Being locked in?

This is a fire hazard. You could actually die not being able to get out the door. You would be trapped inside by fire.

He either gets the locks sorted and you get keys as well or move out.

1. If you are married, it should be about "your" house. Why is it his house?
2. Tell him he's being an idiot about the front door. Imagine if the house caught fire!
3. Tell him to get off his arse and sort out the back garden fence so the dogs can't get out.
4. Remind him you're his wife.
5. Contact your solicitor about getting the key from the previous owner.

tbh, it's a reasonable thing to just book a locksmith to come and fix it. I cannot believe any spouse could reasonably object. House ownership is not a reason to stop this. You have a fire risk and inconvenience. If he tries to stop this being done, to be honest it would be a very bad sign.
You just want a normal, working front door, like everyone else.

His often do you need to get out while he's spending 3 to 4 minutes smoking a fag?

Missed that one….

Get a new lock for the front door. The previous owner may have given copies to any Tom, Divk or Harry...

Please don't get these types of locks or any others that can be opened from the inside without a key! We had similar, and were burgled whilst asleep in bed - dead easy for the burglars as once they'd smashed the glass panel in the back door, they could just unlock the door and stroll in!
But as others have said, you need to be able to lock and unlock your front door in case of fire!

Assuming you are married calling him DH tou absolutely do have ownership of the house so don't let him tell you otherwise. I'd suggest you look into registering a beneficiary interest in the property with the land registry.

And yes if you cannot get out of the house it is a problem. But he knows this and is being deliberately awkward.

So when someone comes to the front door, do you tell them to go round the back? (Bought a house where front door was locked from inside and key lost.. we could get in but not out. Then one day I tried a random key I found in a drawer and voilà, it worked! I wonder how long the previous owner didn't use that door for. She'd had a doorbell put in the back door because of it!)

Fook that. Get locks sorted. When you need to get out you'll wish you had.

The fire brigade would probably expect you to be able to open all your doors.

If there's no access out the front door then yes you have a right to be upset. Your DH needs to realise if there was a fire while he was out there you would be able to get out. As for the front from what you say he should be replacing that lock again if there's a fire it limits both your escape routes and the dogs. It sounds more alike he's preventing you leaving which may be a sign of cohesive control rather than just to keep the dogs in.

The real question her is why isn't she having this discussion with her husband. Only without the unreasonable framing.

There's times I'm very glad to be single.

If he’s your husband it’s half your house - doesn’t matter who pays the mortgage or name on deed

She’s feeling trapped in her own home if he goes out for a cigarette.

She describes herself as being oppressed.

She’s utterly convinced that she has no rights in her own home because it belongs to her husband.

Here’s where critical thinking skills come in handy. Do any of those three things indicate a healthy and happy marriage to you? Does a man who lets his wife believe that she has no rights sound like a good husband to you? Does it sound normal that she’s feeling trapped after five minutes, even though there’s a perfectly rational explanation for why he locks the door when he smokes outside?

True. Some folk do love the dramatics. It's sadly though likely to be a result of the fact that this the reality for many.

I agree, but she's never come back has she? But apparently it's clear to everyone that he is lying about not having a key and is keeping her locked inside the house (while he nips out for a fag...) and that he is abusive and terrifying.

Ok, and is there any harm in offering empathy and support, because it sounds like there’s more to it, and the op might be reading it? What is a better option?

I don't own the house, DH does, therefore I have no right to change locks.Yes I am depressed, oppressed, unhappy and dejected.

Not think this is where people are getting the idea there is more to it? It's odd that she claims she has no right to change the locks in a house that is, by rights, half hers.

I have. The thread is other people who aren't the OP saying there is more to it.

Read the thread, it’s fairly obvious there’s more to it

What, three replies that don't really say much?

The most common, Eurocylinder locks cost about £10 to £12 to replace, and it takes about 90 seconds.
But - you need to be able to open the door to do it yourself. A locksmith can come and replace the cylinder and give you a new set of keys. It's a fire and theft risk to not have keys for your own front door, so just get it done without asking him if it's OK first. Just say it was worrying you.

Agree.

Indeed. When you pay thousands for a house, the obvious thing you expect in return is a key to the front door.

YANBU. Especially if you feel depressed, oppressed, unhappy and dejected.

Locking people in a home is a (not uncommon) form of abuse. It obviously controls people, as it stops them from leaving. It’s also potentially dangerous if the windows are also locked or don’t open very far, e.g. fire escape.

You say it’s your husband’s house. If you’re married, is there a reason the house isn’t also in your name? You may be entitled to half the assets in any case. Again, this is potentially controlling.

You say you have no right to change the locks. Has your DH said that to you? Please know you do have rights. You have a right to not be subjected to abuse, including coercive control. It’s unlawful. You have a right to divorce your husband and be granted a share of marital assets. You have a right to earn your own money, pay for your own home and live your own life. You have a right to do anything you please, as long as it’s lawful.

If you feel oppressed, please take the step of contacting a domestic abuse organisation. Women’s Aid if in UK. They will believe you. You’ve made a great first step posting here. You don’t have to leave your husband but at least get some advice to get perspective and understand your rights and options.

In the meantime, be very clear you don’t want to be locked in, so the front door lock must be urgently changed so it can be opened from inside without a key. The previous owners shouldn’t go off with the front door key. Very odd. It means they can get back in. Ask the estate agent or solicitor for them to return it, then change the barrel.