Council refusal to install secure door entry system- what next

Tinuel

Morning all,
This sub-section of the forum is the one more closely related to my question.

Our block of flats, council housing, is a 1960's block with no main door/secure entry system.
Anyone can just go in off the street.

We have always had incidents of anti social behaviour, but since a bus stop was installed across the road, it got really bad.

On a regular, almost daily basis, we have had gangs congregating in the communal stairs, drug taking activity, handling of stolen goods, people drinking, urinating and defecating.

Most of the residents of our block are families, and there have been many times that the children coming back from school, have had to walk past these groups in the stairs on their way home.

The few times that they were confronted, we have been threatened, pushed and shouted at. To the point that we worry when the kids are coming back from school.

It's so bad, that we pulled our daughter from after school clubs, as the time that she arrives (4:30) is the time they are normally there and it's before we arrive from work.

When the police has been called, by the time they arrive it's usually too late.

We have written to the housing office, been there personally and all we heard was lack of funding. They also said that a door does not guarantee the end of social behaviour, as residents can let the strangers in.
We were advised to call the anti-social line of the council, but when we do, more often than not, there is no answer.

They also promised stepping up the neighbourhood patrols in our block, but I haven't seen them once.

The funny thing is that they have installed door systems to bigger blocks than ours a couple of years ago.

It seems like, as always, they are waiting for a serious incident to happen before they act. And it will happen.
Only fear of confronting has prevented a violent altercation from happening.

My questions are:

- we pay service charges, isn't the council responsibility to provide a safe enviroment in the communal areas for their tenants?
- Is the council in breach of the tenancy agreement by not providing a secure enviroment?
- Would we have a case from a legal point of view?
- Is a secure door entry system that expensive (main secure door, intercom and fobs for each flat, 12 in total)?
- Is lack of funding more important than the well being of the residents

The council already have a contract with a maintenance/building company that normally carries out this sort of work, so surely it won't cost that much?

I am really at loss on what to do next. Any tips/suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Many thanks

molerat

Installing a door system will be fairly expensive as it would need wiring to each flat. A self closing door which needs a key to open from outside would obviously be cheaper but less convenient for you. Speak to your local councillor, that is what he is there for.

jbainbridge

I'd start by talking to / visiting your councillor. Maybe have a small group of residents visit him/her.

Tinuel

molerat wrote: »

Installing a door system will be fairly expensive as it would need wiring to each flat. A self closing door which needs a key to open from outside would obviously be cheaper but less convenient for you. Speak to your local councillor, that is what he is there for.

Thanks Morelat. I appreciate that it is fairly expensive, do not know the price. But this situation justifies the expense.

We have even invited the local housing officer to visit the block from 5 till 8pm and see it for himself. Guess how many times he turned up? Big fat 0.

squeeks

Most electronic door systems have a "trade" button I imaging most people can figure out will open the door, so I don't think that is the problem as such. Just a plain old door might do the trick to separate the space from the public footpath.

If there is antisocial behaviour or illegal activity either live with it, move or do something about it i.e. report it or do something more imaginative, so it isn't suitable for those activities.

If you are worried about the kids, don't let them walk home alone...

Tinuel

squeeks wrote: »

Most electronic door systems have a "trade" button I imaging most people can figure out will open the door, so I don't think that is the problem as such. Just a plain old door might do the trick to separate the space from the public footpath.

If there is antisocial behaviour or illegal activity either live with it, move or do something about it i.e. report it or do something more imaginative, so it isn't suitable for those activities.

If you are worried about the kids, don't let them walk home alone...

There are some without the trade button. And the ones I know with the trade button, it simply does not work. The trade button does not open the door.

If it was as simple as move... And even if we did move, other families would be left behind with the same problem.

As for the reporting, we do and we have, several times to no avail.

What would you suggest as more imaginative?

Pixie5740

Is everyone in the block a council tenant? If some of the residents are leaseholders or renting from private landlords, then the leaseholders could complain to the freeholder (council). A sort of two pronged attack.

Tinuel

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Is everyone in the block a council tenant? If some of the residents are leaseholders or renting from private landlords, then the leaseholders could complain to the freeholder (council). A sort of two pronged attack.

Thanks Pixie, roughly 50% are leaseholders.
You just gave me an idea. I will print a leaflet and put it through everyone's letter box with the local councillor contact details this evening.

TrickyDicky101

I would also look to contact your local MP about this - it sounds terrible. Good luck.

Edit: Possibly also contact your local Police Commissioner. I agree attack from as many angles as possible.

G_M

First you need evidence. Have you got

* photos (use a telesopic camera!) of the 'gangs'
* list of crime report numbers from when police have been called? (how many? - get more, ring every time you see illigality!)
* statements from other residents
* statements from visitors (who were intimidated etc)
* statement from the postman etc!
* a box holding all the abandoned drug paraphenalia you've collected (be very careful of sharps!)

Once you have all this

* go back to the Housing Dept, as a group of residents (not an individual) and demand a review, and a cost analysis for a) entryphone system b) loackable front door
* go to local councillor
* go to local newspaper
* go to MP

onlyroz

For the cost, our old ex-council flat (in a block of 6 flats) had secure entry doors fitted and our contribution as leaseholders was £750.