What is housing like in Borehamwood?

Borehamwood changed hugely after the Second World War. Large estates of council housing were built for families moving out of London, and the town grew from a village into a busy suburb. Many of those houses and maisonettes have since been bought by their occupiers. Since then, new estates and blocks of flats have been added, some on land once used by the film industry. Part of the old MGM studios site, for example, is now housing.

The town is still known for its studios. Elstree Studios and the BBC Elstree Centre on Clarendon Road both sit in Borehamwood, and many people who live here work in film and television, sometimes with long or irregular hours. Borehamwood is in Hertsmere.

What lock problems are common on estates like these?

front doors on ex-council houses that were replaced with uPVC or composite doors decades ago, often with older euro cylinders
multipoint mechanisms that have become stiff as doors drop on their hinges
back doors opening on to shared paths and alleyways
maisonettes with doors on landings or walkways
garages in separate blocks, with their own locks

I live in a flat. Who do I ask?

In many blocks the front door of each flat is a fire door, and the lease may say what you can change. Swapping the cylinder for new keys is usually fine, but check with your freeholder or managing agent before fitting a different lock body or door furniture. The main entrance door and its entry system are normally looked after by the freeholder or managing agent.

If you rent, from a private landlord or a housing association, look at what your tenancy agreement says before changing any lock. Many require you to ask first.

What if I am locked out after a late shift?

Check for a spare key with a neighbour or relative first, and do not try to climb in. If anyone is in danger inside, call 999. Otherwise send an enquiry, saying what kind of door and lock you have. With consent, it goes to a locksmith working in WD6, if one does, though we cannot say how soon they could come.

What should I do after a break-in?

Call 999 if it is happening now. Once it is over, report it to Hertfordshire Constabulary on 101 or online, keep your crime reference number and photograph the damage before anything is repaired.

What about Elstree village?

Elstree is a separate and much older village on Watling Street, to the south-west of Borehamwood, and it shares the WD6 postcode. Most of the village is a conservation area, first designated in 1976, and Hertsmere Borough Council has made an Article 4 Direction there. That means some outside changes to houses in the village that would not normally need planning permission do need it, so check with the council before a front door is replaced. Several buildings in the village are listed as well. Changing the lock inside an existing door is not normally affected, but say in your enquiry if your house is listed or in the conservation area.

What helps with a Borehamwood enquiry?

whether you own, rent or lease
the door type and a photo of the lock
your WD6 postcode and a phone number

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local locksmith, if one covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies. If nobody covers your postcode, we will tell you and will not pass your details on.