Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

front door has to be locked with a key

134 replies

NoahVale · 13/12/2015 08:50

we had a new lock fitted, since the spring was broken and it had broken in the past.
they didnt have correct fitting but did use the one they had, it is obviously not intended for a front door, it is white for a start

but mainly you need to lock it with a key. DD noticed, luckily. Otherwise we were unaware. You can let yourself in from the outside.
We dont like this.
Obviously it means to go out you have to physically lock the door, not a bad idea since it ensures you never go out without a key. but we arent used to this and when we are home in the day/evening we would also have to physically lock, from the inside.
I complained that it wasnt safe as i think in a fire/emergency you would have to find your key to get out of the house.
AIBU

OP posts:
ginmakesitallok · 13/12/2015 08:53

Yes. Yabu. We just leave the key in the door at night, or on the stairs. The very slim risk of being caught in a fire is much much smaller than the risk of locking ourselves out on a daily basis.

You'll get used to it.

Creampastry · 13/12/2015 08:54

Just get used to it. As long as no one could get their hand through the ketterbix, leave the key in the door.

Creampastry · 13/12/2015 08:54
  • letterbox
silverduck · 13/12/2015 08:55

Lots of front doors are like this now, ours is and when we moved in I started looking at other people's front doors and theirs are like it too. We have strict rules in our house about where we keep a spare key in case of fire.

It does mean you won't lock yourself out but also that we quite often don't lock our front door when we are in, which isn't ideal.

I don't think the housing association will replace as it is a standard thing but I do agree with you that it's stupid!

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 13/12/2015 08:55

If you can't see or reach through the letterbox, leave the key on the inside of the lock.

Depending in the type of lock, you may be able to change it yourself.

Mine cost about a tenner, and I gave my LL the spare key.

Minions · 13/12/2015 08:57

I think that kind of lock is quite normal. We always lock the door from the inside during the day and leave the key in the door. At night after we've locked up, we take the key out and leave it on the top stair so we know where it is in an emergency. I like it, can't lock myself out.

honeysucklejasmine · 13/12/2015 08:57

Ours is like this. It's not a big deal really. If we're in an out a lot that day I leave the key in the lock, but otherwise they are on the stairs.

I like it because I HAVE to lock it, so I don't get halfway to work and wonder if I deadlocked the door.

silverduck · 13/12/2015 08:57

The trouble with a key in the door is that if you have a letterbox it is easy for burglars to get.

SugarPlumTree · 13/12/2015 08:57

We have a lock like this. We were going to replace it with a Yale lock but the locksmith said our spcurrent one would take him a lot longer to get into and he would change it but didn't really recommend it. We keep the key close by in case of fire.

Gobletofgin · 13/12/2015 08:57

We have this, I think many pvc doors have these, a deadlock is more secure than a Yale lock I think. I like the fact that you can't get locked out when you go to the bin etc. We have a key that is left in the door all the time, so there's no having to look for a key ring in the night.

Original poster
NoahVale · 13/12/2015 08:57

oh, interesting point that we may be able to change it ourselves, thanks

OP posts:
CrohnicallyAspie · 13/12/2015 08:58

Every house I ever lived in has had this sort of lock! You get used to it, and I'd be more worried about locking myself out with a Yale type.

We don't have a letterbox here so leave the key in the door overnight, houses we lived in before we left the key inside somewhere where we would have to pass to get to the front door, but out of sight/reach of the letterbox).

Hulababy · 13/12/2015 08:58

Our door is key locked.
Means you can't lock yourself out.
I lock
The door whenever we are in.
I put the key either on top of the show cabinet - out of sight/reach of door but very close - on on the bottom step at bedtime - so easy access.

Original poster
NoahVale · 13/12/2015 08:59

well with a 21 year old DS who may or may not come home late at night, although he is getting better, I wouldnt like to leave a key in the door.

OP posts:
SmallLegsOrSmallEggs · 13/12/2015 08:59

Put a nail on the wall next to the front door and hang a key on it.
But I don't like being locked in either.
The risk of a fire may be small but if there is one you want to be able to get out.
You could get a second yale lock fitted.

FatimaLovesBread · 13/12/2015 08:59

Eh don't most front doors need a key. Unless you've got a tale type one.
Why does being white and having a key mean it's obviously not intended for a front door?

PinkSquash · 13/12/2015 08:59

I've had doors like this fif 15+ years and my firefighter husband says to leave the key in the back of the door as long as it's not visible from outside.

x2boys · 13/12/2015 08:59

I,m also in housing association they replaced my front and back door a few weeks ago both have to be locked with a key they are nice doors though.

SilverdaleGlen · 13/12/2015 09:00

I've never lived in a house that didn't have a lock that required a key, I think it's fairly standard you'll get used to it!

Best tip is to install a little hook above the inside doorframe and hang a spare key there for emergencies. Don't leave a key in the door if you have a letterbox as it could be hooked out and used.

Hulababy · 13/12/2015 09:00

Harder to break into often too

allnewredfairy · 13/12/2015 09:01

You will get used to it. We have a upvc door and it's like this.

RebootYourEngine · 13/12/2015 09:01

I have only ever lived in one house that had a yale lock and it was a pain. If i was nipping out to the garden i had to make sure i either had keys or the yale lock wasnt on. It is so easy to lock yourself out.

I keep my keys close to the door, always in the same place.

Bunbaker · 13/12/2015 09:01

We haven't had a front door with a Yale lock for years. I think most locks are like this now as they are more secure. Just leave the key in the door and keep the default as always locked. It is an easy habit to get into.

It also means that you can't accidentally lock yourself out.

londonrach · 13/12/2015 09:01

I didnt know there were locks without keys. Surely everyone locks their door when coming through it.

TheGruffaloFish · 13/12/2015 09:02

We have the same (but no letterbox) and have always had a door you need to lock with a key. It's practical because you always know you have your key on you. If you don't want to leave a key in the lock, then put a hook in a sensible place near the door where you can hang your keys.