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Rim Lock
in South London

Rim lock fitting and repair for period properties and modern doors across South London. We supply, fit, and repair rim locks for period properties and modern doors alike. Rim nightlatches, rim deadlocks, and traditional ornamental rim locks — surface-mounted for doors that cannot be morticed.

DBS Checked Locksmith No Call-Out Fee Period Property Specialist Fixed Prices
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Rim Lock CostsAvailable Now
Rim Lock Replacementfrom £89
Rim Cylinder Changefrom £89
Emergency Lockoutfrom £69
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Fixed prices · No VAT · No call-out fee

Google Rated 5.0 DBS Checked 30-Min Response Fixed Prices · No VAT Workmanship Guarantee
DBS Verified & Fully Insured  •  5.0 Google Rating  •  30-Minute Response  •  Period Property Specialists  •  Residential & Commercial  •  No Hidden Fees  •  DBS Verified & Fully Insured  •  5.0 Google Rating  •  30-Minute Response  •  Period Property Specialists  •  Residential & Commercial  •  No Hidden Fees

What Is a Rim Lock?

A rim lock is any lock that sits on the inner surface of your door rather than being cut into the door edge. The lock body is visible on the inside, with a cylinder or keyhole poking through to the outside and a keep plate (staple) screwed to the door frame. The most familiar rim lock is the night latch — the spring-loaded latch that clicks shut when you close the door. But rim locks also come as deadlocks, sashlocks, and ornamental period locks.

The reason rim locks still exist alongside mortice locks is simple: not every door can be morticed. Victorian and Edwardian doors across South London — in Dulwich, Crystal Palace, Clapham, Brixton, and the older streets of Croydon — often have frames that are too narrow or timber that is too aged to safely cut a deep mortice pocket. A rim lock bolts onto the surface without weakening the door structure. For newer doors, the standard British front door setup uses a rim Yale-type nightlatch on top paired with a mortice deadlock below.

We fit every rim lock type — from modern deadlocking nightlatches to traditional black iron ornamental rim locks for heritage properties. Browse our full lock types guide, check our locksmith advice, or contact us for a free quote. We cover all areas across South London. About us

Clapham period conversions and Hither Green's Corbett Estate uniform 1890s doors both mix rim and mortice work on the same door — we measure before ordering. (Pre-booked: Clapham · Hither Green.)

Rim Lock Key Features

Security Rating

Depends on type. Rim nightlatch: basic-good. Rim deadlock: good-high. BS3621 rim deadlock: insurance-approved. Traditional ornamental: low (decorative only).

Mounting

Surface-mounted on the inner face of the door. No mortice pocket needed. Ideal for thin, old, or fragile doors where cutting into the timber would weaken the structure.

Best Used For

Period properties (Victorian, Edwardian), conservation areas, thin timber doors, flat entrance doors. Modern use: paired with a mortice deadlock on front doors.

Price Range

Rim lock replacement from £89 fitted. Traditional ornamental rim locks priced per job — send photos on WhatsApp for a fixed quote.

Is a Rim Lock Right for Your Door?

Rim lock suits:

  • + Victorian and Edwardian timber doors
  • + Thin doors that cannot be morticed
  • + Conservation area properties (heritage aesthetics)
  • + Flat entrance doors in converted houses
  • + Paired with a mortice deadlock for full security

Consider alternatives if:

  • - Your door is thick enough for a mortice lock (stronger)
  • - You have a uPVC or composite multipoint door
  • - You want a concealed, flush-fitting lock
  • - You need standalone BS3621 (mortice deadlock is more common)

Our Rim Lock Services in South London

Supply & Fit

New rim lock supplied and surface-mounted. Yale, ERA, Union, Ingersoll nightlatches and deadlocks. Same-day fitting available.

from £89

Repair

Cylinder spinning, bolt not throwing, spring broken? We diagnose and fix rim lock mechanisms or replace worn parts on site.

from £69

Heritage Restoration

Traditional ornamental rim locks for period properties. Black iron, brass, and antique finishes. Conservation area sympathetic fitting.

WhatsApp for quote

Emergency Call-Out

Locked out or rim lock jammed? 24/7 emergency service. Non-destructive entry and same-visit replacement.

from £69

How It Works

1

Call or WhatsApp

Send a photo of your door and current lock. We identify the rim lock type, check the door thickness, and quote a fixed price.

2

We Arrive & Fit

Old rim lock removed. New one surface-mounted in the same position, keep plate aligned, and bolt throw tested. No morticing required.

