can you fit locks that don't damage doors??? -rented flat - please help! :)

blink5 · 8 December 2009 at 2:59PM

Hi

I live in a rented 3 bed flat. The landlord is refusing to allow us to put individual door locks on each of the bedroom doors.

Is there anyway to put a lock on the door - or some security feature that will mean no damage to the door?

so i can remove it at the end of the contract.

I have no idea about locks etc...

If it's not possible for a lock, is there any devise i could have that would make a noise when the door is opened, maybe this is only turned off when i come back with a key or a code to turn it off????

It's pretty nescerry because one of my flat mates was thieving from us other two - luckly shes been booted out! but we both want locks to protect us from this happening again with the new person or third parties.

thankyou in advance for any advice

blink

TheMoneySpider · 8 December 2009 at 3:04PM

Surely you are within your rights to ask for a lock on your doors if it's a shared house.

What sort of doors are they? Could the locks be polyfillered over and painted once they were removed?

blink5 · 8 December 2009 at 3:20PM

we've asked the letting agents several times about locks, they know about the thieving house mate.

they have said if the landlord wanted to sell the flat in the future 'as a family home' individual locks on bedroom doors would mean they couldn't sell.

they have said if we put our own locks on (drilling into the door) they will charge us £500 a door at the end to have all doors (including the bathroom, lounge etc ones) to have them all replaced and looking the same.

the doors are wooden, non painted, heavy and thicker than average doors - im guessing some kind of fire door.

the flat has been rented out to students for at least 5 years. the agents rent out a lot of the same flats in the building and tell us no one has ever asked for locks before! .. hmm! :S

i was hoping if there was some kind of discrete lock i could use i might be able to get away with it. or some kind of alarm.

after what ive been through with the theiving (a supposed friend of ours!) i can't trust. and so want something to have peace of mind.

blink xox

keystone · 8 December 2009 at 3:38PM

blink5 wrote: »

they have said if the landlord wanted to sell the flat in the future 'as a family home' individual locks on bedroom doors would mean they couldn't sell.

That's nonsense TBH but he's within his rights to refuse without giving a reason.

Its impossible NOT to damage the door and any repair work before you leave is not relevant as suggested by another poster as the door will have been damaged in the first instance contrary to the terms of your letting.

Think about moving elsewhere.

Cheers

hartcjhart · 8 December 2009 at 4:52PM

what sort of stuff was being stolen,could you buy a cheap cupboard and lock all valuables in it

Basil1234 · 9 December 2009 at 6:59AM

well if it was me i'd look for somewhere else but providing your valuables are small that have been stolen what about a small safe such as http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7001033/Trail/searchtext%3ESAFE.htm
for about £25 got to be better than nothing!

hewhoisnotintheknow · 9 December 2009 at 9:00AM

tell him you are moving because of it, or buy a cheap webcam and see what you pick up!

Wherryman · 9 December 2009 at 12:00PM

Here is one item that might fit your lock without any damage to the door but at £40 deliverd it's a bit expensive.

http://www.locksonline.co.uk/acatalog/Templock_Key_Black_Temporary_Door_Lock.html

savemoney · 9 December 2009 at 12:15PM

Wow that looks amazing never seen anything like that before

Wherryman wrote: »

Here is one item that might fit your lock without any damage to the door but at £40 deliverd it's a bit expensive.

http://www.locksonline.co.uk/acatalog/Templock_Key_Black_Temporary_Door_Lock.html