Lock replacement · Hove
Changing Door Locks in Hove
Moved home, lost keys or living with a worn lock in Hove? A lock change should fit your door, work smoothly and stop old keys working. Here is how to choose the right approach.
Why people change locks in Hove
- Moving in. You rarely know how many keys previous occupants, tradespeople or agents still have.
- Lost or stolen keys – especially if they could be linked to your address.
- Worn or damaged locks that stick, catch or have been forced.
- Old or non-standard locks on older doors that no longer meet the household's needs.
Changing locks on Hove properties
Before changing the lock on a Hove flat door, check your lease or building rules; some buildings require particular hardware or notice to the managing agent.
Close to the seafront you are likely to find original or replacement timber street doors with communal locks, and separate flat doors behind them. Further north, timber, uPVC and composite front doors are all common.
Converted Victorian and Regency buildings often have a street door controlled by the freeholder or managing agent and individual flat doors that may be fire doors, which affects what can be changed and by whom.
Lock changes are worth considering after moving into a property or losing control of an existing set of keys. We can review the current hardware and discuss replacement cylinders, mortice locks, night latches and suitable alternatives. The replacement should fit correctly, operate reliably and suit the property.
Matching the new lock to your door
The right replacement depends on what is already fitted. Here is how common door types in Hove usually work:
| Door | Usual lock | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Timber front door | Mortice deadlock and/or rim night latch | Common on older homes in Hove. Replacements must suit the existing cut-out and door thickness. |
| uPVC or composite door | Euro cylinder operating a multipoint mechanism | Often only the cylinder needs changing. It must be measured so it does not project too far. |
| Flat entrance door | Varies – latch, mortice or euro cylinder | Often a fire door; hardware must be compatible and building rules may apply. |
| Back, side or patio door | Euro cylinder, mortice or sliding-door lock | Often overlooked when a property changes hands. |
If your home insurance specifies a type of lock – policies often refer to British Standard BS 3621 for mortice locks on timber doors – check the wording before choosing a replacement. We can explain what is fitted, but the policy wording is what counts.
Permissions to check first
- Renting: check your tenancy agreement – permission from the landlord is usually needed.
- Flats and managed buildings: leases and building rules in Hove can restrict changes to entrance doors, and communal locks belong to the freeholder or managing agent. Flat entrance doors are often fire doors, so replacement hardware must be compatible.
- Owner-occupied homes: no permission is usually needed, but think about every external door, not just the front.
Cylinder change or full lock replacement?
- Cylinder only. On most uPVC and composite doors, changing the euro cylinder is enough to stop old keys working. It is usually the quickest and least expensive option.
- Whole lock. Needed when the mechanism itself is worn or damaged, or when a mortice lock or night latch needs replacing.
- Keyed alike. Several cylinders can sometimes be supplied to work with one key. Ask about this if you are changing more than one door.
- Finish and materials. On doors exposed to sea air, ask about finishes and materials that cope better with the conditions near the coast in Hove.
About our lock change service in Hove
Hove's housing runs from Regency and Victorian terraces, squares and crescents near the seafront – many of them divided into flats – to Edwardian and inter-war family houses further north towards Hove Park.
Hove is within the city of Brighton & Hove, in our core service area. We are a service-area business and do not have an office or premises in Hove; we travel to customers from the Brighton area.
Nearby, we also take enquiries from Aldrington, Hove Park, West Blatchington, Seven Dials and Portslade. For an overview of everything we do here, see locksmith services in Hove.
Lock change costs
- Cylinder replacement – quoted by specification; varies by cylinder.
- Mortice lock replacement – quoted by lock and fitting; varies by installation.
- Night latch replacement – quoted by model; varies by hardware.
- Multiple lock changes – itemised quotation; depends on quantity.
We explain how the charge is worked out before any work starts. See the lock change page for the full pricing guide.
We confirm availability for your exact address when you call, rather than quoting a fixed arrival time.
Lock Change questions
How do I know which cylinder size I need?
Euro cylinders come in different lengths for each side of the door. They are measured from the fixing screw, so it is best to have them measured rather than guess – an over-long cylinder can be easier to attack.
Can you change all the locks on a house in Hove in one visit?
Often, if the parts are available. Tell us how many doors and which types of lock when you call so we can plan the visit and give an itemised quote.
Do I need to change the lock or just the cylinder?
If the mechanism works well and the concern is who has keys, a cylinder change is often enough on uPVC and composite doors. Timber doors with mortice locks or night latches may need the lock itself replaced.
Can I change the lock on my flat door?
Usually, for your own front door, but check your lease or tenancy and any building rules first. If the door is a fire door, the replacement hardware must be compatible with it.