3

Tested & Handed Over

Keys handed over, lock tested from both sides. We advise on whether you also need a mortice deadlock for insurance compliance.

Why Choose Locksmith South London?

DBS Checked & Insured
Every engineer verified.
No Call-Out Fee
Pay for the lock and fitting only.
30-Minute Response
For emergencies across South London.
5.0 Google Rating
Verified real customer reviews.
Period Property Experience
Victorian, Edwardian, conservation areas.
Fixed Prices, No VAT
Quoted before we start.
Workmanship Guarantee
Written guarantee on every installation.
Multi-Brand Stock
Yale, ERA, Union, Ingersoll, ornamental.

Rim Lock Fitting Costs South London

Fixed prices. Genuine brands. No hidden fees.

Emergency Lockout

Non-destructive entry. 24/7.

£69
from

Rim Cylinder Only

Replace just the key part.

£89
from
Most Popular

Full Rim Lock Replacement

Complete rim lock replaced with genuine unit.

£89
from

Traditional Ornamental

Heritage rim locks for period doors.

WhatsApp photos
for fixed quote
WhatsApp Us

What Our Customers Say

"Our 1890s front door in Dulwich had an ancient rim lock that barely worked. He replaced it with a new ERA deadlocking nightlatch that matched the existing backplate holes perfectly. No extra drilling, no damage to the original door. Very respectful of the period features."

CP
Catherine P.
Dulwich, SE21

"The rim lock on our flat door in Wandsworth had been sticking for weeks. He sorted it in 20 minutes — the keep plate was misaligned from the door settling. Adjusted it, lubricated the mechanism, and it works like new. Charged a fair price."

MG
Michael G.
Wandsworth, SW18

"Wanted a traditional black iron rim lock fitted on our cottage-style side door in Crystal Palace. He sourced an ornamental rim lock that looks authentic but has modern security internals. Exactly what we needed for the conservation area."

AJ
Amanda J.
Crystal Palace, SE19
Rim lock fitted on front door by locksmith South London

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a rim lock?
A rim lock mounts on the inside surface of the door rather than being cut into the door edge. The most common type is the rim nightlatch. Others include rim deadlocks, rim sashlocks, and traditional ornamental rim locks for period doors. Because they bolt onto the surface, rim locks work on doors too thin or fragile to mortice.
What is the difference between a rim lock and a mortice lock?
A rim lock sits on the door surface (visible inside). A mortice lock is recessed into a pocket cut in the door edge (concealed). Rim locks are easier to fit and suit thinner doors. Mortice locks are stronger but need a door thick enough to cut into. Most front doors use both — a rim nightlatch on top, mortice deadlock below.
Are rim locks suitable for front doors?
A rim nightlatch alone does not meet BS3621 insurance requirements. Paired with a BS3621 mortice deadlock, it forms the standard UK front door lock setup. Some rim deadlocks are BS3621-rated and work as standalone locks. We advise which setup suits your door during a free assessment.
How much does rim lock fitting cost?
Rim lock replacement starts from £89 fitted. Rim cylinder-only change from £89. Emergency lockout from £69. Traditional ornamental rim locks for heritage properties are priced per job — WhatsApp photos for a fixed quote.
Can you fit a rim lock on a Victorian door?
Yes. Rim locks are often the best option for Victorian and Edwardian doors across South London. The original frames may be too narrow or the timber too aged for a mortice lock. We fit modern deadlocking rim nightlatches and source traditional ornamental locks for conservation areas in Dulwich, Crystal Palace, Clapham, and Brixton.

Related Lock Types

Night Latch LockYale LockMortice LockAll Lock TypesLock Not TurningLock Replacement CostLock Jammed

Areas We Cover in South London

Explore the site

HomeAreas We CoverLock TypesDoor LocksSecurity LocksSmart LocksLocksmith AdviceAbout UsContact Us

Related locks & problems

Yale LockNight Latch LockMortice LockLock Not TurningLock JammedLocked OutLock Replacement Cost

Locations we cover

CroydonSuttonWallingtonPurleyCoulsdonThornton HeathSouth CroydonNorburySandersteadKenley

Need a Rim Lock Fitted in South London?

Modern or traditional. Same-day fitting. Period property experience. Fixed price from £89.

Pre-booked installs across South London

Same-day appointments for planned rim and night latch swaps in Clapham, Surbiton, Orpington, East Dulwich, Hither Green and Crystal Palace.

Rim, night-latch and multipoint lock changes also cover Thornton Heath, Caterham, Wallington, Woolwich, Streatham and Bromley.