I recently had a complaint come through from my tenant via my letting agency - a key has been snapped in the front door lock.
The letting agency have sent round a locksmith to assess the damage. As it is a UPVC front door with a standard Euro Cylinder lock, I assumed that this would be a routine job, maybe involving drilling out the old cylinder to allow a new cylinder to be fitted. However, the letting agent’s locksmith has advised that a completely new front door needs to be fitted, as the “cylinder is jammed in the door and cannot be removed”.
I’ve asked for a second opinion, and the agency sent out a different contractor, who has sent back an estimate for the same thing - a completely new UPVC front door to be supplied and fitted.
To me, this seems very odd that the entire front door needs to be replaced just because a lock has failed. Unfortunately, I’m not in the country at the moment so I can’t assess the situation for myself, but whenever a situation like this has happened in the past, it has always been enough to remove the old cylinder and fit a new like-for-like replacement cylinder.
Can anyone confirm if this is a reasonable assessment or not? I’m not keen to pay out £2,000 for a new front door if this isn’t necessary. Thanks in advance.
Just as an added piece of advice, how often are the locks checked for wear and lubricated with silicone? I check the lock works fine as part of my inspections.
Also, are your locks and duplicate keys the cheapest possible or are they 3 star solid secure diamond rated locks? Installing the latter would not only prevent the tenant/agent from duplicating keys without your knowledge (you hold the code needed to duplicate) but would prevent snapped keys as these are far more durable locks and keys.
I would agree with you, a new door for a key that has snapped in the lock is excessive, unless there was prior damage to the door.
The issue you have is, you’ll need to get an independent contractor to give you a second opinion, as both of the contractors sent out are effectively on the letting agent’s book.
From prior experience the Letting agent generally adds 10% to the invoice sent out.
It’s rear for a door to be replace, just because a key has snapped in the lock, a locksmith worth his salt should easily be able to sort out the issue, and in the worst case scenario, you will require a new lock, and locking mechanism.
I would go out and take a look
Two people does not make it correct especially if the letting agent sent them
I would think one could take out the screw that hold the cylinder in place and nudge it out
Sometimes the barrel holding the cylinder has two alan key screws fixing that in place that need to be loosened too
I would advise you take off the door handles and have a look
Maybe ask a door fitter rather than a locksmith
There mark up is ridiculous
A UPVC door is not £2k. That’s not even the cost of a composite door…
Last year my locksmith told me the mechanism was not replaceable. It was not. the manufacturer that made them stopped making them. However I went back to the fitter and he had a spare from years ago. Cost me nothing.
Don’t believe everything someone tells you. Research it yourself
Get an independent assessment not from the agency. Someone who fits windows and doors should be able to sort. Don’t mention what the other folks have said , just that the key has snapped in the lock.
I bought a lock for a flat by Ultion, they regularly email remind you to lubricate the lock with their libricant, a bit annyong at first but I can do it from the outside so once a year I give it a squirt
Sounds like a scam to me!
You can try to find a contractor online rather than having agency sent people because they (contractors and agency) all work together.
I was told that you’re supposed to use graphite with locks; not a liquid lubricant as dust will stick to it. Although maybe silicone is better than oil.
As to the OP’s issue: Euro locks are held in by a screw which is inserted at the side of the door and thus is only accessible when the door is open. If you are very lucky it may be possible to unscrew the hinges from the inside, otherwise it’s a destructive process.
The problem might be that a lot of cylinder locks nowadays are ‘anti drill’ so it might not be possible to drill it out. In future, I would recommend getting the locks that have thumb turns on the internal end so you can still unlock the door and remove the lock if a key has broken.
I know we had to do it for HMO’s in 2012 but I thought it was introduced it into all houses in 2015 when the CO and smoke alarm regs were updated for regular tenancies
I just remember being in a fire department lecture where it was mentioned
Does the door still open (this happened to me and I could still push the stub of the key into the lock and open it). If so, it’s a 2 minute job with a screwdriver replace with a lock for £20-30.
If not, then I’d be trying myself with tweezers or a very find drill (on a Dremel) and fine screw into the hole to pull it out.
As others have said, get another locksmith out. Perhaps send some photos to them in advance.