Changing locks on our btl

[Efferlunt]

Newbie Landlord here. Have found tenants through an agency and all seems well. The only request the tenants have made is that they would like to change the locks and will pay to do this. I can understand this but if prefer they didn't do it I hope I can reassure them that as our former family home I have been scrupulous in who has had access to the keys.

Is this a normal request. If they insist what should I make sure of? The type of locks they use presumably? I can't make any major objections to this I feel but feel wary about it for some reason.

If they're paying let them do it. But yes, make sure they're replacing like with like.

You might have been careful with the keys but what about the people before you? I've got keys to lots of old houses!

A yale barrel is about ten quid but a 5 lever mortice is about 25 . You would need to take out old mortice as they come in more than one size down the years. So you might have carpentry with a chisel. I would be present and get one key for yourself. The barrels for a patio upvc door are about 25 quid each, changed one barrel earlier in the year it was from B&Q

If you know the make and model of the lock, it will be very easy to get one the same size. The front door should have a 5-lever mortice deadlock Kitemarked British Standard 3621:2007, preferably supplemented with a BS nightlatch.

The Union 2134E (note the "E" suffix) is very good value and a Which best buy. It has a red case.

Almost all BS deadlocks are about two and a half inch size, but it may have been rounded down to 65mm or up to 67mm or even 70mm depending on make or model, so if you buy a different one you may need to chisel out the mortice or cut a new keyhole in a different position.

BS nightlatches are more expensive. Non-BS nightlatches will generally keep the door from blowing open in a strong wind, but will not unduly inconvenience a housebreaker.

Locks with Eurocylinders will generally not meet the BS and have certain vulnerabilities. Insurers usually insist on BS locks on front doors, and deadlocks supplemented by mortice rackbolts on all other doors.

If you have a plastic door you will probably be unable to get a BS lock to fit.