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Front door lock and back door lock needed.

Wouldy
Making a Splash

Front door lock and back door lock needed.

door 1.jpgdoor 2.jpg

This is the front door condition of the house I am living in. I am moving out. However, until I do it is not safe. I have locks on my front door but it would be ever so easy to break in and the owner has a key which I do not feel comfortable with. The current door lock is just a standard basic lock that you twist. Its not good enough for me. Very easy to break into them and with the condition of the wood even easier. Pop in a screwdriver and you are in. I am not feeling safe. 

I need to buy two locks. one for the front door and one for the back door which is ion a similar condition. My plan is to remove the locks and take them with me when I leave. So, I need some very fast suggestions for which locks to buy that are not going to break the bank and that are easy to install by myself. I am pretty handy but I cant deal with anything complicated right now at all. Pretty stressed. I am open to alternatives as secure locks that I can take with me when I leave as well. 

Thank you. 

Wouldy. 

StevieB
Retired Team Member
Retired Team Member

Re: Front door lock and back door lock needed.

Sorry to hear that it's a stressful time at the moment @Wouldy.

 

Let me tag @Adam_W and @Nham for their thoughts. @MitchellMc will also be happy to help when he's back on the site tomorrow.

 

Stevie

 

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Adam_W
Workshop Legend

Re: Front door lock and back door lock needed.

Oh dear, not an ideal situation @Wouldy 
By the book... the owner/landlord (or their managing agent) is legally entitled to have a key for access but they are not supposed to use it for entry without notifying you. They should also provide a safe & secure property but that's another story...
Those frames are so heavily damaged that in most situations I'd be saying they need to actually be rebuilt. Obviously that's not possible here.
What you want is a twin-pack of 'keyed alike' deadlocks or other suitable external locks. You will likley have to ask for these as they are often kept behind the counter.
I would suggest that you take nice clear photos of both the frame and door. Hold a ruler up against the lock area when you do. Chances are the locks are just standard sizes but worth having that info. Also take a pic of the side of the door - the bit where the bolt from the lock comes out.
Take this info into the store with you & chat with one of the door hardware specialists. You may have to ask at the Trade Counter to find out the best person to talk with, just explain your situation.
Sorry I couldn't be more specific but these situations really need a one-on-one solution in-store.

Re: Front door lock and back door lock needed.

@Adam_W 

 

I'm.doing the legal things by the book to leave the property asap. Moving along. Thanks for the advice and directions. I will gather the necessary things needed and take a trip to Bunnings. I agree and knew the whole door frame needed to be replaced. Owner refuses anything at all. I'm not responsible for paying for it so I will just take your advice and go in store. That's the end to this specific issue. Many thanks. 

 

Wouldy

pstq
Having an Impact

Re: Front door lock and back door lock needed.

If you're mostly interested in making the door secure while you're home, you could just fit a security chain. It's not going to help while you're out, of course.

Re: Front door lock and back door lock needed.

No probs @Wouldy, glad it was of some help.
I should just add too that swapping out a lock is actually a pretty simple process if the existing lock is just a regular type of fitting.
Probably the most confusing part is getting the length of the locking rod right. You'll understand when you start doing it. Just read the instructions thoroughly before you get stuck in & take some photos of the old lock as you remove so you can re-fit it easily.

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