Can a latch be used instead of a handle on the front door?

Don’t all your doors have a latch (that’s what we colloquially call it here), which can be adjusted so that you can push the door open? You put it in when you need it and then just take it out again.

Day latch.

Ours doesn’t. But that’s the same "problem" as with a key: you have to remember it.

Sort of. With a key and especially a door handle, it’s already a visual invitation for others. Who doesn’t like to push a handle just to see if a door is open? If you have the day latch and a usual push handle, this invitation doesn’t exist.

Yes and no. With a key and especially with a latch, it is already a visual invitation for third parties. Who doesn't like to press a latch just to see if a door is open. If you have the day latch and a usual push handle, this invitation does not exist.

You are right if you don’t have a fence. But with us, the person would first have to get onto the property, which of course is locked. To do that, they would have to climb over the gate. And that is not exactly inconspicuous.

By problem, I meant forgetting. I would constantly lock myself out because I would either forget the key or to engage the latch.

From an insurance perspective, I don’t see a problem. If there was one, you wouldn’t be allowed to leave a window or terrace door open during the day while present. And as far as I know, that does not count as gross negligence.

We have always hidden a house key outside the house and have needed it now and then. Based on that feeling, I wouldn’t want a door handle either, and having this key outside the house solves the problem for us.

From an insurance perspective, I don’t see a problem. If there were one, you wouldn’t be allowed to leave a window or terrace door open during the day while present. And as far as I know, that is not considered gross negligence.

Not while present. But if you are out of the house (maybe in the backyard and the front door is open), then this is gross negligence and will – depending on the insurance and policy – be excluded.
This is usually the case in basic tariffs – also with us in the group, I just checked.

We have always hidden a house key outside the house

Under the doormat or under the flower pot? – that joke is so old, not only burglars know it.

Under the doormat or under the flowerpot? - the joke is so old, not only burglars know it.

Exactly those were my only two ideas - and I thought those places were especially clever :-( Actually, I can't imagine any other place outside the house except the doormat and the flowerpot to hide a key about the size of a spade. Well? ..... That makes me think the dose of mediocre crime novels has been quite high :-) The statistics on burglaries where the perpetrators tried to unlock the front door with the original key should be checked.