Locks, latches and doors in a Ballarat rental
What the locks standard requires, and the door and hardware faults we find on older Ballarat area houses before they are let.
In short: External doors must be able to be secured, and in older houses the hardware has often seen better days.
What the standard says
External entry doors must have a functioning deadlock, or a lock that can be opened from inside without a key and secured from outside with one. Windows that open must be able to be secured.
What we find
Strike plates out of line so a door will not latch, damaged handles and doors that bind in their frames. On older homes, timber doors swell in wet weather and stick.
Why fix before listing
Since 25 November 2025 a property must already meet the standards when advertised. A door that will not lock is an easy fail.
Inside doors too
Internal doors are not part of the locks standard, but sticking or damaged ones often show the same movement or moisture issues worth noting.
How we record it
Each door is tried by hand and photographed where it fails, so a locksmith or carpenter can go straight to it.
Beyond locks
The same visit covers the other 14 standards, from window coverings to vermin proof bins.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Ballarat. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
