HOMELIFE

December 2023

As a responsible landlord, from time to time we have to get into the communal areas of buildings containing two or more homes to make sure that we can carry out essential inspections and works such as fire risk assessments, electrical safety inspections and asbestos testing.

In smaller buildings like this, such as houses containing a small number of flats, gaining entry can be difficult as we rely on residents being home to let us in, which in turn disturbs them.

To help tackle this problem, and keep the communal areas in these buildings safe, we have been working hard to change the locks on communal front doors on converted houses, to ‘suited locks’.

A suited lock can be opened by the individual keys provided to residents, but also by a master key, which will be securely held by L&Q. This type of lock is common on communal front doors, particularly those on houses that have been converted into flats and are managed by a housing association or other large landlord.

The new locks do not enable us to enter individual homes, only the communal areas we are responsible for.

By changing these locks, we hope to reduce disturbance to residents, and also make sure that communal areas meet relevant health and safety laws. So far, 1,531 locks have already been changed and feedback from residents has been positive. We have plans for all of the locks that need changing to be updated to suited locks by summer 2024. Locks are being installed in phases, by region.

If you think your building qualifies for a suited lock and doesn't yet have one, you can find out when yours will be installed by emailing our Fire Safety team.


Robin Nower, Director of Building Compliance, said:

"Your safety and welfare is our number one priority. The suited locks are installed to a very high standard and provide high levels of security.

"The installation of suited locks has allowed us to raise our compliance with health and safety law to the highest levels ever, meaning that you’re even safer in your home."