NO locks fitted on bathroom, toilet, & bedroom doors, student house; is this kosher?!

A_Phoenix_of_Tangerine

Currently moving my stuff into a private sector student house for this academic year. It's a 5 bed house, 2 other tenants so far apart from me (but haven't seen them yet), no-one has moved in yet but contracts began on the 1st of September. We all have individual contracts.

When I collected my keys and had a proper look around the property I noticed something that I hadn't before; the fact that none of the bedrooms, or the bathroom and toilet have locks! I've never experienced this before in a shared student property, and was wondering whether this is even legal in a registered student house, especially when the tenants are strangers and on their own separate contracts? I'm pretty sure that the lack of locks on bedrooms can void insurance; when I asked the landlord about this (at that point I hadn't noticed the lack of bathroom locks!), he said that that might be the case with some insurence companies but probably not all if I were to shop around. He said that the (council? can't remember, someone with the role of surveying the property, anyway) had challenged him about the locks, but his response was that we'd be on a joint contract (which we're not) and that since we're all living with each other in the same house we'd know each other and that we therefore wouldn't be stealing each others stuff. Hmmm...

But obviously intruders can break through the front door / ground floor windows (no window locks either, plus only one normal key lock on door since the back-up yale lock is broken), and if you don't have extra locks on your own door then surely you're completely at risk? So is this a legitimate way for the landlord to be acting? He said that he can't stop me from fitting my own lock, but it'd have to be one that could be opened from both within and outside my room, because of fire risk apparently; no deadlocks, outer padlocks etc, or he said he'd remove them. But surely the locks that can be used from both sides would need a locksmith to fit it, for the door to be hollowed out for the lock to fit in, and for the door frame etc also to be modified to receive the catch?! That's gonna be a crazy amount of money for one individual student who not unreasonably wants their stuff to be secure!

Would the landlord not be responsible for footing up the bill for installing locks that should (i'd imagine) already be there?

I haven't really a clue, so any constructive feedback that you can offer would be so much appreciated

laurel7172

A big part of getting any locksmith out is the call out charge, so if you and your housemates all feel the same way, you'll get a much better deal getting someone to come out and fit locks to five bedroom doors at once. If you're really lucky, though, somebody will turn up with Dad, who will throw a fit about the lack of locks and turn up with his tools to fit a lock to his own daughter's door. If you ask very nicely you might be able to get it done for the cost of the materials....

I'd be careful, though. make sure you write to him saying "as per our agreement I will be fitting a lock on ( future date)", or a man like him will probably take the cost of a new door and frame out of your deposit...

I agree you shouldn't have to, though, it's ridiculous. What's more, if the landlord is being an idiot and a skinflint over something so basic, please make sure the life threatening things like boiler checks are up to date...

If he's lied to the council inspectors, though, you could always contact the CAB or council and ask them what your options are. The council might be able to serve an enforcement notice or something (and if you wait until the house is full he won't know for sure who reported him). Good luck!

Locknut

I agree it should have locks on there but be very carefull if you dont have it done by a locksmith as the fire regs on multiple ocupancy houses are a minefield, if you get it wrong or the person fitting them gets it wrong there on a man slauter charge!

Most locksmiths that i know dont charge a call out but shop around and try and get a MLA (master locksmiths assosiation) Or ICL (institute or certified locksmiths) this way you should avoid the cowboys.

Fitting padlocks are a big no no as someone could lock you in for a laugh trapping you incase of fire.
The front enterance should have a lock that can be opened from the inside without a key, the same goes for any locks on the rooms.

Hope this helps.

sujac

Not too sure where you stand on this as I also rented with friends under one agreement. Maybe contact your student union as they will know far more details about this and will be able to advise you on what to do.

1jim

If you have locks fitted onto each bedroom door dont you all need seperate tv licences?

musicmaker29

Note sure about fire etc. but one of the main reasons that landlords refuse to put locks on student houses is that, if they do, they will probably have to apply for planning permission for change of use from a 'normal' house to house of multiple occupation.

By the time they have paid the planning fees and drawing costs they will have shelled out a fortune, (and the neighbours would have to be consulted) and so by keeping it 'no locks' they save a lot of money and hassle.

Looks like you are stuck with it unfortunately :S

kalaika

Others can help with the legalities, but for privacy reasons, I'd tell your landlord that you're going to go down to B&Q and buy a couple of cheap barrel locks to fit to your bathroom and toilet and fit them yourself. They don't need to be that strong as they only need to stop someone opening the door on you so they'll only be a couple of quid. They'll also not have any impact on the multiple occupancy issues mentioned above (unless your landlord is planning on renting out the bathroom to a separate tenant...) but may just make you slightly less nervous about doing what needs to be done.

edgex

your uni or student union should have a housing officer
go & speak with them

pukkamum

I would have thought one of the reasons for not fitting seperate locks on each bedroom is also the fact that every time someone moves out the lock will have to be changed leading to a huge cost!!!!
I agree about the barrel lock on the bath and toilet though and perhaps a small one on your room (small enough to be bust open in case of fire etc).
Perhaps you could think about a small safe in your room for any valubles??

cajef

sujac wrote: »

Not too sure where you stand on this

If you are in the toilet do not stand, sit with one foot firmly against the door.:rotfl:

snapping_crocodile

If you have each signes individual contracts for each room then you should have a lock on the door of your bedroom as it is your space, not a communal one! Unfortunately this does also mean you each need a separate TV licence :rolleyes: