Cheap efficient way to monitor housemates

macman

scarletjim wrote: »

I'm spying on MY ROOM - if they aren't in my room, then they won't appear on camera - if they are concerned at being 'spied on' by my plan, then that suggests they do intend to enter my room without my knowledge, so I'll be happy to go without those housemates thanks.

Then why not screen out untrustworthy housemates before you offer them rooms? Do you not trust to your own instincts when interviewing prospective sharers, and take up references?

scarletjim

Macman - as I said earlier, its so hard to know who to trust these days. And I'm the worst judge of character ever.

As a general point to everyone basically slagging me off on here, I see no problem with being cautious, I have several friends who have had problems of this nature, so it's not as unusual as the more naive posters on here think. And as for my lodgers having locks on their doors, I would not only support it, I would happily pay for it. The bottom line is, anyone who doesn't like it doesn't have to live with me, that's why I want to be open and honest about it, not sneaky. Anyone who knows I am security conscious / paranoid (depending on your view) can then decide whether or not they are comfortable with that. Oh yes, and obviously if I bought a girl home I would turn it round as soon as we enter the room, what do you think I am? :mad:)

Back to the actual point of the thread - Gewens, the 'tech' option link above says the product is only about £4!!! Really? Wow. If you could tell me some more about it that would be helpful. I don't know what a strike is for a start. Probably via PM, as this thread has got cluttered with people questioning my right to monitor my own property. (But thanks to those who have provided useful input obviously :beer:)

techspec

Just get 2/3 lever locks on the doors.

My last lodgers robbed me blind - AND THEY WERE FAMILY!!!

I feel guilty locking my doors now - but better that having theiving scumbags rifling though my stuff.

oldskoo1

I dont understand what's wrong with a simple lock and key

An old house I used to live In had these on all bedrooms, we never used them but in this situation they would look in place, especially on all rooms.

Gotta admit I would be curious to see inside your room now. Sounds like you have something to hide something interesting

CCTV does sound a bit strange. My brother has a web cam attached to a router which sends him emails with pictures of anyone crossing his front drive. Videoing people indoors is different.

Jaynne

RE CCTV what's best is rather than your old laptops some actual security cameras would be better and about the same cost.

Search for wireless ip camera on amazon and you can get a bunch of foscam clones. Software on these can email you on motion. Now if you were a programmer you could make something that interacted with your keyless door entry system or perhaps phone to say when you were in but I think you'd be better off with just some wireless controllable power sockets - keep the switch by the exit door and turn them off when you get in and on when you go out.

carefullycautious

I would have a lockable cabinet within my room for all personal effects that I don't want read/taken. Also do you have anywhere you could put a safe?

Far better than having to lock rooms which I think makes it a HMO(house of multiple occupation) correct me if I am wrong in this.

Jaynne

carefullycautious wrote: »

I would have a lockable cabinet within my room for all personal effects that I don't want read/taken. Also do you have anywhere you could put a safe?

Far better than having to lock rooms which I think makes it a HMO(house of multiple occupation) correct me if I am wrong in this.

Locking rooms has nothing to do with HMOs, though perhaps some councils have that as a requirement it's definitely not universal.

RaiderHammer

Are you happy for them to put locks on the doors of their rooms?

Justicia

RaiderHammer wrote: »

Are you happy for them to put locks on the doors of their rooms?

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scarletjim wrote: »

And as for my lodgers having locks on their doors, I would not only support it, I would happily pay for it.

AlwaysSomething

Is there any way we could split this thread into two: one for all those people who want to pass comment on a question the OP is completely entitled to ask. Then another thread for the few people who have offered some good help.