| Maryland Lock Change |
| Thursday, 25 January 2001 | |
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Please see the following communication we had with Richard Dunn from the Washington HUD office regarding clarification of the Maryland lock change guideline requirements. From: "Richard E. Dunne" <Richard_E._Dunne@HUD.GOV> Robert: "Locks for each entrance door, rear door, including all doors on 1st floor and basement should be changed using a standard lock set. Use a Kwikset Master Lock key code 35241. Where a lockset is not practical, use Padlock(United States Lock #1971C or American Lock #AM875). Lenders may use bracing to secure other doors leading to the exterior as needed. Specifically, bracing should be used only when exterior doors cannot be Prior Communication on this issue is as follows: Robert Klein <robert.klein@safeguardproperties.com> on 01/02/2001 02:51:29 PM I am hoping that you can help me. A number of our clients have asked us to try and clarify the Maryland guidelines pertaining to lock changes. It seems that they have been unsuccessful in obtaining the clarification from their HUD contacts. Mortgagee Letter 97-31, Attachment 3, page 9 states under Local Variations From General Requirements, "Locks for each entrance door, rear door, including all doors on 1st floor and basement should be changed using a standard lock set." The next paragraph reads, "Since lock sets or padlocks are to be used on the main entry door only, lenders may use bracing to secure other doors leading to the exterior as needed. Specifically, bracing should be used only when exterior doors cannot be otherwise secured from the interior door knob and a cleat board nailed into the floor at a 45 degree angle." These two paragraphs seem to directly contradict each other. The HUD schedule lists a protecto key, which would not be a standard lockset, at $50.00 and bracing at $10.00. It does not provide a schedule for a standard lock set for the remaining doors. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Robert Good Morning Robert: I apologize for getting back to you so late but I just returned from vacation. Your timing could not be better. I am currently revising the remaining policy, cost and servicing issues of ML 97-31 and am working on this particular issue. I never received any feedback on this particular issue, but I do see the need to clarify. Security, of course should be the main concern, and cost as well. With that in mind, I believe that bracing will ultimately cost more due to a high risk of damage to the door and therefore likely to cause door replacement. Lock replacement, using either a Master lock set, identically key coded, or a replacement of deadbolt locks (using existing bore holes) would be the safest and ultimately the most cost effective. By the way, what is a Protecto lock? From Robert Klein <robert.klein@safeguardproperties.com> on 01/11/2001 Richard, Thanks for your reply and I hope you enjoyed your vacation. I agree with you that bracing ultimately causes more damage to the property than does changing the locks. I also agree that changing all existing exterior locks with a matching "protecto" lock set or master key system is the most economical way to secure the property. (A protecto lock is one that has a master key but also contains a tumbler with another set of keys for the new homeowner to use). It is my understanding that the Maryland HUD office has indicated to use the master lock keyed to 35241 as the protecto lock is not always available in that area. Robert P.S. Would you mind if I forwarded your response to some of our clients who have asked how to handle the securing of Maryland properties? At 10:17 AM 1/11/01 -0500, Richard E. Dunne wrote: I was not aware that a key code has been established by MC&B for Maryland. I am confirming that now. Did you get the key code from MC&B?. One more thing; I did not want to give the impression that bracing should never be utilized. There are going to be situations where bracing is the only alternative short of replacing the door, but it should be the alternative instead of the initial response to securing. Let's establish the key code before you forward my response to your clients. Robert Klein <robert.klein@safeguardproperties.com> on 01/11/2001 11:50:12 AM Thanks, We do have a fax signed by a Mr. Greer from the Maryland Hud office (dated 08-30-95??) confirming the use of key code 35241 instead of the protecto. Do you want me to fax you a copy? If yes, can you give me your fax number? I will wait for your response. Thanks, At 01:19 PM 1/11/01 -0500, Richard E. Dunne wrote: Robert Klein <robert.klein@safeguardproperties.com> on 01/11/2001 03:10:57 PM 100% of the time. A number of years ago we had the same situation in Texas with the Weiser lock. Robert At 02:07 PM 1/11/01 -0500, Richard E. Dunne wrote: Robert Klein <robert.klein@safeguardproperties.com> on 01/11/2001 03:38:16 PM None as far as I can tell. Robert From: "Richard E. Dunne" <Richard_E._Dunne@HUD.GOV> Robert: |
