New locks

Tony

Without knowing the specific locks it is not easy to say that they can be swapped out for locks purchased in the UK, however, my experience so far is that they are different. (I obviously haven't come across all lock types)

There are ferreteria's (DIY / Hardware shops) that you can typically turn up with your actual lock and be provided with an equivalent new lock. I have seen prices vary between 20€ and 75€ per lock but the higher costs I have noted are in the more tourist locations where I was seen as easy prey because I was English. I only made that mistake once!

Apologies that the response is vague but it will actually be a case of you / someone taking the lock for a replacement, even a photograph is on dodgy ground as the hole pitch varies also even for similar type locks.

In a lot of case removal of a lock barrel is simple. Open the door and locate the barrel fixing screw, remove that screw. Insert the key and partially turn it and the barrels simply slips out or may need a nudge to help! There is the obvious security issue if there is no one in the property and you have removed all the locking barrels!

Hope it helps!

Thank you. Sound advice. I should wait until I'm there. I have changed locks in the UK so know it's not a difficult job.

I can safely say that the locks differ. Before moving here, we lived just over the border in France.  We had great fun getting extra keys cut for our locks, some were French, some were Spanish. It is apparently impossible to have the other country ‘s keys cut, as the blanks, even Yale type are different, and the U.K. different again.  I could recommend a locksmith we’ve used here in Spain, but have mislaid his details. If you private message Alavib, he may have the details

Thank you for the info it's most helpful

Thank you. I thought as much. A good locksmith will do the trick

Hi Tony

I picked this up from the forum last year sometime, maybe you could try an email to enquire if he is still in business ? Or maybe others could confirm this ? The links still work.

David Beck always gets very good reviews:

Website: http://www.lockandkeyspain.com/ 

Phone: (0034) 620 627 640.

Email:  info@lockandkeyspain.com

Thank you, much appreciated info. I'll give it a try

Hi, 

I work in sucurity, and my advise is always change locks. I hear it all the time, but they can also use bumping keys, it's like a master key. So no proof of break-in. 

Also Torrevieja is a place of many squatters so an alarm is not a bad thing and often for new home owners for free

Let me know if you wanna know more)