Security in rented house

top_drawer_2

hi everyone,

I live in a rented shared house and due to a incident this last few days I have been thinking carefully about our security.

At the moment there is just a sneck lock on the front door, there is also a deadbolt (which we arent currently using due to the fact that in order to exit the house we would have to find our door keys, which if there was a fire could be a problem, particularly at night). The landlord has mentioned us using it but my reasoning is that I would prefer to be burglared than be burned alive/suffocate behind the door through not being able to find my keys/being panicked.

The police officer who were here last night suggested a chain but since I can never be 100% who is in or out of the house, I/we could easily lock someone out for the night.

We have double glazing and on the back door a bolt and a key lock, although key is in the door (smokers comings and goings) top half of the door is single pained glass panals.

Not sure what else to mention but I would really like some advice on anything we could do to make the house more secure.

Thanks

TD

custardy

why not just keep a deadlock key in a set place near the door for emergencies?

poppysarah

Get an emergency key fixed to something too big to put through the letter box maybe and leave it somewhere safe for in case of emergencies.

Or ask the landlord to replace the lock with something sensible for a HMO

top_drawer_2

poppysarah wrote: »

Or ask the landlord to replace the lock with something sensible for a HMO

I was hoping for suggestions on what might be sensible from other LL's, my LL is such by accident really and is not a go-getter by any means lol.

TD

alunharford

I am not a locksmith - nor am I trained in fire escapes. This is just my opinion and you should seek professional help.

An escape lock could be a good compromise. Outside, you need to use the key to open the door. Inside, you just use the handle. Something like a Union L224405/L224406. Should cost about 50 quid.

Obviously, this isn't appropriate if somebody can just smash some glass in the door and use the handle inside. It also means that somebody who climbs in through a window etc has an easy way to get the stuff out of the house.