Last year I lost the only key to one of my outer doors. I think the lock is what is known as a mortise lock - it isn't the Yale type, with the keyhole in a brass disc, but the kind that has an 'old-fashioned looking' key, with a cylidrical shaft. The key itself was very simple, just two 'prongs' of equal length, and as far apart as possible. From this, I'd suppose the lock itself has two levers.
I went to a locksmith's shop and asked if they could cut a key based on my description, but the man just pointed at all the dozens of blank sizes and said that would be impossible.
I don't really care if I can't open this door, but I rent the property, and sooner of later the landlord is going to want his flat back in the condition I left it - and that means with doors that you can open!
A locksmith, of course, could solve this problem, but the quotes I've been given are exhorbitant.
I could easily replace the lock itself if I could get the door open, but as it appears to be the type that slots into the end of the door, I can't see how to do it. I can't take the hinges off either, as they're covered up, the door being closed.
Any suggestions please?