in when he rings the bell, as any decent person would do.

If he comes unannounced and finds his key does not work, what's he going to do? Admit he tried to gain unauthorised entry.....?

Thanks for your comment, serious food for thought...

MultiFuelBurner

If you only see this as a temporary 6 month let then yes change the locks. Doesn't matter if you fall out with the LL

If you want to stay longer just use bolts for when you are there no point having a situation where you have to explain you have changed the locks 

HampshireH

Change the euro (I imagine that's what you have and probably a thumb turn)

Don't add a chain or bolt. If in a flat in a block the door will be a fire door and they install those tested with the door furniture to ensure they are certified. 

Additions mean it would no longer be certifiably compliant (unless the manufacturer confirm it's been tested with whatever you add on) and you would need permission for that as it would be a permanent fixture to the door.

Edit: I just saw your post about it being a FOG so no fire door. The above bit wouldn't be applicable but you still wouldn't want to hinder an escape by adding bolts😊 

mrmagoo38

Ive checked, the lock is a winkhaus tfa-1 2070

Replacements cost like £100...

I think we'll just use the inside bolts, or improvise, the door is opposite stairs so perhaps i could rig up some sort of bar or plank of wood between the stairs and the door? The more i talk about this, the more i have momentary influxes of 'im being ridiculous' etc
But really, they could enter silently whenever they wanted...IF they wanted..

mrmagoo38

MultiFuelBurner said:

If you only see this as a temporary 6 month let then yes change the locks. Doesn't matter if you fall out with the LL

If you want to stay longer just use bolts for when you are there no point having a situation where you have to explain you have changed the locks 

Dont bolts require drilling into the door?
Im not sure im allowed to do that...

HampshireH

It sounds a bit OTT.

How will your bit of wood work when you are out? Nothing would stop someone with a key entering then.

Please don't rig up something that could put you and your child at risk in the event of a fire.

Not really sure what that would achieve anyway. 

Get a ring doorbell if you are worried about security 

MultiFuelBurner

mrmagoo38 said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

If you only see this as a temporary 6 month let then yes change the locks. Doesn't matter if you fall out with the LL

If you want to stay longer just use bolts for when you are there no point having a situation where you have to explain you have changed the locks 

Dont bolts require drilling into the door?
Im not sure im allowed to do that...

That's why I said you will have to make them good. When you leave.

CSI_Yorkshire

mrmagoo38 said:

Ive checked, the lock is a winkhaus tfa-1 2070

Replacements cost like £100...

I think we'll just use the inside bolts, or improvise, the door is opposite stairs so perhaps i could rig up some sort of bar or plank of wood between the stairs and the door? The more i talk about this, the more i have momentary influxes of 'im being ridiculous' etc
But really, they could enter silently whenever they wanted...IF they wanted..

You wouldn't need to change the whole multipoint lock, just the cylinder.

propertyrental

mrmagoo38 said:

Ive checked, the lock is a winkhaus tfa-1 2070

Replacements cost like £100...

I think we'll just use the inside bolts, or improvise, the door is opposite stairs so perhaps i could rig up some sort of bar or plank of wood between the stairs and the door? The more i talk about this, the more i have momentary influxes of 'im being ridiculous' etc
But really, they could enter silently whenever they wanted...IF they wanted..

Iwon;t pretend to be a locksmith, but I strongly suspect that the £100 is for the total locking system, including the top and bottom bolts.

You don't need to replace those - you just replace the key operated cylinder in the middle. A quick search found these for around 40 euros (£30?), but I'm sure there are UK suppliers too. Just make sure you buy a compatible cylinder size.

https://www.sullus.com/lock-cylinder/winkhaus.html

Silvertabby

Ask the landlord to fit a chain.  Perfectly reasonable request - to be honest, I'm surprised that one wasn't fitted by the builders. 

Will prevent anyone with a key sneaking in on you, but won't withstand a kick from a fireman's boot (oops - should that be fireperson or firefighter!)