Property Manager Not Assisting with Security Issue

pennypincher3562

Hi

The communal hallway in our private flat has been repeatedly vandalised by intruders entering via a security door. This is happening in the middle of the night. Also a resident has been assaulted, once again late at night by individuals somehow gaining access through a security door.

Obviously there is a security issue, and I requested that the Factor (Scottish Property Manager) reviewed the security setup, and maybe even installed a camera on behalf of residents. Basically, the property managers are having nothing to do with my requests, insisting that the current security setup is adequate (obviously it is not), and that the only solution is for police to catch the perpetrators (it has gone on for months now.)

The factors also insist that they have nothing to do with the security setup, and it's basically a private matter. I'm not getting much help from residents either - I put up a sign to warn others about what has happened, and gain support. The sign has been pulled down twice. The factor also suggested I am scaremongering by putting up a sign.

Other than sell my property that I've lived in for years, any ideas what I can do? It feels like nobody really gives a stuff, and ultimately moving is best option (not easy as housing market has still not recovered here.)

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

glottalstop

The Factor, on behalf of the landlord, will be obliged according to your lease to maintain the existing security ... is there a system on the main entry door?

If that system is not working properly you should record and document/take pictures and report the problems in writing to the Factor. Give them a chance to respond but do not let them off the hook.

Absolutely you should involve the police - try the community person to start with - if there is a recurring problem.

Improving the security by installing additional systems is however another matter ... it would be something to petition the landlord about, and other residents, and you would have to agree works and how it should be paid for. It sounds like the Factor could be more helpful.

G_M

1) what response do the Factors give when you show them the multiple crime reports - you ARE calling the police each time yes? AND getting crime numbers?

2) What do the other residents say? You HAVE knocked on doors and chatted abut this yes?

3) I'm not sure what Factors' actual responsibilities are in Scotland (or in your block if it varies), or what budgets they have (do you pay an annual fee to them? How much? What for?), but if they aren't responsible or don't have the budget then either

a) you'll need to get the residents together to come up with (and pay for) a solution
b) you'll need to take unilateral action (eg put up a camera yourself etc)

pennypincher3562

Hi

In response to Glottalstop. There is indeed a secure entry system on the door, but for some reason it is not effective. The only 2 realistic reasons I can think of is a) the door is somehow being forced open (it's very sturdy and locked by powerful magnets. b) the perpetrators have somehow managed to get security fob (less likely.)

The bottom line however is that the factor will not even spend any time trying to discover how they are getting in (not good.) They are also making unlikely suggestions that the perpetrators are following residents in during the middle of the night (fantasy stuff.).

As for police, they are aware of the main incidents, but at end of day main concern is a) how are they getting in b) why the property managers will not accept my valid claim the security setup is not working.

BTW I do not have a landlord. It's a private block consisting of owner occupiers, and buy to let.

Thanks
Pennypincher3562

pennypincher3562

In response to GM.

1) The police and property managers are well aware of the main incidents.

2) I have not knocked on all doors. I am not willing to take on the full responsibility of this, when many people should be involved. I tried to get something done by placing signs in the main door, notifying residents about what has happened, and politely requesting that each resident phone the factor and ask them to review the security setup. My signs have been pulled down on both occasions by someone within the building.

3) Each resident pays the factors over 1000 a year (ridiculous), but I don't know how relevant this is, as the factors say reviewing the security setup is not their responsibility.

4) I really doubt I could single handedly get the residents to 'come together' from personal experience. I also suspect many are living in 'buy to let' properties. You have to appreciate in the modern world, many people don't care. At the moment I've got more pressing concerns (no income) and really can't act as a spokesman for 80 people.

5) I can't single handedly install a camera, it would be illegal.

It's a tricky one overall. Ideally I would like the property managers to take this one on, and implement a solution, but at this stage that is not happening. I'd imagine they have many reasons behind their stance.

Sadly I reckon my best bet is to find a new job, and move to be honest. However if I could find a way to get the property manager to take responsibility, that would be great.

Thanks
Pennypincher3562

AdrianC

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

There is indeed a secure entry system on the door, but for some reason it is not effective. The only 2 realistic reasons I can think of is a) the door is somehow being forced open (it's very sturdy and locked by powerful magnets. b) the perpetrators have somehow managed to get security fob (less likely.)

I think you've got your likelihoods wrong way round.

Start off by getting a list of fob IDs that are definitely in the possession of residents, then ask the management to remove any IDs that aren't on that list. Change the manual entry PIN, if there is one (that's the most likely route).

Is there an entryphone? Are you 110% sure that they aren't being let in by a resident? That everybody's making sure the door is shut-shut?

Human factors are _always_ the most likely cause.

pennypincher3562

Hi Adrian

That is an interesting perspective, and thanks. Though I am still trying to get over the first hurdle, that is to get the property manager to even agree the security needs looked at. They are very defiant, that it does not need checked, and the problems will only end when/if the police catch the perpetrators.

But what I don't get is, why doesn't the factor have the sense to try out such a simple solution? Is it possible our security system does not work like that (or are all entry systems the same.)

Could you explain to me from a non technical perspective, what would changing the PIN achieve?

In another property I lived in the garage was often broken into, and we were constantly send letters to change the 4 digit pin on our fobs - in my current property there is no ability to change the pin on the fob (it's just a lump of plastic, and cannot be opened.)

As for letting people in, the factor suggested this, and I'm almost 100% sure this is not case. The incidents normally happen in the middle of the night, and for someone to be buzzed at 1am and repeatedly let them in, would be very odd behaviour indeed. Most people would be quite irate after some stranger starts buzzing their door at 1am.

PennyPincher3562

Elfbert

In my old block of flat every few years we all had to turn in our old fobs and get new ones (or we might just have had them reset, I can't remember now!), because of the high number of tenants vs. owner-occupiers (I was a tenant) who left the property, but never surrendered all the fobs.

And, OP, are you sure these people are getting IN in the early hours? Not some bunch of mates who hang out at one of the flats, get drunk/whatever, then, when leaving the building in the early hours, take the opportunity to cause some mayhem and smash the place up? Maybe someone has issues with the landlord of their flat/factor and like to cause damage. Or just have no respect for anyone.

I fear that out of 80 people, you might have the odd few who don't keep to normal office hours

pennypincher3562

Hi

I've been here for 8 years, but there has been 'no fob handing in session.' But like I said my main hurdle at moment is even getting the factor to admit there is a secure entrance issue, and then solve it.

And as for the reference to people getting in - they are almost certainly coming from out with the building, this was backed up by comments from several 'reliable' sources. On top of these reliable sources - I'm personally 110% certain they are coming in via the front door (and are not guests.)

Cheers
PennyPincher

AdrianC

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Could you explain to me from a non technical perspective, what would changing the PIN achieve?

I'm thinking it's like my old man's flats, where you can get in using a fob or by putting a PIN into the keypad outside. I don't have a fob for his place, but I know the PIN, so I can get in 24x7 anyway.

Change the PIN, I can't get in.
If I told you the PIN, you - and anybody you told - could get in now, but if the PIN was changed, that extended circle is closed off.
If I'd tapped the PIN in without noticing you were looking over my shoulder, and you told somebody who told somebody else who told somebody else...

pennypincher3562

Hi Adrian

Thanks for the response, I don't think our setup is like yours however. We don't have any pins.

Thanks for trying to help out though :-)

I've been sitting thinking about this tonight, and to be honest I think I will just phone tomorrow and state I want to make an official complaint to the head of the property management company.

Cheers
Pennypincher3562