Council flat door closer advice please...

nikki702

Hi everyone,

I live in a council flat and about 2 months ago I had a knock at my door, council workers had come (they didnt write to let me know) to fit a door closer.

I didnt know what it was and told them to go ahead. When I saw the size of this thing I said no im sorry I dont want it. They said fine and off they went.

Fast forward to today.

I have received a letter from my housing manager saying I am breaching my tenancy agreement for refusing to allow council workers to do their job.

I need to contact them to rearrange or they will take enforcement action for breach of tenancy.

I really don't want one of these fitted I know it will result in me getting locked out my flat and having to pay £88 for a locksmith and also I have a daughter and don't want her closing her fingers in the door, it dont help that its BIG and looks like it belongs in a shop.

Do I really have to have this fitted? or can I just say no I dont want it?

iamcornholio

There s a big thing at the moment with councils and fire protection of multi-storey blocks - a few bad fires recently and they are knee jerking

I am assuming that they want to fit this thing to the front door to make it self closing and so give [supposedly] greater protection from fire spread.

You need to ask your repairs manager to explain exactly why you need this monstrosity fitted - the exact regulations requiring them to fit the closer, and not just some lame "because we want to" reason

Bear in mind that that type of closer seems to be one designed for communal or commercial doors, and there are less obtrusive ones available for domestic use.

With regards to breach of tenancy, then yes normally you are required to let the council in, on request, and after 24 hours noticce to inspect or carry out repairs ... BUT .... this does not include improvements - and this is something many repairs managers forget. There is a big difference to a repair and an improvement, and this door closer fitting is not a repair.

Don't be scared by their threat. You have a right to have the work explained to you and why it is needed.

It may be that regulations or specific fire-safety concerns mean that the door closer needs to be fitted, but if that is so then a more suitable product may be required. In any case, don't be bullied ... ask why, and demand that your needs are considered

See how you get on and post back their reply

nikki702

Thanks, I am going to speak to him tomorrow.

I just checked the agreement it says: " you must allow our staff, agents and contractors to get into your home at any reasonable time to inspect it. You must allow us to carry out repairs and other work which we consider necessary at any reasonable time. This includes inspections and repairs needed to deal with problems in other parts of the building or other buildings nearby. It also includes improvements."

I will let you know what he says, he is not the most polite man at the best of times, I would imagine he will probably say you have to have it and that is that.

iamcornholio

OK, seems like your council may be switched on by slipping that into the agreement. Many councils forget.

But unless the council can prove that your refusal is totally unreasonable, then there is no way it would be sufficient for a breach of tenancy action.

If not happy, use their formal complaints process to get your answers

elsien

Just to say as well that door closures can be designed to close in 2 movements, with the final click shut being a lot more gentle, and they can be adjusted from inside if they are closing too quickly or abruptly. We have to have them on the doors in our residential home for people with learning disabilities, and we've not yet had a problem with any one trapping their fingers.

System

if it is for spread of fire protection, then i would say the council (as owners of the building) are well within their rights to protect the building against spread of fire as best they can!

(you'll get used to it after about a week anyway, not really worth getting evicted for something aimed at stopping your house burn down!)

iamcornholio

The problem I have with this type of upgrade is that there is a concept that all buildings are built to the relevant building standards of the day, and there is no legal requirement to upgrade any existing building to newer or current standards. The only time alterations are required is when a major defect is discovered - and fitting self closing doors does not fall into this category

The recent fires in high-rise blocks, although bad, have been found to have spread by other means .... cavities or ducts or poor workmanship when carrying out alterations. None have been caused or prolonged by front doors not being closed.

What is happening, is that council "surveyors" (limited training) or consultants (big fees to justify) are going around doing risk assessments and finding problems which don't exist and recommending lots of work in the name of H&S which is just plain arrse covering and just justifying their roles

And as soon as someone says that something must be done in the name of H&S, then few people are prepared to question it

Flats have had doors which don't self close for many years - and have there been and problems with this? Oh no, but it "might" happen. Yeah, whatever.

I've been to nearly 30 flat fires in the past 7 years - drunks burning the chips late at night, a few cigarettes in bed or on the settee, and a few arsons or children with matches. Nothing to do with a front door closers. But the councils will insist on their "upgrades" to front doors whilst still fitting plastic windows which melt, glass falls out and allows flames to lick up the outside of the block to flats above