URGENT Thumb turn cylinder lock on door question

[Tobythecat]

I'm moving to a new house (rented from family member) and he's put a new door in which features this type of lock; you lift the handle and turn the lock by hand to lock it from the inside, but you need a key to lock it/open it from the outside.

If I was to lock it from the inside, would somebody with a key be able to open it from the outside, even if it it locked on the inside?

Reason I ask is because this family member has poor boundaries and I made it quite clear to him that I dont want him just letting himself into my home when he feels like it. I said I would just put the key all the way through the lock so he wouldnt be able to open it from the outside, but he has gone and put this type of lock on the door and i'm wondering if he is doing this so he can let himself into my home?

[RunningOutOfCharge]

Yes they would

Do you have an extra lock or bolt?

I have the 'holiday' lock as well

[MrsHathaway]

We have one.

Yes you would be able to open with a key outside if someone had used the thumb turn inside. I lock the door when we get in from school; DH uses his key to open it when he gets home.

You'd want a chain, deadbolt etc as well to be sure boundaries are maintained.

[ElenaBothari]

Chains etc only help keep him out when you’re at home.

If you want to ensure he won’t come in without your permission then you need a different lock.

[RunningOutOfCharge]

I wouldn't rent from this person tho

[Tobythecat]

Thanks all. I'm fucking gutted, i'll have to stay in this freezing cold flat then. I'm gutted

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

Just put a chain on.

[Tobythecat]

he wont let me put a chain on

[specialsubject]

Change the lock on arrival . return it when you leave.

I take it this place is cheap for a reason?

[UpstartCrow]

He sounds dangerous.

[rjay123]

Just change the lock. Costs less than a tenner

[Berrygoodteeth]

These types of lock are common for fire doors in flats- replacing them would cost a fortune. The only way to stop him would be to put chain on but that won’t stop the issue of him trying to enter your flat without your permission.

[Autumnchill]

I wouldn't be comfortable with that. Fine when you're in the house but you say they won't allow a chain? Nope, I wouldn't sleep soundly (I've got 3 locks on front door)

[TheMaddHugger]

If you do take the place, get some Door wedges [novelty is fun] kick them in firmly so no one can open the doors inwards. If you need to leave, just jump out the window [optional 🤗🤣]

[tempuser123]

if its a euro lock then as someone has said you can just swap the cylinder relatively cheaply.

I've found the backs of our dining chairs wedge nicely under the handle which would stop anyone getting in even if they had a key. This only works when you are at home though.

[sashh]

If I was to lock it from the inside, would somebody with a key be able to open it from the outside, even if it it locked on the inside?

Yes if you remove the key, no if you leave the key in. I leave my key in partly for that reason but also in case of fire or other emergency, I'm not hunting for a key.

[Thereshegoesagain]

If I leave a key on the inside of our lock, no one unlock it from the outside.
I’m not sure it’s the same lock, but worth an experiment.
You can explain it away as fire safety ( that’s why we leave our key there).

[Kitsharrington]

I’m pretty sure if you leave the key in the lock no one can get the key in from the outside.

[tempuser123]

sashh Thereshegoesagain Kitsharrington

Read the title - its "Thumb turn cylinder lock". You don't use a key inside.

[AngeloMysterioso]

If you mean this type of lock OP, unless you have a second lock or a chain etc then yes, anyone with a key can get in.

[AngeloMysterioso]

Try again with photos...

[brownelephant]

either you

• put up with it
  
• change the locks (just the cylinder, it's easy to do yourself with a youtube tutorial)
  
• don't rent from the person
  

if you go ahead, read up on tennancy rights. they cannot just enter another person's home without permission.

I assume it will be a ast with deposit & contract?

[Eltonjohnssyrup]

The door wedge idea is brilliant. A few of them under one door, there's no way he'd get in.

[Flomy]

You dont want him snooping around when you are out either.

[MrsHathaway]

The wider point is that OP doesn't trust this person to afford her quiet enjoyment and couldn't keep him out (whether she was at home or not) so is probably best advised to decline his offer.

Hope you find a suitable alternative very soon

[RowenasDiadem]

The advice is that all new tenants change their locks upon taking a tenancy. Contrary to what many are led to believe, the landlord does not legally have a right to keep a key. In fact, a non-resident holding a key for a property can actually affect the insurance. If the landlord wants non emergency access, he's not allowed in anyway without the tenant's permission. No matter if he gives 24, 48 or a hundred hours notice or his right to enter is written in the lease and signed in blood! A lease can not override a tenant's legal rights.
Emergency access, which he does have a legal responsibility for can be gained using a locksmith. And emergency means just that. Fire, flood, gas leak etc.

If you do take the tenancy, change the barrel lock. It takes 5 minutes and YouTube will show you how.