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Original poster

Any locksmiths? What's this plate on my door?

22 replies

Tileoh · 02/12/2023 19:58

I'm painting my door and would like to swap my handles for brass.

Can I do that with this plate thing?

I messaged a locksmith and he said it might be there because someone broke the door and left a hole?? Which seems unlikely!

Do I need to keep it and can I just get a brass handle?

Any locksmiths? What's this plate on my door?
Any locksmiths? What's this plate on my door?
OP posts:
Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 20:21

Also it's a housing association house so I don't think they'd use this to cover a hole?

OP posts:
Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 20:39

Can I just leave the plate and change the handle?

OP posts:
MrsMiagi · 02/12/2023 20:40

Do you not need permission to change handles etc with your housing association?

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Home improvement
Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 20:41

MrsMiagi · 02/12/2023 20:40

Do you not need permission to change handles etc with your housing association?

They said I could do it as I did an exchange. The other housing association changed the locks for the other recipient but mine said I can do it if I want but they won't do it for me.

OP posts:
Jewelspun · 02/12/2023 20:44

Don't take offence but if it's a housing association is there the possibility that your tarting up the front door could catch the eye of other residents who could target you or your flat/house thinking you have money to spend on what they may think is a trivial item?

Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 20:46

Jewelspun · 02/12/2023 20:44

Don't take offence but if it's a housing association is there the possibility that your tarting up the front door could catch the eye of other residents who could target you or your flat/house thinking you have money to spend on what they may think is a trivial item?

What? 😂😂😂

I live on a private road. Mine is the only housing association property on the street and everyone is lovely!

You think because I rent I shouldn't be able to make my home nice?

Are you insane?

OP posts:
Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 20:53

Even if my road wasn't private and I lived on a housing estate full of HA properties I would still take pride in my home and make it nice. Why do you assume that HA neighbours would 'target me'?? You think we're all burglars? 😂

My previous home WAS on a HA estate and I spent 20 happy years there and had a beautifully decorated home and neighbors who I loved. We all looked after each other!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 02/12/2023 21:09

Is it a house or a flat op? Just wondering if it’s a fire door.

Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 21:13

It's a house. Leads onto a normal (non criminal) street 😁

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 02/12/2023 21:17

I can only think that someone who owned the house before was very security conscious.(I do have some professional knowledge, not quite just a guess)

CatherinedeBourgh · 02/12/2023 21:18

Photo is a bit blurry, but looks like it's just attached with screws? If so, you lose nothing by taking it off and taking a look - you can always pop it back on.

BitOutOfPractice · 02/12/2023 21:18

Was it ever a business run from there? That return to door stainless steel handle is very often used in commercial settings eg offices, rather than houses. It’s rather odd I agree!

sorry but I do love door hardware 😬

BitOutOfPractice · 02/12/2023 21:19

And yes, unscrew it and look. It’s not something you’d normally have on a front door

Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 21:20

Hmm, I have been quite friendly with the lady I did the exchange with so I might ask her.

Actually she was a foster carer of troubled teens so maybe she had to have extra security? There's also one of those fire box things fitted on the inside of the letterbox, so that may be it.

OP posts:
HerMammy · 02/12/2023 21:29

Don't take offence but if it's a housing association is there the possibility that your tarting up the front door could catch the eye of other residents who could target you or your flat/house thinking you have money to spend on what they may think is a trivial item?

what am I reading?
@Jewelspun are you insane?
HA tenants MUST live in a hovel and doff their caps at home owners and be grateful for their free house as per MN 🤣🥹

BitOutOfPractice · 02/12/2023 21:33

Yes have a word with her. It looks like lots of the hardware has been added on ad hoc / replaced etc. There’s a story there for sure.

Original poster
Tileoh · 02/12/2023 22:02

Thankyou, I will. Thinking about it I'm pretty sure it's to do with her fostering as there were several other changed things in the house that were requirements of that (heavy locks on bathrooms and her bedroom etc)

OP posts:
Original poster
Tileoh · 03/12/2023 14:38

Yeah it was for fostering. She asked for extra security as she specialised in troubled teens, mainly older teenage boys who were sometimes violent etc.

So I'm fine to remove it.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 03/12/2023 16:38

Is it a private house or housing association op? House or flat?

Original poster
Tileoh · 03/12/2023 17:11

Housing association.

OP posts:
anunlikelyseahorse · 03/12/2023 19:56

Don't gold plate it OP or everyone will want one😂😂😂
Only on mumsnet could you be warned about advertising to local hooligans by tarting up your gaff!
It looks as if it should be quite easy to change; unscrew the four screws and I imagine you'll see the screws of the handle and lock, which should undo quite easily and replace with your 24ct brass ones. If in doubt have a look on YouTube before you start, and give yourself plenty of time, because no matter how safe the area you live, I don't imagine you'd want to find yourself without a locking door (I know I wouldn't) and diy jobs always seem to take double the time they should! it's amazing the useful DIY vids people upload, always my go to before I start dismantling stuff.

BitOutOfPractice · 03/12/2023 20:07

In that case @Tileoh I’d get in touch with them. They might come and sort it for you. Doors are a touchy subject with HAs right now.

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