Flat communal stair lighting breaker box key

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u0362565

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #1

Hi all,

Does anyone know where I can find a key that would fit a lock like that shown in the attached image? This sort of 2 prong lock is on an electrical cabinet in our communal stair and houses the circuit breakers for the lights. I want to cut the relevant circuit so I can change the fluorescent tubes. I'm assuming this is a very simple lock and thought it would be easy to find these keys but struggling.

Thanks

 

T

The Ghost

• Nov 15, 2017

• #2

You can only get the key from the landlord or maintenance company. But they put it there for a reason, so that tenants don't go in there and fiddle about I imagine. So you don't have a consumer unit in your flat? Ah just seen you are talking of the communal area. Naughty naughty!

 

Last edited by a moderator: Nov 15, 2017

KEV 1 N

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #3

Super master key.....

 

OP

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #4

Seems like a straightforward job but would feel more comfortable if I could isolate the fitting. Council no longer wants to do it and why pay an electrician £40+ to change a light bulb.

 

KEV 1 N

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #5

Council eh? Be better off telling them there is burning around the light and your worried it will catch fire.......see how quick they respond then!

 

rsgaz

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #6

u0362565 said:

I'm assuming this is a very simple lock

Click to expand...

It is not a standard key, like 'control cabinet keys' are. Look at the differing depths of the milled away material around the round part of the key...

 

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #7

This was a picture I pulled from the internet as the lock looks similar in that it has the straight grooves at 12 and 3 but I don't know if the key would be milled like this. If the council will no longer take care of the lights who's got the keys!? Thats why I thought it must be a simple lock.

 

Wilko

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #8

u0362565 said:

Seems like a straightforward job but would feel more comfortable if I could isolate the fitting. Council no longer wants to do it and why pay an electrician £40+ to change a light bulb.

Click to expand...

Question is - do you have the natty vest ?

 

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #9

You put bulbs in the garden!

 

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #10

Ha ha surely the council would approve me to do this if I had the vest
Below is what the council say on the matter, copied from their website:
"Where can owners obtain security drivers/keys to access the stair lighting installation?
For Health and Safety reasons the Council cannot advise owners where to purchase the security drivers/keys to access the stair lighting installation. However a reputable Electrical Contractor will know where to obtain these security drivers/keys. "

Any electrical contractors out there know? Unless we're unfortunate and get a particularly secure box

 

T

The Ghost

• Nov 15, 2017

• #11

If it is a council flat the communal area is the responsibility of the council. If you do the work and something goes wrong you are liable. They can not deny responsibility for the communal area. TBH if I had a key I would not give it to you as I would worry you may harm yourself or others.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Nov 15, 2017

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #12

it isn't a council flat, its a private block. Council's suggestion is get in an electrician, but presumably they would change the tubes without cutting the power then as they wouldn't have a key.

 

T

The Ghost

• Nov 15, 2017

• #13

So there is a management company then?

 

snowhead

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #14

If it's a Private block of flats, even if it's managed on behalf of the Council there must be a Management company.
They are the ones who get the Annual service charge that every occupant is liable for.
The Service charge pays for maintenance of Communal areas including lighting, amost other things.

 

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• Nov 15, 2017

• #15

We don't pay a maintenance fee, owners are responsible for the communal areas. The only thing we pay is for stair cleaning but that's because an owner could be bothered to set this up. If there are any issues we get in the relevant trademan. This is scotland by the way perhaps things are different in England in flats.