Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2014 · 128 posts · 23 votes
I reside in my owner occupied duplex and rent out the other side. The back door has windows that, when broken, would allow access to the interior thumb latch deadbolt. Thus, someone wanting to break in could easily break a window and unlock the door.
My tenant brought this up as a concern and wanted a double cylinder lock installed, the type where you would need a key to unlock from both interior and exterior.
Seems reasonable. But when I thought about it more, I had concerns about safety and legality.
What does BP think about double cylinder locks on egress doors? I am also curoius about the legality in Denver, Colorado.
I don't believe there is any risk of legal or not. I failed a section 8 inspection because my tenant installed this style lock at the front door. If there is a fire only the person with the key can get out of that door. I would look at other options before installing a deadbolt keyed on both sides.
@Travis Sperr your comment is a bit contradictory. Sounds like there may be legal ramifications of having double cylinders, based on your Sec 8 experience?
Even if it was legal, I would refuse because that is a safety hazard. If there was a fire they would be trapped inside. Explain the safety concern and look for another solution to their security concern. One option may be smash proof window film. Ultimately it is not too difficult for someone to break in if they wanted to, so this is more about making your tenant feel safe.
@Mitch H. not allowed by Section 8 and not allowed by state law or illegal, are independent of one another. I do not see an issue with it being illegal (from whomever would enforce), I shared section 8 experience to give their stance on it from a safety standpoint.
If your tenant is worried about it, there are a lot of inexpensive items to consider as simple as a door chain to alarm devices that will connect to wifi, that can be armed remotely.
If your state requires a single keyed deadbolt by law then I have nothing to say so don't even read the rest of this. But if, like Texas it doesn't :
I always put double keyed deadbolts on doors that have windows. That is what I do on the house I live in so that is what I do on the ones I rent out also. I had one tenant request a single keyed lock on her back door that has a window instead of a double keyed one and I got my lawyer to write a lease addendum for her to sign so she can't hold me liable if somebody breaks in and steals all her stuff.
My normal lease states that if the house has any doors with windows (which I try to avoid and sometimes replace doors to avoid) the door(s) have double keyed locks and the tenants have been given an extra key to hide near the door in case of fire. It also says the tenants acknowledge that they are aware of this. It is in bold print and underlined and I make the tenants initial the lease right under that.
It's really not a fire hazard at all unless there are no windows in the room with the door. If it makes you feel better hang a small club on the wall that can be used to break the window in case of fire.
Putting a single keyed deadbolt on a door with a window is about as good as not putting a deadbolt on the door at all. Even leaving the key in a double keyed deadbolt all the time is better than putting a single keyed deadbolt because a potential burglar might not notice the key is in it.
While these are effective, most people don't like the look of prison bars around their home. That's why you usually only see this in low end neighborhoods where safety is a real concern, and there is a real chance of a break in.
If a thief wants to get it, they will. It doesn't matter what lock you have on there. They will find the weakest link.
If you are worried, Comcast offers an alarm, camera, cable phone, & internet bundle. My client just got this for $200 a month. Split with your tenant, it wouldn't be that bad price wise.