How is this not illegal?

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81926860#Comment_81926860

It's a tip, but as I don't have a letter box on my front door, not relevant to me personally.

Torry_Quine

My door needs a key to lock and unlock both inside and out. It's never occurred to me that it was an issue. I keep a key safely nearby and like the fact that I can't be locked out.

Eldi_Dos

@somerandomusername

You can get keys that will only open the lock from the inside and these are perfectly safe to leave in all the time from a fire safety and security point of view.

Worth looking into as it will be almost certainly cheaper than replacing the whole lock.

Slinky

Our front door has a thumb turn on the inside (no letterbox) and you have to pull the handle up outside and turn the key in the lock to lock it, so can't lock ourselves out. We also have a thumb turn on the door at the bottom of the stairs that goes into the garage as an escape route in the event of a fire in the house.

Bigphil1474

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81926270#Comment_81926270

If I go out of my front door and slam it shut , it doesn't lock. I do get a mouthful from my dear OH, but it cannot lock. It was the same in my old house. The door was either locked or unlocked. Our old house was a standard composite front door with a standard lock. Our current house has more of a UPVC type front door but again it's some sort of multi lock thing that has one key barrel and is either locked or unlocked. I don't understand how anyone would not understand that? I know that some doors will be locked if you just close them - a bit like hotel doors - hence my original comment. Thanks

user1977

I don't understand - with either lock option, key or thumb-turn - if you go out and slam the door behind you, you are surely 'locked' out

Surely you've encountered doors which don't do that? They're pretty commonplace.

WIAWSNB

Phil and user, I think we must be considering different type of lock? I am referring to purely key-operated locks, as I think is the OP.

What type of lock - and bolt - are you referring to?

Most bolts are spring-loaded and have a slanted end to allow it to be closed with a push (or pull). In which case, how do you open it again without a key?

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927864#Comment_81927864

We have a multi point lock on our back door, I can unlock it with a key and close the door without it locking - engaging the lock involves raising the handle. If I don't do that the door remains unlocked.

This is different from the night latch and eurolock arrangements (2 locks) on our front door.

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927864#Comment_81927864

As an example, a modern multi-point lock as installed by one of the big housebuilders. Needs a key to be locked after closing, whether from inside or outside. I've also encountered one (similar to @Emmia 's example) where if (and only if) you lift the handle up after closing from outside, it engages the other bolt points and locks (without a key). But merely closing it behind you doesn't lock.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81927864#Comment_81927864

Most bolts are spring-loaded and have a slanted end to allow it to be closed with a push (or pull). In which case, how do you open it again without a key?

Generally what you are describing in the bold bit is a "latch". Latches engage using spring pressure - they stay in the engaged position unless a lever or key is used to retract them. A 'bolt' typically has some form of over-centre mechanism. A key or lever is used to move it from one position to the other, but it will stay in whichever position it was set to.

The standard for front doors is to have a latching mechanism which keeps the door shut whether locked or unlocked. Usually the latch is supplemented by one or more bolts - which might be part of the same locking mechanism, or a separate lock.

If the latch and bolt are combined into one mechanism then it is usual for the handle(s) and keys to work in combination to operate the latch and bolt.

But with a split-spindle lock, the handle on the outside (if any) doesn't operate the latch, the key has to be used to withdraw the latch.

But not all front door locks are split-spindle.

The owners of spilt-spindle locks have the benefit that they can leave the door unlocked without the risk of someone on the outside letting themselves in. But it means that if you go outside without your key and the door shuts you won't be able to operate the latch to open the door. The same applies in some cases if you've got your key but there's a key left in the lock on the inside.

From what Bigphil1474 describes they have a solid-spindle lock. Which means the handle on the outside operates the latch as well as the bolt. This is the type of lock you'd normally have on back doors where there is less risk of a stranger letting themselves in, and so you don't need to take your key with you each time you go out into the garden.

Bolts need to be positively operated, so generally you can't lock yourself out with a a bolt-type lock (unless you lose the key). Latch-type locks will operate automatically if the door shuts. So you can lock yourself out if the latch can only be operated from the outside using a key.