Is there any solution-lockable post box

[VeryLowTum]

Recently moved into a new house. It has no postbox in the door so one of these on the wall:

www.dunelm.com/product/grey-post-box-1000182653?defaultSkuId=30718836&ds_c=Home+Decor_Ornaments_%5BGOO-PLA-HOMEDECOR-ORNAMENTS%5D&gclid=CjwKCAjw_MqgBhAGEiwAnYOAel0xjwM3PfYkpgp1eBqJFCxy_hDodmeYQdresg1O67U0m74f2-G4rhoC3dsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Realised after the first day post was delivered that they didn't leave a key. Contacted the sellers and they've just said they've lost it.

1. I assume I have to remove and install a new one as there's no way of just getting a replacement key?

2. any bright ideas for removing the couple of letters that were put in before I realised (have now sealed it up and left note for postie). Have tried trying to hook out with tongs but can't do it. Do I need to smash it open somehow?

That looks similar to locks on office cabinets. A locksmith? When we had similar issues with keys going missing in the office they were able to open them with ease and then replace the lock. Although that might be more expensive than your "smash it open and replace".

Thanks, I wasn't sure if it would be too small or fiddly for a locksmith so will see if I can get someone.

Timpsons might have a key for it. A lot of those sort of things have standard keys. Worth a try.

Or ask Dunelm's Head Office?

Or somewhere like this www.replacementkeys.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp8Ld_8Hg_QIVAWHmCh1dfwG5EAAYASAAEgLQDfD_BwE

Remove it and cut the back of the box out. Re fix to wall so you can hook it on and off?

Is there a code written on the lock? Like the image but maybe with letters too.

Thanks all! No code on the lock and I'm not even sure it is Dunelm, it just looks similar.

However, poking about trying to work out how it was fixed to the wall meant I snapped off the see though bits so could actually get the post out by grabbing it from below and above!

Just need to try and get it off the wall now and get a new one!

Ah it can't be the Dunelm one as that one has no see through bits!

Has anyone got one they'd recommend?

Previous owners have "lost it" ?

Sounds unlikely if all their post is going in there.

More likely that they fancy using your house as a mail drop and might turn up and empty it every now and then.

The lock probably works by a tab that rotates into a clasp located at the top centre of the box.

So that should give you enough info to figure out how to smash it open.

Seeing as your going to have to replace it, just whack the top off with a hammer? If you whack it under that top lip the top will pop off

Yes I'd be getting a letterbox installed and smashing that box off the wall.

How were the previous people getting their mail?

They've never emptied it (been a few weeks now) so this seems very unlikely. I think they are just rubbish/disorganised and couldn't be bothered handing over the keys properly.

Using that, but they had the key which they lost in the move.

I think installing a letterbox will be quite costly compared to just getting a new one of these?

Pretty sure that when you remove the door it will expose the inside mounting to the wall. You'll be able to undo that and then mount the new one in its place.

If you go at it with a sledgehammer and try to smash it off the wall there is a good chance you might damage the brickwork, especially if it has been well fixed.

Thanks. The back is completely solid, and appears to have round black things which are attaching it to the wall, which seem really firm. I can't feel anything from the inside so not sure pulling the front bit off entirely will help?

Pretty sure it will fit through from the inside - it's the logical way :

They sell that one on amazon

www.amazon.co.uk/Sterling-Aire-Steel-Postbox-white/dp/B008F5K8OU/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.1d6f130b-ed14-4456-9a85-aa9a43b8a61d%3Aamzn1.sym.1d6f130b-ed14-4456-9a85-aa9a43b8a61d&crid=34SQZ3GCOJA54&cv_ct_cx=postbox&keywords=postbox&pd_rd_i=B008F5K8OU&pd_rd_r=dc5d7b49-2f07-4c78-9b0e-97cbee5c3977&pd_rd_w=3labK&pd_rd_wg=dUi4L&pf_rd_p=1d6f130b-ed14-4456-9a85-aa9a43b8a61d&pf_rd_r=K6X9JM6M68S06MMXY63Q&qid=1679065241&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=postbox%2Caps%2C66&sr=1-3-ad3222ed-9545-4dc8-8dd8-6b2cb5278509-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

Oh good find! I wonder if they all have the same key...

I've checked again and you're right! So just need to get the whole front off now.

Ah it's not actually that Amazon one as that has a printed key number and mine doesn't.

We have a similar issue - but you can just reach into the box and flip the locking tab down to open it (which I suspect is what the previous owners had been doing) so we've just carried on doing that! Eventually I'll buy a new box and get it swapped over, but it's low on the list of things to do.

Seriously? It's £17.50
Buy a new one. It will cost you more than that to get a locksmith to even come out to you.

Just tried and it doesn't work, it won't move at all to either side. Annoying!

@Oblomov23 it was more about accessing the trapped post