Protecting bedroom in a shared apartment

Question

I have 2 roommates who are quite irresponsible, untidy, and more importantly, very nosey. I know they opened my door a few times and went though my stuffs, but they deny it, and of course I can’t prove it. I am not looking for any proof now, if I can just find a way to stop them from entering my room, I will be quite happy.

I know I can find many different types of what is called Keyed Locking k**b in hardware stores such Hope Depot, but the fact is they all can be opened simply by a bobby pin (or hairpin), a wire hanger, or an plastic ID or credit card in 5 minutes or less, even by un-professionals. For daily security, I mean from morning till afternoon when I am at work, they could do the job, but I am going away for about a month and I am so worried as to what might happen while I am out of town. I have no time to change my place right now, but I will as soon as I am back home.

Is there anything, like a lock, or any other thing that acts similarly. I have heard some people install a piece of rotating metal behind the door, so there is no hole from the outside, but I don’t know how it works when there is no hole. Is it magnetic or what?

Any advice, suggestions, … would be so helpful and is appreciated much.

Answer 1

You should probably be able to replace the lockset with a keyed lockset that uses a regular pin tumbler lock -- just like an entrance door.

This is probably the simplest solution.

Answer 2

There are keyed chain locks made. You install them so you can fit your hand through the partially opened door and unlock it with a key. The chain part falls out when unlocked and you push it up and in to lock it.

Answer 3

Get a sensor to show when it's been opened and a large padlock.

Answer 4

As Jane said, a BIG padlock should do the key.

Maybe you can get one of those locks that have a number code to it so they definitely can't pick the lock.

As for some valuables, don't you have anyone, family that you could store your more valuable items with while you are gone? I'm sure clothes and such is replaceable, but something like photos or computers on the other hand might be able to take or if they are mean and irresponsible look through it, or at least try to do a password protect on it...

Good luck!

Answer 5

Keyless pushbutton locks.  These locks have key pad on them and only you would know the code.  You can change the code whenever you want and they range in price from forty dollars and up.  The only way in would be for them to bust the door down.

Answer 6

Use a padlock. And a BIG one. If nothing else it will let them know that you don't appreciate their snooping around in your things.