Yale* Nightlatch Repair and Replacement in West Sussex
Nightlatch playing up? ? Call Geoff on 07889325487


*Most people refer to these types of lock as a Yale lock so we will use the same term here but other common manufacturers are ERA, Union,Chubb, TSS and Zoo
A nightlatch is the lock most people call a Yale lock, the one fitted to the inside face of a wooden front door that locks automatically when you pull the door shut. They’re on millions of homes and they’re reliable, but like anything mechanical they wear out, stick, or jam.
Note that other types of ‘Nightlatch’ include deadbolts and rollerbolts -they look very similar but have different mechanisms. GRN can advise what you have and/or what is the best type for your door.
If yours is playing up, Geoff at GRN Locksmiths can repair or replace it. He covers all of West Sussex and into Hampshire, with no call-out fee and a clear price agreed before any work starts.
Here are the things people most often call about:
Some of these are quick repairs or adjustments. Others mean the latch is worn out and needs replacing. Geoff will tell you which before doing the work.
This one is worth knowing about, because it causes more callouts than you’d think.
Most nightlatches have a deadlocking feature. If you turn the key a full turn from the outside, it deadlocks the latch so it can’t be opened from the inside handle at all. Plenty of people do this by accident without realising, then can’t work out why the door won’t open from inside.
The complication is that on some doors you can still pull the door shut with enough force while it’s deadlocked. In a house that’s an annoyance. In a flat it’s potentially dangerous, because if there’s a fire you need to be able to get out fast.
If you live in a flat or share a communal entrance door, you should have a non dead-locking nightlatch, meaning you can always open it from the inside as it cannot be deadlocked from the outside with the key.
There are non deadlocking latches that conform to BS8621(British Standard for emergency exit hardware) and the common BS3621 security standard used on many doors.
Geoff can check what you’ve got and tell you whether it’s right for your property.
Not every nightlatch problem needs a new lock. A sticking latch is often down to the door dropping slightly, the keep being out of alignment, or the mechanism needing cleaning and lubricating. Those are straightforward fixes.
If the latch is worn out internally, or the lock is old and no longer up to standard, replacing it is the sensible option. Geoff will diagnose the actual problem and tell you honestly which one you’re dealing with. As a rough guide, a new nightlatch fitted starts from £100.
nIf your insurer has asked for a British Standard lock, or you simply want better security, it’s worth knowing that not all nightlatches are equal. Older basic ones offer fairly limited protection.
A British Standard nightlatch, kitemarked to BS3621, is a much stronger lock. It resists drilling, picking and bump attacks, has an anti-saw bolt, and deadlocks automatically when the door closes. Most insurers accept these on a wooden front door, but the most secure configuration on a wooden door is combination of a high security nightlatch and a mortice deadlock that are both BS3621 rated.
If you’re replacing your nightlatch anyway, upgrading to a British Standard one usually costs very little extra and makes a real difference. Geoff will explain the options without any hard sell.
Geoff will look at the lock, the door and the keep before doing anything, since nightlatch problems often come down to alignment rather than the lock itself. He’ll explain what’s actually wrong and confirm the price before starting.
He carries common nightlatches and parts in the van, so in most cases the job is done on the same visit. Before he leaves he’ll check the door opens, closes and locks smoothly, and that you’re happy with how it feels.
GRN Locksmiths covers a wide area across West Sussex and into Hampshire. Geoff is on the road most days and reaches a lot of towns and villages across the region.
In West Sussex this includes Bognor Regis, Chichester, Worthing, West Worthing, Littlehampton, Arundel, Selsey, Pagham, Angmering, Goring-by-Sea, Barnham, Aldwick, West Wittering, Bracklesham, Midhurst, Petworth, Storrington, and Pulborough.
In Hampshire, Geoff covers Emsworth, Havant, and Hayling Island.
Not sure if you’re covered? Call or WhatsApp Geoff on 07889325487 and he will let you know.
Geoff is DBS checked, Checkatrade verified, and has been repairing and replacing locks across West Sussex for years. He’s an independent, family-run business, which means you deal with the person doing the job from start to finish.
Bruce the Golden Retriever occasionally comes along for the ride too, if that helps.
No call-out fee. No VAT on labour. Price agreed before work starts. All work guaranteed.
It’s often the deadlocking feature. If the key was turned a full turn from outside, the latch deadlocks and the inside handle won’t release it. Geoff can sort it and explain how to avoid it happening again.
Call or WhatsApp Geoff on 07889325487 or use the contact form below.



























Locked out? We will get to you…fast! There’s no call-out fee and no fix no fee.
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
| cookielawinfo-checbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
| cookielawinfo-checbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
| viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
