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You own a property. You rent it out. Seems simple enough, until someone asks if your front door lock could withstand a determined shoulder barge. While it’s tempting to treat locks as background detail, they’re anything but. Especially when you’re legally expected to keep the place secure. We’re not here to bore you with policy lingo, we’re here to show you what matters.
Security isn’t just about preventing break-ins. It’s about demonstrating responsibility. In a world where tenants talk and online reviews hold weight, being known as a landlord who cuts corners isn’t a great look.
UK law doesn’t hand you a checklist titled “Approved Locks for Landlords.” What it does say, via the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), is that your rental needs to be safe. Doors and windows? Secured against the outside world.
That doesn’t mean titanium deadbolts on every door, but it does mean the locks you do have must work properly, and not give way at the first sign of effort. Fail here, and you’re not just risking damage, you could be on the hook for negligence.
And here’s a nuance many landlords miss: tenants can report unsafe conditions to the council. If a housing officer visits and sees dodgy locks, you might find yourself with improvement notices, or worse.
Ever heard of BS3621? Probably not over your morning coffee. It’s a British Standard, a set of tests locks must pass to earn the stamp. Not required by law, but nearly every insurer expects it.
If someone breaks in and your door lock doesn’t meet this standard? Good luck arguing that claim. While you won’t end up in court for skipping BS3621, your insurance might laugh you out the door.
It’s also worth noting that BS3621 locks typically come with added features like anti-pick, anti-drill, and anti-bump protection. That’s not just jargon. Those features translate into a tougher time for would-be intruders.
Changing the locks when tenants move on isn’t legally required, but it’s smart. You have no idea how many key copies are floating around. Some might be with friends, exes, even a former cleaner. That’s why it’s important to change your locks when you move into a new property. One lock change saves you a world of uncertainty.
Every tenant should get a full set of keys, no debate. And just because you’ve still got a key doesn’t mean you can pop in unannounced. 24-hour notice is still the rule, unless something’s flooding.
Tenants talk. If they feel their privacy is being compromised or their safety isn’t taken seriously, expect complaints. Possibly a quick dash for the exit when the lease ends.
Southend’s seaside terraces? They’re charming but often come with old locks barely hanging on. Harlow’s modern flats? Multipoint locking systems that jam at the worst time. Basildon HMOs? Loose euro cylinders galore.
You get the picture. Different properties. Different weak points. All fixable, if you know where to look.
But it’s not just about fixing things when they break. It’s about spotting problems early. Before a tenant calls in a panic, or worse, the police do after a break-in.
You don’t need a locksmith on speed dial, but you should know when to pick up the phone:
Even better? Schedule a periodic check-in. Think of it like a boiler service, but for your locks.
At Around The Clock Locks, we don’t just swap locks and disappear. We upgrade the old, fix the failing, and spot the weak links before they let you down.
Our team has worked across many areas such as Hornchurch, Chelmsford, Brentwood, Southend, Basildon. You name it. We’ve seen everything from jammed deadbolts to doorframes held together with little more than wishful thinking. The goal’s always the same, to keep your property secure without overcomplicating it.
Need new locks that meet insurance standards? Preparing a property for a new tenant? We’ll sort the keys, test every lock, and give it the once-over.
If even one of these gave you pause, it might be time for a rethink.
Still relying on that crusty cylinder from 1992? Standards like BS3621 aren’t about box-ticking, they reflect what genuinely works against forced entry. If your property still relies on outdated or uncertified locks, you’re not just risking a claim rejection, you’re gambling with your tenant’s safety.
At Around The Clock Locks, we provide 24-hour assistance across Essex, from planned upgrades to those inconvenient emergencies. Whether it’s your first rental or your fiftieth, we’re here to make sure your locks are up to the task.
