Mambourin Building
Inspections

Doors and windows that bind: the locks and windows standards

Why sticking doors and windows can stop a rental being listed.

Mambourin 3024 · 26 August 2026

In short: A door that will not latch or a window that will not open is a compliance item, not just an annoyance.

The locks standard

External entry doors must be lockable with a key, so a door that binds or will not latch fails.

The windows standard

Outside windows must be able to latch and open and close as designed.

Why it happens

Frame movement and settling, often on reactive soils, push doors and windows out of line.

What the report says

Each sticking door or window is photographed with the likely cause and the repair needed.

Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Mambourin. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.

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FAQ

Questions Mambourin owners ask about this

Is a sticking internal door a failure?

Only external entry doors fall under the locks standard, but we note internal ones too.

Can a carpenter fix it?

Usually, by adjusting the door or window. Cracking nearby may need more investigation.

Do screen doors count?

No, they are not counted for the locks standard.

Are window locks required?

Outside windows that can open need a latch.

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