Should one lock the front door of the apartment building?


If it comes again to a series of burglaries, often comes up the question: Should not complete the front door of a multi-family house better? In this article, you'll learn about the dangers of completing and what the legislation looks like on this topic.

The main problem: the fire protection

If it were only about the security against burglaries, we would recommend immediately: "Always close your front door, especially at night." Unfortunately, this is not so easy: For a simple locking the front door, which at the same time the first emergency route in most apartment buildings there are enormous risks in terms of fire safety. If a fire breaks out, most residents panic and may not be able to think of the front door key.

But not only panic, but also a slowdown in the rescue from the apartment building, which is particularly problematic in the case of smoke, argue against closing the front door. The legislator clearly foresees that the front door, if it represents the emergency route of the multi-family house, must be permanently openable from the inside, without a key.

Should one lock the front door of the apartment building?: door

The solution: outside to inside, inside out

For this "problem", however, there is a very easy solution that most people already know: a door for which you need a key from the outside, but which can be opened from the inside at any time. Such front doors are advantageous in two ways: Not only the fire protection, but also the burglary protection profits from this "system".

Because not only the safety in the event of a fire, but also the best possible protection against burglars is important: Most of them pay attention to as primitive protected houses as possible to break in as easily as possible. With a well-secured door, you not only give your tenants a sense of security, but also protect your property as much as possible.

Tips & Tricks

Tips & Tricks

On the Internet you will find many advices to improve the security of your apartment building. This not only includes a well-secured door, but also well-secured windows on the lower floors as well as the optimal protection of possible side or rear entrances.
Should one lock the front door of the apartment building?

FAQ - 💬

❓ Why is it important to lock the front door?

👉 Door locks are key to your home's security. They stop unwanted people from entering your home. With bad locks, you can be living happy and carefree when suddenly your home is broken into by a burglar. The quality of your entry door locks is crucial in preventing break-ins.

❓ How can I make my apartment safer?

👉 How to Make an Apartment More Secure

  1. Reinforce sliding doors. ...
  2. Be smart about leaving windows open. ...
  3. Meet your neighbors. ...
  4. Get creative with hiding spots. ...
  5. Use a fire-proof safe to protect valuables and documents. ...
  6. Close the curtains in your apartment. ...
  7. “Be home” even if you're not. ...
  8. Look into smart home safety.

❓ Can you put a deadbolt on an apartment door?

👉 Install a deadbolt lock if you don't already have one. Ideally, the door will have a lock of some kind on the knob or handle and a sturdy, secure deadbolt. Some apartments also have chain locks or top deadbolts for extra security.

❓ How do I secure my front door from burglars?

👉 4 Ways to Burglar-Proof Your Front Door

  1. Choose a Strong Door Material. Your front door is only as strong as the material it's made of, no matter how many deadbolts and other security devices you have. ...
  2. Strengthen the Door Frame. ...
  3. Use Secure Locks. ...
  4. Install Additional Security Measures to Burglar Proof Your Front Door.

❓ Is it safe to leave your front door unlocked?

👉 30 percent of all burglaries occur with the intruder entering through an unlocked door. That's a whopping 750,000 homes a year that could have bypassed intrusion—had homeowners made a point to lock up before leaving.

❓ Should I lock my front door at night?

👉 To Prevent Other Break-ins Leaving your door unlocked overnight can potentially give access to those wishing to do more than steal things. So, it's very important that you not only make sure your door is locked at night, but also adding some extra security to your door, such as a door chain.

❓ Why are top floor apartments more expensive?

👉 There are three reasons why top floor apartments are more expensive compared to lower floor apartments, and you can organize them into three categories: practicality, safety, and prestige.

❓ Are second floor apartments safer?

👉 Upstairs and downstairs units are safe when you stay in a secure complex. Many feel that an upstairs apartment is better from the perspective of burglaries. A thief is less likely to pass multiple tenants to reach the top floor and break in. They are also less likely to haul your goods down the stairs.

❓ What is the best lock for an apartment door?

👉 Top 5 apartment door locks

  • Defender Security Lock. : Best overall.
  • Addalock Portable Door Lock. : Best for convenience.
  • August Smart Lock. : Best for keyless entry.
  • Kwikset Single-Sided Deadbolt. : Best price.
  • Kwikset Single-Cylinder Traditional. : Best deadbolt.

❓ Can I put my own lock on my apartment door?

👉 Tenants typically need to ask for permission before changing the lock, but some states will not allow tenants to be penalized for changing them as long as the landlord is provided with an updated key. In New Jersey and California, for example, tenants have the right to change locks without giving a landlord a key.

❓ How do I prevent breaks in apartments?

👉 Protect your apartment from break-ins

  1. Get to know your neighbors and landlord. ...
  2. Add extra locks to your doors and windows. ...
  3. Install an apartment-friendly security system. ...
  4. Practice intercom security. ...
  5. Use a security checklist before signing the lease. ...
  6. Don't leave anything exposed on your property.

❓ What kind of lock do I need for my apartment door?

👉 Both the front and rear doors to the apartment must have a DEADBOLT LOCK. This can be a “vertical drop” type lock (see picture), or a saw-resistant horizontal bolt that projects at least one inch. If you are not sure what kind of locks you have, ask a locksmith.

❓ How to secure your apartment door?

👉 A quality lock is one of the best ways to secure your apartment, but it’s also important that the door is made of solid wood or metal and the door frame is in good condition. The door should have a wide angle peephole, and the area in front of your apartment door should be well lit if it’s outdoors.

❓ How do I lock the doors to the building?

👉 The front and rear entrance doors to the building should each have a DEADLOCKING LATCH (see picture), which automatically locks when you shut the door. From the outside, it can be opened only with a key.

❓ How do portable locks work for apartments?

👉 Portable locks work in tandem with your door’s primary lock. A portable lock, such as Addalock, can be installed or removed from your apartment door in less than one minute and no drilling is required. It’s made from chrome plated carbon steel and adjusts to doors of nearly any thickness.


Video Board: #1 Inexpensive Trick to Secure Your Front Door from Break-Ins