What type of lock is this?

[Squelchtone]

I'm house sitting for a friend of mine while she's on holiday. Truthfully, she's being nice enough to let me stay in her home and take care of it while she's away, but tomaytos, tomahtos . She said I could use her shed/garage/storage unit (not really sure what to call it as it looks like it used to be a garage but the garage door portion has been sealed up) to store my bicycle. I didn't think I'd need to, but seeing as it's been raining non-stop the last few days and there's not really a dry place to store my bike other than just dragging it into the house, the idea of storing it in the shed is becoming more and more appealing. I just phoned my friend yesterday and she insisted the key to the shed is somewhere in the house, but I'm not even sure what to look for. She rarely uses it either so she wasn't a huge help describing it other than saying, "It just looks like a key" and then "Just pick it or something. I don't think it's heavy duty or anything." Friends, can't live with them, can't live without them....

Anyways, I'll be here for almost 3 months so I'd love access to the shed if possible. I've attached a picture of the lock if anyone knows what the sort of key would look like. I may try to call out a locksmith and see if he can figure out the manufacturer (another thing my friend had no clue as to the answer) and see if I can get a spare or replacement.

https://imgur.com/gallery/GbQsr

[JGSummers]

Two things I forgot to add:
1) the picture is at the very end of my last post. There should be a link to click on.
2) I would like to avoid picking the lock if at all possible. I don't have any experience (I'm a first time user on this site) and I also don't want to freak out any of my temporary neighbors

[tjohn]

You just need to locate a locksmith that can open & make key for a standard tubular lock without drilling. Make sure & specify that (even if you don't need a key) If you don't talk to someone who will quickly and confidently say "yes we do" and "you will need to provide us proof you are allowed to do so" DO NOT HIRE THEM.
While the price will range you shouldn't have to pay more than around $200 (on the higher end) for this service and the locksmith should be able to give you a min/max range of cost (it really varies based on your location and how temperamental the lock is)
In this instance we would probably have the homeowner take a pic of her ID with address sitting on top of a note allowing you this service and email it in for "proof" needed.

[tjohn]

Also just to note, this lock looks like it will pop out when unlocked (the whole handle will) and then stay unlocked until you push/snap the handle back in, so you would have to be careful not to push it back in. When the handle is open it likely turns a quarter turn left or right to open/close door.
So, key wouldn't be needed most likely after unlocked.
You are looking for a short hollow key by the way possible brass or with a plastic head

[Squelchtone]

the pic link doesnt work, could you verify it is correct?

[tjohn]

worked for me Squelch

[Moses057]

Here's the pic link from the first post


You'll need a key that looks something like these