What Is a Night Latch Lock?
A night latch is the spring-loaded lock on the inside of your front door — the one that clicks shut when you pull the door closed and opens from outside with a flat key. It is the most common lock on British front doors and has been for over a century. The lock body sits on the inner face of the door with a rim cylinder poking through to the outside. Inside, you turn a handle or press a snib to open it.
Night latches come in three security tiers. A standard nightlatch has a simple angled bolt that can be pushed back with a credit card — locksmiths call this "carding" or "loiding," and it takes about three seconds. A deadlocking nightlatch (like the Yale 89 or ERA 235) has an extra mechanism that locks the bolt rigid once the door closes, so carding does not work. A BS3621 nightlatch (like the Yale PBS1) meets the British Standard that most home insurers require. If you only have a standard nightlatch on your front door, you are likely underinsured and vulnerable to the simplest forced entry method going.
We fit every nightlatch type across South London — from Yale nightlatches to Ingersoll SC71 high-security models. We also install the mortice deadlock below to complete the two-lock setup most insurers demand. Browse all lock types we work with, read our locksmith guides, or contact us for a free quote. We cover all areas across South London. About us
Night Latch Key Features
Security Rating
Standard: vulnerable to carding. Deadlocking: card-proof. BS3621: insurance-approved. Always choose deadlocking minimum.
Key Type
Flat Yale-style key operates a rim cylinder. Two keys included with new locks. Additional keys cut on request.
Best Used For
Timber and composite front doors. Usually paired with a mortice deadlock for insurance compliance. Not for uPVC multipoint doors.
Price Range
Night latch replacement from £250 fitted. Includes genuine hardware, rim cylinder, two keys, and professional installation.
Is a Night Latch Right for Your Door?
Night latch suits:
- + Timber front doors (Victorian, Edwardian, modern)
- + Composite front doors with suitable prep
- + Doors where you want self-closing convenience
- + Paired with a mortice deadlock for full security
- + Flat entrance doors in converted houses
Consider alternatives if:
- - You have a uPVC door (needs an euro cylinder instead)
- - You want keyless entry (keypad lock or smart lock)
- - Your door has a multipoint locking system
- - You need a standalone BS3621 lock (consider a mortice deadlock)
Our Night Latch Services in South London
Supply & Fit
New night latch supplied and fitted. Yale, ERA, Ingersoll, Union models in stock. Same-day fitting on most models.
from £250Repair
Stiff latch, snib stuck, bolt not retracting? We diagnose and fix the mechanism, replace worn springs, realign the keep plate.
from £120Deadlocking Upgrade
Replace your cardable standard nightlatch with a deadlocking or BS3621 model. Uses the same door prep — no extra drilling needed.
from £250Emergency Call-Out
Locked out or night latch jammed? 24/7 emergency service. Non-destructive entry and same-visit replacement if needed.
from £120How It Works
Call or WhatsApp
Send a photo of your current night latch. We identify the model, check whether yours is deadlocking or not, and quote a fixed price.
We Arrive & Fit
Old nightlatch removed, new one surface-mounted in the same position, aligned to the keep plate, and tested from both sides. Takes 30-45 minutes.
Keys Handed Over
Two keys supplied, door tested, snib and handle checked. We confirm whether you also need a mortice deadlock for insurance before leaving.
Why Choose Locksmith South London?
Every engineer verified.
Pay for the lock and fitting only.
For lockouts and emergencies.
Verified real customer reviews.
Yale, ERA, Ingersoll, Union, Chubb.
Quoted before we start.
Written guarantee on every job.
We tell you if your lock meets BS3621.
Night Latch Fitting Costs South London
Fixed prices. Genuine brands. No hidden fees.
Emergency Lockout
Non-destructive entry if locked out. 24/7.
Rim Cylinder Only
Replace just the key part of the nightlatch.
Full Night Latch Replacement
Complete nightlatch replaced with genuine new unit.
Night Latch + Deadlock
Two-lock insurance setup: nightlatch + BS3621 mortice.
for fixed quote
What Our Customers Say
"Our Victorian front door in Brixton had the original night latch from the 1960s — no deadlocking, completely cardable. He replaced it with a new ERA deadlocking model and fitted a 5-lever mortice below it. Insurance sorted, door feels solid now."
Brixton, SW2
"Got locked out at 11pm — the snib had dropped and I could not get back in. He was there in 20 minutes, opened the door without damage, and replaced the worn latch mechanism on the spot. Calm, efficient, fair price."
Mitcham, CR4
"Needed all the nightlatches changed in a 6-flat conversion in Penge before the HMO licence inspection. He fitted Ingersoll deadlocking nightlatches to every flat door within a day and gave us a compliance letter for the council."
Penge, SE20
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a night latch lock?
Can a night latch be opened with a credit card?
Is a night latch enough for home insurance?
How much does night latch replacement cost?
What is the difference between standard and deadlocking?
Areas We Cover in South London
Explore the site
Related locks & problems
Locations we cover
Need a Night Latch Fitted in South London?
Same-day fitting. Deadlocking upgrades in stock. Fixed price from £250. Call or WhatsApp a photo of your current lock.
24/7 emergency locksmith serving South London since 2015 — trusted by homeowners, landlords and businesses across Sutton, Mitcham, Wallington, Cheam, Purley and surrounding areas.