Tenant putting locks on internal door?

captainpants

Hope I can get some quick informal advice on behalf of a friend.

She is a tenant in a two bedroom apartment and her new flatmate has become unreasonable and untrustworthy (won't go into details here). My friend has to go away for 4 days and is worried that the girl may steal things from her room or let her friends (who are staying over) sleep in her room.

My friend asked the letting agent if she could put a lock on her bedroom door while she is away and the agent said no.

I know that tenants can replace front door locks during their tenancy as long as they replace the original lock at the end - does this also apply to internal locks? There is currently no lock on the bedroom door.

The girl has apparently told the agent separately that she may be leaving and my friend is a little worried she might do a runner in her absence. Not going away is not an option for my friend so no 'helpful' comments about how she should cancel her trip if she's that worried.

Please let me know any rights my friend might have in putting a lock on her door. My inclination would be to put the lock on the door and just accept part loss of deposit when moving (it's a new tenancy so she's there for at least another 6 months).

Thoughts?

pinkshoes

The agency should never know what she does to the door, as they shouldn't be entering the property.

What is important is making sure that the door is in the same condition at the end of her tenancy as it was in the beginning. If she puts a lock on the door, she might have to replace the door, or at the very least remove the lock and make good the door so that they won't know the lock was there.

What sort of tenancy do they have??

captainpants

It's a standard 6 month AST. I was thinking that as long as the place is in the same condition as it was when they moved in it's not the agent's business however putting a lock where there previously was no lock will obviously leave a mark once removed.

I am collecting her valuables (and pet hedgehog!) the night before she leaves and keeping them at my house while she's away but it's a horrible situation for her.

My friend loves the flat (flatmate notwithstanding) so would be looking to stay as long as possible once the flatmate issue is sorted out.

googler

Your friend should invest in a lockable chest to put in the room; place all the valuables in there, strip the bed, put all the bedclothes in the lockbox, and turn the bed on its side. It won't stop the determined sleep-over guest, but it'll be easy to spot if it's been moved whilst she's away. (Sorry, crossposted - you'll have the valuables - why not take the bedclothes away too?)

Alternatively, get a portable PIR alarm (shed alarm), and set it within the room on leaving, making it clear in no uncertain terms that if there's any motion within the room, the alarm WILL go off. Secure the alarm with a cable tie or something similar to a fitting that won't move - window handle, radiator.

Fire_Fox

You cannot install a regular lock it may breach fire safety/ block an exit as well as damage the door. It may also change aspects of the tenancy and have implications for things like TV licenses. What exactly is she worried about getting stolen? Could she use a small safe for her valuables, leave them at a friends, take them with her?

There are non damaging locks designed for students to use but you still have to consider the fire safety aspect. Stick up alarm is a great idea Googler!

captainpants

Nice one googler! I'll let her know her options.

Yeah, I'm going to take as much as possible in my car. But spiteful behaviour is hard to pre-empt.

Thanks to both of you for the input. Much appreciated.

captainpants

Firefox - agreed, fire hazard is an issue too. I have had people trash my room in sharehouses while I've been absent (drunken parties to blame) and the feeling of violation is horrible.

My friend isn't sure if this girl will do anything or not but now the trust has been eroded the doubt is certainly established as to the security of her room. I think it will be ok but it's more an issue to see how we can secure the most peace of mind while she is gone.

Fire_Fox

Why say it is a friend when it is actually you? I don't understand that except on very sensitive personal issues. 'My' car.

pinkshoes

I'd definitely go with an alarm, and perhaps a hidden alarm clock that goes off at random intervals during the night so that if she does dare have anyone sleep in the room, they won't get a good nights sleep!!

captainpants

Firefox - not that it matters but it's not me. I own my own home. (so i have my own issues. hah) It is my friend. I work at a desk all day and have access to this forum so am asking on her behalf.

pinkshoes - heh heh heh

picklepick

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Why say it is a friend when it is actually you? I don't understand that except on very sensitive personal issues. 'My' car.

She's said she's going to take her friends things in her car! She's already said she's collecting her friends valuables for safekeeping whilst she's away.