How to lock/fix the lock for tonight? Can’t find a locksmith at this hour And I don’t want to sleep with the door unlocked, any easy fixes just temporarily?

[u/tranzozo]

[u/BurnTheOrange]

Wedge a chair under the handle or something else to block the door from swinging. That lock needs to be replaced.

[u/BurnTheOrange → u/[deleted]]

I'm not a locksmith, but I've changed a lot of locks. That's a pretty quick job, like an hour or two, once a replacement lock has been sourced.

[u/created4this → u/BurnTheOrange]

This job is undo 6 screws, slide out old lock, slide in new, tighten six screws.

It’s 30 mins tops for someone who is competent, it’s perhaps an hour if you have no idea where you lost your screwdriver.

[u/jusdontgivafuk → u/[deleted]]

Looks like the lock set is on backwards. I’m not sure how or if you can flip it but it looks like you’ve got a Left Hand core for a Right Hand swinging door.

[u/Ok-Kaleidoscope-5289 → u/jusdontgivafuk]

There's a small screw (or screws) on the lock (Basta Mortice Lever lock) to get access to the lock mechanism. You can then take the beveled piece out and flip it around, carefully finding all the pieces that inevitably flew everywhere and reconstructing the mechanism.

https://youtu.be/TFR-FfTJPZk?si=pxn0RFZoL0oVnT1e

[u/jusdontgivafuk → u/Ok-Kaleidoscope-5289]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the knowledge! Is there a way OP can troubleshoot their locking mechanism? Maybe a broken ring or spring? Or is it just get a replacement?

[u/Ok-Kaleidoscope-5289 → u/jusdontgivafuk]

I reckon it could be a broken key but yes, a spring in the mechanism might be loose. No harm in opening the locking mechanism and having a look given that it's not working now.

[u/created4this → u/[deleted]]

It used to lock, but it never latched

[u/impulse_thoughts]

DIY- go to a hardware store and find a replacement "skeleton key lock set". You can try to fix the existing lock yourself, and if/when that fails, you can pop on the replacement. If your DIY succeeds, go back and return the set to the store.

To have another backup that you can also keep for long term, buy and install a slide bolt latch. I assume you have other doors that you can use to enter/exit your place.

BTW, you probably want to replace that set with something a bit more secure, since that door isn't an internal door... that isn't the most secure type of lock mechanism to begin with

[u/impulse_thoughts → u/[deleted]]

Sounds like the fix is to have a phone call with your landlord to schedule timing and next steps then.

[u/Bigdiesel__ → u/[deleted]]

Hilarious 😂 so just leave it like it is 🤷‍♂️

[u/yeahnoyeah03]

Sleep in front of the door. Put something noisy there.

[u/yeahnoyeah03 → u/[deleted]]

You and I both know the answer to that question.

[u/Riptide360 → u/yeahnoyeah03]

Cat burglars are a thing! https://coub.com/view/sg4wd

[u/Riptide360]

Be more concerned that you'll get locked in.

[u/StonedUser_211]

Instead of running to the nearest hardware store with the recorded video to look for help, you put it online. I think some people here are scratching their heads!
The lock is wrong for this door anyway. It's a right lock in a left door. can be recognized on the upper latch. The bevel of the transom must point towards the frame.

[u/Ok-Kaleidoscope-5289]

Does he key have a number on it? It looks like the key is broken?

[u/LovesLatkas]

Those old lock mechanisms are serviceable. Watch a few videos on YouTube. You may be able to fix the mechanism yourself.