What lock should I get for my room? (College Student)

[lilfleck]

Hi there,

I searched around the FAQ section, but I feel like my case is a slight bit different. I am a college student living in an apartment. My room door has a lock, however, my roommate just showed me how he can break into it, and that worries me just a little bit. My real estate company just said that I am not allowed to change the locks inside the apartment because they need to be able to have full access to everything, blah blah blah.

I was thinking maybe getting one of those locks with the sliding lock. I know it's definitely not the strongest, but I just want something that will keep the door closed in case my roommate or someone else wants to break in while I'm here. I would love to change the lock altogether over winter break, however, the maintenance people would most likely notice, and I can't afford a fee like that ($200+).

Any ideas? Thanks!

[lilfleck]

Here are pictures of my current lock:





Pretty sure my roommate was able to get in with just a paper clip.

[lunchb0x]

yes he would of been able to get in woth just a paper clip, that lock offers no security at all, if it where me and they told me that they wouldn't change the lock, I would do it anyway and keep the old one so when you leave you can put it back on, if you do that give the estate agent a key so they can get in.

If you do decide to change it first talk to the estate agent and let them know what you want to do, there is no point changing the lock if they are going to kick you out for doing so.

[lilfleck]

I tried. They said they have to have it so that there is only one master lock to all areas in the complex. It's crap to be honest. The maintenance guy comes in here every now and then to do "checks." Otherwise I would just have it replaced until I move out. I think a sliding lock may be the only solution

[lunchb0x]

Its kind of piontless having a slide lock (barrel bolt) which you can only lock from the inside? the risk of someone breaking in when your in your room is pretty small.

Because of that type of lock I'm assuming that there is a main entry door into where your room is, with maybe a couple of rooms it there so only the people getting into your room would be ones with a key for that door, how many people have access? can you trust them?

Maybe talk to the maintenance guy, he might have a solution, also find out if they cover any theft of your stuff, if they wont let you lock your door they should at least be held liable for anything stolen.

[lilfleck]

Well the landlords aren't very accommodating. How do you pick this lock? Just curious..

[lunchb0x]

you don't pick it, you stick something in the hole on the outside knob to unlock it which is why your friend could get in with a paper clip

[raimundo]

Bathroom door locks are made with small holes on the outside knob. This is so anyone who can push a small tool into the lock can get in. The concept is for seniors who may fall and be in distress, or children who are trying to get away from a maddened parent can be gotten to.

You have a bathroom door lock on your room. Go and look at the bathroom, if its lock is not the same, you could switch the two, since the landlord obviously hired cheap labor to install the locks and they didn't know what a bathroom door lock was.

[raimundo]

One more thing, if your landlord is using these locks on individually rented rooms, hes probably in violation of the local code. A rental housing inspector could tell you, give them a call. You cant rent private rooms with these locks legally in most places. The landlord may have done it for cheap or for easy access, both are wrong reasons if you are renting a living space to someone.

[jpb06080]

You could offer to pay for a rekey/master to you're landlords master key. What is the keyway on you're front door? Figure that out and buy a locking knob with the same keyway. Than offer to pay for the cost of the rekey. That way you're landlord will still have full access, while you'll have a more secure room.

[barbarian]

...... They said they have to have it so that there is only one master lock to all areas in the complex......

So somewhere there is a whole complex that is like this ?? I bet the "master" key looks a lot like a piece of coat hangar three inches long.

Ohh that is so bad. There must be a law against that.

[globallockytoo]

If you're trying to secure your door when you're not there, you may not be allowed to install anything new or even auxiliary.

But if you want to stop someone with a master key from entering while you are in the room, there are devices designed that are very efficient, secure and portable. No fitting required.

[le.nutzman]

Well the landlords aren't very accommodating. How do you pick this lock? Just curious..

First off, I wouldn't tell you how to pick a lock that you don't own and that is currently in use. Secondly, are you currently living in some college approved residence? If so, and they have these type of locks, i'd be saying something to the resident manager(s).

If you can replace this lock, i'd at least look at something along the lines of a sclage or best SFIC that could quite possibly be a direct replacement for your existing KIK. Also, to make this more legit for your land owners, pay for it yourself and provide them with 1 copy and leave a copy with the store that does the change out, that way you can't say you did it covertly or with bad intentions, and if they (your landowners) lose the key, at least the store still has a copy. At least you're keeping all your bases covered. Just my suggestion.

[raimundo]

Whats Global talking about, a lockout plug, made from an old key, works like a broken off key, but made to be removable? Or has he got some other ideas? I'd love to hear them.

[yoyoboy]

Lots of chewing gum