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On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 6:38:38 PM UTC+1, tim..... wrote:
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On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 5:16:25 PM UTC+1, tim..... wrote:

Just moved into my new flat.

It has DPS "High Security" locks which are (presumably) un-pickable.

However, I have one key which own both the communal front door and my
own
flat's door.

I guessing that means that I can't change the cylinder and get a batch
of
new keys as they then wont be able to open the front door (unless that
is,
there's only one common door keying).

So I'm stuck with having to hope that previous tenants haven't kept a
key
(Or worse, given one to their friends).

There are systems which allow the front door to be opened by a
multiplicity of different keys, but they can be complicated. The
locksmith
who fitted the locks in the first place may be able to produce a new
pinning for the cylinder which still opens the front door - though
often
these things are ordered as a complete suite of locks requiring you to
go
back to the manufacturer armed with permissions signed by anyone who
might
have an interest and then pay an arm and a leg...
I think I'd just give up on the convenience of having the same key for
both doors unless it's something that's ruled out by the tenancy
agreement.

I own it on a long lease. I think that I can tell the freeholder where
to
go if he tries to make up rules about my door locks where the change
affects
no-one else.

Though you are right about the restrictions where it does.

Ah, right - I was misled by the reference to previous tenants. If you
meant that the previous owner had been renting the flat out that just
gives one more possibility for someone to have retained a key, and I'd
certainly want to change the lock or the cylinder.
Some of the higher security systems require you to have a card with a code
that is used to cut the key - you can't cut the key just from another key.
This does make it easier to control duplication, but since you didn't
mention a card I'm assuming that isn't the case here. In any case it still
doesn't necessarily solve the problem of former owners or tenants
retaining a legitimately acquired key.

Since starting this I have checked with the company who are authorised to
make copies and their website tells me that they require a letter of
authorisation to prove that I am entitled to ask for a copy.

It doesn't say how I find out who is the authorised person that provides the
letter (nor how they keep their records up-to-date when that person
changes - which in this case of this property it almost certainly has, not
necessarily to someone who knows that they have this responsibility)