Yes. A broken front door or lock leaves your home unsafe, so your landlord must fix it quickly. Here is the law and what to do.
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Direct Answer
Yes. A broken front door or a broken lock is your landlord's job to fix. If your home cannot be locked, it is not safe, so this should be treated as urgent. You have a right to a secure home.
What the law says
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 makes your landlord responsible for the structure and outside of the home, which includes external doors. The law says repairs must be done in a reasonable time. A door that will not lock should be fixed straight away because it puts you at risk.
If you rent from a council or housing association, Awaab's Law applies. Since 27 October 2025, an emergency must be made safe within 24 hours. A serious problem must be looked at within 10 working days, with a written summary 3 working days after that, and the work begun within 5 working days of the investigation (a 12-week backstop applies to larger jobs).
What to do
- Report it to your landlord in writing now. Say your home cannot be locked.
- Take photos of the broken door or lock.
- Keep a copy of what you sent, with the date and time.
- Ask for an emergency repair if you do not feel safe.
If your landlord does nothing
A no-win-no-fee claim is one route open to you.
- A no-win-no-fee claim: a panel solicitor takes your case. If you do not win, you pay nothing. If you win, you pay an agreed fee out of your compensation, never out of your own pocket, and we explain it clearly before you start.
Support for Tenants is a regulated company, not a solicitor. Panel solicitors run the cases.
Read more about broken windows and doors or your rights.
Talk to someone
If your door or lock is broken and your landlord will not fix it, call us free on 0800 030 4669.
Sources
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 20 May 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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Still stuck?
Call us free or start a claim online. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing.