Apartment Security: Practical Lock Upgrades for Units

Apartments feel secure because they are surrounded by other homes, a building entry and often a lift that needs a fob. That shared protection is real, but it is not the whole picture. Most unit break-ins happen through the unit's own door or a ground-floor or balcony opening, and many of them take advantage of weak locks, old keys still in circulation, or doors simply left on the latch.

This guide covers practical lock upgrades for units and apartments in Lidcombe, Auburn, Homebush and nearby suburbs, from the most important to the least, with an eye on what strata buildings allow.

Before changing anything on an entry door, check whether it is lot property or common property and whether it is a fire door. Our guide to strata lock rules in NSW explains why.

Start with the keys

The cheapest security improvement in a unit is often not a new lock at all. It is making sure the existing keys are under control.

Units change hands often. Previous owners, tenants, agents, cleaners, removalists and tradespeople may all have had keys. If you do not know how many copies exist, assume there are more than you think.

Rekeying the entry door and screen means every old key stops working, while the lock stays the same. It is quick and usually cheaper than new hardware. See lock rekeying.

The unit entry door

Check what you have

Most unit doors have one of these:

• a lever set with a key in the lever, which is a basic latch;
• a deadlatch, which locks when the door closes;
• a separate deadbolt above the handle;
• a combined entrance set that does both.

A door with only a basic latch or a key-in-lever set is the weakest arrangement. These can sometimes be slipped or forced more easily than a deadbolt.

Add or upgrade a deadbolt

A single-cylinder deadbolt, with a key outside and a thumb turn inside, adds a solid bolt that cannot be slipped. If the strata allows it and the door is suitable, this is one of the best upgrades available. See door lock installation.

If the door is a fire door, the hardware must suit the door's fire rating, and the owners corporation may need to approve it.

Reinforce the strike

The strike plate on the frame is where the bolt sits. In many buildings it is held by short screws. A longer screw into the frame, or a reinforced strike, makes the door much harder to force. It is a small job with a big effect.

Fix the alignment

If you have to pull or push the door to lock it, the bolt is not seating properly. A misaligned bolt may not throw fully, and a partly thrown bolt is easy to force. See lock repair.

Security screen doors

A security screen gives you ventilation with the main door open, and adds another barrier when both are locked. Points to check:

• Is the screen lock working smoothly? Screen locks are exposed to weather and dust and often get stiff.
• Is it keyed to match the main door? Two keys for one entry is a nuisance. Many screen locks can be rekeyed to match.
• Is the frame solid? A strong screen in a loose frame is not much use.

Check the strata by-laws before fitting a new screen.

Balcony sliding doors

Ground-floor and first-floor balconies, and balconies that can be reached from a neighbouring balcony or a podium, are common entry points.

Many sliding doors rely on a small hook latch that can sometimes be lifted from outside. Useful upgrades include:

• a keyed sliding door lock that bolts the door to the frame;
• a secondary bolt at the top or bottom of the door;
• an anti-lift block that stops the door being lifted off its track.

These are usually simple to fit and do not change the look of the building.

Windows

Ground-floor windows and windows near balconies or walkways are worth securing. Keyed window locks and restrictors are common, but in strata buildings windows may be common property and window safety rules apply. Check with the strata manager first, then see our window locks page.

Habits that matter as much as hardware

• Lock the deadbolt when you go out, not just the latch.
• Do not prop open building doors for deliveries or visitors.
• Do not let strangers follow you in through the building entry.
• Keep spare keys away from your letterbox and doormat.
• Do not label keys with your unit number.

Upgrades we generally do not recommend in units

• Double-cylinder deadbolts that need a key inside. In a unit, being able to get out quickly in a fire matters, and a key-only exit can trap people.
• Bolts or chains that cannot be opened from outside in an emergency, unless you understand the trade-off.
• Any change to a fire door that has not been checked against its requirements.

Renters

If you rent, talk to your landlord or agent before changing locks. Many will agree to sensible improvements such as rekeying or a sliding door lock, especially if you offer to share the cost. See our NSW landlord and tenant lock rules.

A priority list

If you can only do a few things, this order suits most units:

1. Rekey the entry door and screen if you do not know who has keys.
2. Fix any lock that does not operate smoothly.
3. Add a deadbolt to a door that only has a latch, if allowed.
4. Reinforce the entry door strike.
5. Secure the balcony slider.
6. Fit window locks to reachable windows, if allowed.

Our security locksmith service starts with a walk-through and gives you this kind of prioritised list, priced item by item.

Talk to us

We work on units across Lidcombe, Auburn, Berala, Regents Park, Homebush and Strathfield. Call 02 4503 6922 and tell us about your door, screen and balcony. We are open 7 days, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM. You can also send photos to [email protected] or request a quote.