Renting- neighbours have key to our flat in case of fire?!

moneyistooshorttomention

sammyba wrote: »

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who think's it is ridiculous!! Time to ring the insurers and find out what they say about it..

Very wise:T

Only - do make sure that its VERY clear to the person on the end of the phone that this is only a "proposed" arrangement - and not the way things are at present. Its astonishing/worrying just how many people don't hear the exact message you are saying - even if you have very carefully selected the exact clear words and they are put at a level the average 11 year old would understand.

Make sure they hear what you are actually saying - rather than mishearing the first thought in their mind.

DaftyDuck

Quite a number of the rooms in my college have connecting fire doors (rabbit hatches, they are called) between rooms, with a"break glass" bolt for access in emergency. It's the only way for ancient buildings to conform to modern fire regulations. I agree, for anything where there's a privacy/insurance risk, I'd find it unacceptable but, in certain circumstances, they are not uncommon.

They are considered a boon where couples are able to get neighbouring rooms. I really don't know why...

trevormax

I would insist on a second secure door between your flat and anywhere the ground floor tenants would have access with this key.

I would also have thought that, as you are the tenant of that flat, they need your permission to enter the hallway in order to install the fire door which you can refuse to provide.

I wouldn't even wait for the insurance company to get back to you. Is an insurance company going to be able to replace something with extreme sentimental value if it gets nicked by one of your neighbours using this key?

moneyistooshorttomention

Nicked possessions aren't just a matter for "are they covered by insurance or no? and, if they are, then not a problem".

As stated - there is the sentimental value.

Having been on the receiving end of break-ins too - there is the emotional violation of the fact that someone has been in your home against your will/looking round wondering what they can steal/generally prying/etc.

The financial side barely bothered me personally (though, admitted, I was insured) - but the violation of someone having been in my home was more than a little upsetting.

I think that would be worse, in the event, if you knew/suspected who it was that had done so (or was responsible for it having happened).

There is only one thing worse than a thief violating the sanctity of your home - and that is someone violating the sanctity of your home BUT they haven't stolen anything and have just gone through all your papers/made darn sure you were going to feel comprehensively violated (which is something that happened to a friend of mine - ie when we were still young and idealistic).

Gingernutty

My late father bought a flat with a sitting tenant.

As well as insanitary conditions - open toilet sitting in the kitchen under the kitchen window, there was a trapdoor in the kitchen floor.

It led down to the flat downstairs as a fire escape.

DaftyDuck

Gingernutty wrote: »

My late father bought a flat with a sitting tenant.

As well as insanitary conditions - open toilet sitting in the kitchen under the kitchen window, there was a trapdoor in the kitchen floor.

It led down to the flat downstairs as a fire escape.

Combine the two? Saves on water rates! :money:

Such arrangements are not uncommon. However, in the OPs case, I would see no reason to allow the works. Of course, if a very generous rent reduction, and insurance was arranged....

alchemist.1

sammyba wrote: »

I have spoken to the lettings agency about it invalidating our insurance who say that it would be a criminal offence if they were to use the door so it would be fine(?!!)

However, our landlord has recently switched to this lettings agency and I am not convinced they really know what they are talking about!

I've just never known a situation like this so it's really difficult to know how to prove that this shouldn't be allowed or that he will have to put a door to separate our flat from the corridor.

It wouldn't be fine, whatever the letting agent tells you or whichever one does.
Criminals by their nature won't care about a criminal offence.

Tansy_1980

I would guess these restrictions may be to comply with HMO regulations since properties converted into flats are usually classed as HMOs. It might be worth contacting the HMO department at your local council to see what they say about it. There will usually be strict requirements in place for fire safety measures and escape routes.

casper_g

The only way I could see this working would be to install a new front for your flat at the bottom of the stairs. Then the fire exit can lead into a lobby instead of your flat, and the street door could be modified to open from the inside without needing a key.

Your landlord should insist on this as a condition for allowing the works, and would also need some financial incentive as otherwise there's no advantage. Similarly, somebody would need to offer a reason for you to go along with this as otherwise you have no reason to give permission.

I wonder though - is the developer of the downstairs flats also your landlord?

LoveLifeAgain

I agree with the suggestion of the Fire Department and the Crime Prevention Officer having a look and maybe sending in a report, it would be good for you to have their opinion and input too, they do know what they are talking about.