Locksmith help in Watford

What is Watford's housing like?

Watford is a borough in its own right, and its homes span well over a century. Close to the town centre and in West Watford there are streets of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, many built as the town grew with the railway and local industry. Some of these streets are conservation areas, such as Estcourt, and Oxhey and Nascot also have conservation areas of their own.

To the west, Cassiobury has larger semi-detached and detached houses on tree-lined roads near Cassiobury Park. Further out there are big twentieth-century estates, in Garston within the borough and in Leavesden and South Oxhey just beyond it, which share Watford postcodes. Around the High Street and the stations there are many flats, both purpose-built and in converted houses, and a good number of houses in multiple occupation, which Watford Borough Council licenses and lists in a public register.

What lock problems are common in Watford homes?

• terraced houses with a timber front door opening straight on to the street, often with a night latch and an old mortice lock
• converted houses where each flat has its own door off a shared hall
• rooms in shared houses with their own locks
• uPVC and composite doors with older euro cylinders, which may not resist snapping
• back doors on to alleys behind terraces

I rent a room or a flat. Can I change my lock?

Check your tenancy agreement first. Many say you need the landlord's or agent's agreement before changing a lock, and in a shared house the landlord will usually need access to shared areas and may need keys for safety checks. If you are worried about who has a key, raise it with your landlord or agent. Shelter and Citizens Advice can explain your position if you are unsure. This is general information only.

I own a flat in a converted house. Who looks after which door?

Usually you are responsible for your own flat door, and the freeholder or managing agent for the shared front door and hallway. Your flat door may be a fire door, so check your lease before changing more than the cylinder.

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, and keep the crime reference number. In a shared house, tell the landlord or agent too, since a damaged front door affects everyone living there.

Are there rules about locks in shared houses?

Yes, for fire safety. Councils base their standards for houses in multiple occupation on national LACoRS fire safety guidance, which generally expects people to be able to get out without looking for a key. In practice that usually means a thumb-turn on the inside of each bedroom door and of the front door. If you are a landlord or agent with a licensed shared house in Watford, check the conditions of your HMO licence with Watford Borough Council before changing any lock. If you are a tenant in one, ask the landlord rather than fitting a lock yourself, because a lock that needs a key from the inside could break those rules.

What helps with a Watford enquiry?

• whether it is a house, a flat or a room in a shared house
• the door type and a photo of the lock
• your postcode and a phone number