Front Doors

[col56]

I would be grateful if people could give me their comments and thoughts about my front door.
I have an apartment in Carvoeiro which has a main door, then 3 separate apartments at the top of the stairs. Currently I have a normal door lock with opens with a key. I would like to change the lock and wondered, rather than just getting someone to put a new lock and handle on, whether I could change it to one of the key code doors i.e. keying in the code would open the door rather than inserting a key.
Does anyone have any thoughts about this, and also do you know anyone who would be able to do it for me.
Thanks for your help with this.

[shanagarry]

Would it be safe to assume that you rent the apartments?

If so have you considered the potential for people forgetting the code and then 'smashing' the key pad. At least with a key (should it be lost) - your agent can get another one cut at a fraction of the cost of an electronic keypad.

We look after a friend's property which has an electronic key pad at the gate - from the date it was fitted it has worked intermittently and when we went to look last weekend it wasn't working at all - and it wasn't cheap. We visit friends regularly and I notice their electronic entry system is not working either. I think they are an excellent facility but from those I know about, they become an expensive 'ornament'.

We are at the final stages of buying a property which has an 'all singing all dancing' alarm and entry system - which I have highlighted in the contract as I have never seen it work and on the occasions I ask for it to be demonstrated - the remote is somewhere else.

Sorry for being a 'wet blanket' but sometimes the technology and its purpose are distant relations - especially with something as crucial as this.

Do a lot of research my friend before you take that leap of faith

[col56]

Thanks for your response.
The sort of thing I am talking about is a keypad which, when the numbers are pressed, allows you to turn the knob on the door to open it. I don't think it is electronic (that would be too risky in terms of losing electricity and being locked out!). My sister has one on her house where she does B&B and it has worked well for several years without letting anyone down, so I think it is far less sophisticated than the ones you are desrcribing.
I only have friends that rent the apartment, so they would not bash the door down (hopefully!).
I just get fed up with continuously getting keys cut when they are mislaid. And now I am having to get a new lock put onthe door as the handle is difficult to turn and it is all bound up with the lock, I thought it would be a good opportunity to make the change!

[Michael Crane]

Is this what you are looking for? CLICK HERE

[col56]

Thanks MC - that is EXACTLY what I was talking about (and explaining very badly!)

Has anyone seen these in Portugal? Don't want to buy one over here in case it is not the "right" type for the door. Although I suppose I could always use it on my house in the UK.

[joanne]

We have them in work to the offices and staff room and they are always getting stuck, we have to keep having them changed they are a nightmare....sorry

[Farol]

If your tenants are always losing keys have you considered charging them for the lost keys - I'll lay bets this would reduce losses if they are told in advance. Treat it like any other item covered by your deposit.

[Michael Crane]

Good point, Farol. If you lose your hire car keys you have to replace them at your own expense unless specifically covered by your insurance.

[pato]

Good point, Farol. If you lose your hire car keys you have to replace them at your own expense unless specifically covered by your insurance.

Just smash the window and report they were stolen, that's what they do around here, we're on the ball y'know, and no! I don't mean the car window.