Tenant putting locks on internal door?

cwcw

Some options:

1) Fit a lock to the door and either manage to repair the damage perfectly when removing the lock prior to end of tenancy, replace the whole door like for like, or accept a deduction from the deposit. Also risk of flat mate reporting it or it being picked up in an inspection and the agent not being happy.

2) Shove a big and heavy item of furniture behind the door and climb out of the window. May be tricky to then lock the window from the outside. :rotfl:

3) Set up a webcam and some motion sensing image capture software. Have it email images directly as soon as motion is detected. Capture any wrong doing on camera and have it remotely stored in your email inbox for safe keeping.

DaftyDuck

Any chance of a photo or more detail of the handle that is there at the moment? I'm wondering if whatever is there can be temporarily replaced. Loo door knob that has a key in the middle of the knob... that kind of thing.

There are travel locks available... they don't have a key, as they work from the inside as a one-way-handle... Google for images, and you'll see what I mean... On their own, useless,, as it'd have to stick out on the outside... but I'm wondering how a padlock might go along with one of them. Assuming the door opens inwards, how about some kind of bar across the outside, frame-to-frame, a bolt where the (removed) handle was, and a chain through the hole. OK, OK, completely nuts as I'm thinking aloud, and it would be bleeding obvious, but absolutely no lasting damage.... really just suggesting it as an odd idea to spark better ideas from more sane forum members! :rotfl:

Edit: Or set up an "altar" to the other flat sharer in a corner of the room, complete with several dozen photos, wisps of her hair, a couple of bits of food she left, and some strange lumps of wax and pins... alongside a vial of "blood"... she might go in, but your friend would never, ever see her again... (Apologies... but I have been up for over 36 straight hours)

go_cat

I had a a house mate years ago who was having an unsavoury relationship with a rather smelly married man, and she only had a single bed, whereas I had a double. When I went away I used to put coat hangers inside the bed and pile loads of stuff on top of it so I knew if anything had been moved :cool:

Fire_Fox

go_cat wrote: »

I had a a house mate years ago who was having an unsavoury relationship with a rather smelly married man, and she only had a single bed, whereas I had a double.

_pale_ _pale_ _pale_

Kynthia

fivetide wrote: »

I am also sure i read something about a permanent lock or at least a lock which can be closed from the outside changing the tenency as at the moment they are just renting a flat and sharing the costs (I assume) having a lock is more akin to renting a room within a flat if that makes sense? Sure someone can confirm.

I believe that is to do with taking on a lodger. If your lodger has the ability to lock their room from the outside and prevent you entering they then have 'exclusive possession'. This then upgrades their status from a lodger to a tenant of that room with the additional protection and rights a tenant qualifies for. I think this means you have now sublet part of your demised premises and maybe in breach of your mortgage conditions or your lease if it's a leasehold property. However I'm no expert on this.
http://www.lodgerlandlord.co.uk/2010/02/01/day-1-what-is-a-lodger-2/

As the OPs friend is already a tenant the lock shouldn't change this status.

SuzieSue

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

she could fit one of these, which doesn't damage door, though maybe a bit expensive for peace of mind.

Fitting instructions.

They look good. I've just ordered one for my bedroom door for when my OH is away at night as I often have trouble sleeping when I am on my own.

DiscoCat54

I used to do something similar to go cat's suggestion when my housemate used to 'entertain' in my bed in my absense. She denied it so I used to put things on my bed in a certain position and then take a photo so that I could see when I got back whether it had been used. In all truthfulness the first time I confronted her with a photo of my bed she thought I was a complete fruit loop but at least I knew to change my bedding!

Owain_Moneysaver

A cheap sheet and some carpet gripper strip underneath on the bed should produce an interesting result if it's used.

keyser666

Alarm Clock Motion Sensing Camera £17

Fire_Fox

Or you could stick with tried and tested traditions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvN-H5lh4AM