The period between one tenant leaving and another moving in is an ideal time to inspect the security of a rental property. Previous tenants, contractors or cleaners may still have copies of the keys, while worn locks and poorly aligned doors can be overlooked during a general property inspection.
Gosforth Locksmith Service helps landlords and letting agents assess and improve security at rental properties across Wallsend. From changing locks and supplying new keys to repairing uPVC mechanisms, a few practical checks can make the property safer and reduce the risk of problems during the next tenancy.
Complete a Security Inspection Before the New Tenant Arrives
Start by checking every possible entrance, including the front door, back door, patio doors, communal entrances, garages and accessible windows. Confirm that each door closes properly, every lock engages, and the keys turn without needing excessive pressure. A stiff handle or difficult key may indicate wear or door misalignment rather than a minor inconvenience.
Landlords should also look for damage around frames, handles, hinges and letterboxes. A strong lock cannot provide effective protection when the surrounding door or frame is loose or damaged. If a property has experienced an attempted break-in, the full entrance should be checked rather than replacing only the most visibly damaged component.
Gosforth Locksmith Service can inspect different lock types and explain whether repair, adjustment or replacement is appropriate. Our Wallsend locksmith service covers traditional timber doors, uPVC doors, composite doors, patio doors and garage locks across the NE28 area.
Consider Changing Locks When Keys Are Unaccounted For
Landlords are not automatically required to replace every lock whenever a tenancy ends. However, changing the locks is sensible if keys have been lost, additional copies may exist, or the full set has not been returned. There is no reliable way to know how many copies were made during a previous tenancy.
A replacement cylinder can often restore key control without requiring a completely new door or locking mechanism. The incoming tenant should receive the correct number of clearly labelled keys, while the landlord or managing agent records who holds any authorised spare sets. Our door lock replacement service can help landlords choose an appropriate solution.
Repair Stiff or Damaged Locks Before They Fail
A change of tenancy can reveal faults that were never reported. Warning signs include a handle that must be lifted forcefully, a key that sticks, a loose cylinder, or a door that must be pushed against the frame before it will lock. These problems can quickly lead to a lockout or make the property difficult to secure.
Many uPVC and composite door problems are caused by alignment issues or wear inside the multipoint mechanism. Acting early may allow the affected component to be repaired instead of replacing the entire system. Professional uPVC door and window lock repairs can restore smooth operation before the next tenant moves in.
What Should Be Included in a Between-Tenancy Security Check?
A security inspection should cover more than the main front door. Landlords should work methodically around the property and record any repairs or changes that are needed. This creates a useful maintenance record and makes it easier to show the condition of the locks at the beginning of the tenancy.
Check the following areas:
- Front, rear and side entrance locks
- Patio, French and bi-fold door mechanisms
- Accessible window locks and handles
- Garage doors, sheds and other outbuildings
- Door frames, hinges, handles and letterboxes
- Communal entrances and shared access points
- The number of keys returned by the previous tenant
- Any key safes and their access codes
- Locks mentioned in the property’s insurance policy
- Escape doors and internal release mechanisms
Photographing the doors and recording the keys supplied can support the property inventory. If a fault is discovered, arrange the repair before handing over the keys rather than expecting the new tenant to manage a problem immediately after moving in.
Do Rental Property Locks Need to Meet a British Standard?
Requirements depend on the door, the insurance policy and, where relevant, licensing or fire-safety arrangements. Timber entrance doors may use locks conforming to BS3621, while uPVC and composite doors usually have key-operated multipoint locking systems. A British Standard Kitemark may be visible on a compliant mortice lock or nightlatch.
Landlords should check the wording of their insurance documents rather than assuming that every secure-looking lock is covered. Providers can set different conditions, and inaccurate information may affect a claim. Higher-security cylinders and security lock upgrades may also help protect uPVC and composite doors against forced-entry methods.
Can Landlords Keep a Spare Key to the Property?
A landlord may retain a spare key for legitimate reasons, but this does not provide unrestricted access while a tenant occupies the property. Tenants have the right to live in the home undisturbed. Government guidance on private renting states that landlords should normally give at least 24 hours’ notice and visit at a reasonable time when inspecting the property or carrying out repairs, except in an emergency.
Any spare keys should be stored securely and only made available to authorised people. Landlords should avoid attaching the full property address to a key ring. If contractors need temporary access, keep a record of who received the key and confirm that it has been returned once the work is complete.
For A Wallsend Locksmith, Contact Gosforth Locksmith Service Today
If you manage a rental property in Wallsend, Gosforth Locksmith Service can inspect existing locks, repair faulty mechanisms, change locks and provide new keys before the next tenancy begins. Contact us for clear advice and a no-obligation quote from a local locksmith serving Wallsend and the surrounding areas.
