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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to lie to the council about losing keys?

24 replies

pani · 15/09/2010 18:33

DD lost her house key today. I'm really worried that somebody who knows where she lives may have seen her drop it and picked it up.

For my own peace of mind I'm going to have to get the locks changed but have phoned round a few places and not found anyone who can do it for less than £100.

This is money we simply don't have. We struggle day to day as it and have no savings.

As we live in a council house the council will change the locks for us but only if we are locked out of the house with no keys.

Would it be very wrong to go out tomorrow and pretend I've lost my keys and am locked out so they will come and change the locks for me?

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 15/09/2010 18:34

yes of course its wrong!!

ramonaquimby · 15/09/2010 18:34

yes it would be wrong, you know that or you wouldn't ask

GypsyMoth · 15/09/2010 18:35

what council offers that free service anyway?

LookToWindward · 15/09/2010 18:35

Yes. Very wrong. Fraud isn't an example I'd want to set to my kids.

Original poster
pani · 15/09/2010 18:36

Its a council house dragonfly, as my landlord they will change the lock if I lose my keys and can't gain entry to my home

OP posts:
TheInvisibleManDidIt · 15/09/2010 18:36

The council will charge you for it aswell! not as much as £100, and they will let you pay it up, but you'll still be charged.

GypsyMoth · 15/09/2010 18:38

my old place was council....no way would they do it for free

neither does my present HA

you might be lucky on household insurance....report the loss to police

BigBadMummy · 15/09/2010 18:38

Highly unlikely that anybody will find it and use it.

Can you Fit a chain insidecso at least when you are in the door cannot be opened?

Have you asked a locksmith tonjust change the barrel and notnthe whole lock?

Or you could go to B and Q and buy one and do it yourself. Keep the original to reinstate when you leave.

5inthebed · 15/09/2010 18:39

We got locked out of our council flat a few months ago, and the council billed us for £45, so I doubt they'll give you a freebie lock change.

pinkgrasshopper · 15/09/2010 18:40

Definitely wrong. Agree with Ramona (great username btw I LOVE those books), you know that really.

Original poster
pani · 15/09/2010 18:42

ah bugger! don't know who I'm kidding, I'm crap at telling lies anyway.

There is a chain that we can put on when we're in. I know I'm being paranoid about someone finding the key and getting into the house but I'm going to be worried sick!

OP posts:
oneofthosedays · 15/09/2010 19:19

I wouldn't imagine they would change the locks unless they had been stolen and you had a crime ref from the police.

If it's a yale lock the barrels are under a tenner to buy (last time I checked, which was a while ago) and get someone who knows what they're going to change it?

veyron · 15/09/2010 19:46

unless you have been mugged/had your bag stolen and have a crime ref no. (which will be checked) you will be charged. (I work for the repairs dept at a local council)

btw my DH just asked if your local as he is a chippy and will do it for £30 Grin

Original poster
pani · 15/09/2010 19:49

Where abouts are you veyron?

OP posts:
AMumInScotland · 15/09/2010 19:51

Is it just an ordinary Yale kind of lock? If so, its really easy to buy a replacement barrel and fit it yourself.

veyron · 15/09/2010 19:53

sunny southampton, you?

Original poster
pani · 15/09/2010 19:53

Its not a yale lock, its one of those ones that you have to push the handle up first and then lock it, horrible pvc door

OP posts:
Original poster
pani · 15/09/2010 19:54

ah veyron we're in scotland! couldn't be much further

OP posts:
veyron · 15/09/2010 20:01

dh has just breathed a sigh of relief (he's settled with the remote now)

1973magpie · 15/09/2010 20:04

You can buy UPVC lock barrels from Screwfix,

see here

Or from somewhere like B & Q.

Apparently these aren't too hard to change according to DH....

HTH Smile

Anenome · 15/09/2010 20:12

Hi there pani...is there some reason for you to be worried that someone may have been watching your daughter? If you hav concerns ten the council would definatelyry to help...might be worth letting them know your fears and lack of funds...my last council were very helpful to me when I had ome trouble.

llbeanj · 15/09/2010 20:26

it takes 5 minutes to change the lock barrel, you just need a screwdriver. take the old one out, measure it, and go to b&q or screwfix for a new one, shouldn't be more than £10.
i think there's exact instructions online somewhere.
although I wouldn't bother for just a lost key, unless you have reason to believe you have a stalker, or the address was with it.

llbeanj · 15/09/2010 20:28

it takes 5 minutes to change the lock barrel, you just need a screwdriver. take the old one out, measure it, and go to b&q or screwfix for a new one, shouldn't be more than £10-15.
i think there's exact instructions online somewhere.
although I wouldn't bother for just a lost key, unless you have reason to believe you have a stalker, or the address was with it.

Tippychoocks · 15/09/2010 20:30

If you can't change that lock, add another above it perhaps?

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