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Lodger - locks on doors?

*Kat*
*Kat* Posts: 1,829 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi everyone

I've had a lodger move in and I'm unsure as to whether I should get locks on my bedroom / spare room doors?

Any advice - thoughts?
«1

Comments

  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I would have thought that was ok, just your room maybe. Keeping your personal paperwork and such in a safe place is something to consider.
  • LandyAndy
    LandyAndy Posts: 26,377 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Is there a lock on the lodger's door?
  • *Kat*
    *Kat* Posts: 1,829 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    No - I dont have any locks on the doors...

    But I've read horror stories of lodgers having locks on their doors and refusing to leave - (not paid their rent etc!)
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,475 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    *Kat* wrote: »
    No - I dont have any locks on the doors...

    But I've read horror stories of lodgers having locks on their doors and refusing to leave - (not paid their rent etc!)
    Maybe if it's self contained with a kitchen or at least sink and bathroom. I'd not put a lock on their door in that instance just in case they started claiming they had a tenancy. If just a lodger in a room, I would probably put a sliding lock on the inside of their door and possibly mine. Not sure I'd be bothered with the whole key/keyhole thing.
    2024 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • StumpyPumpy
    StumpyPumpy Posts: 1,458 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    *Kat* wrote: »
    No - I dont have any locks on the doors...

    But I've read horror stories of lodgers having locks on their doors and refusing to leave - (not paid their rent etc!)
    You think not having a lock on their door would stop that happening? Are you also making sure that chests of drawers, wardrobes, etc cannot be moved up against the door to form a barricade?

    SP
    Come on people, it's not difficult: lose means to be unable to find, loose means not being fixed in place. So if you have a hole in your pocket you might lose your loose change.
  • zagubov
    zagubov Posts: 17,943 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    A lock on your own bedroom door is a good idea..

    A lodger's room could have a latch to be secured from the inside, or if they want a lock and you're happy, you should fit it yourself and keep a key a spare key so you can have reasonable access in an emergency.

    You'll forbid them fitting their own lock, of course.
    There is no honour to be had in not knowing a thing that can be known - Danny Baker
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 18,306 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Only have thumb latches on the bedroom & bathroom doors. It hasn't caused any issues with my lodger as there is a high degree of trust both ways. If a lodger wanted a key lock on their door, it would indicate a lack of trust and I wouldn't want to share a house with them.
    Any language construct that forces such insanity in this case should be abandoned without regrets. –
    Erik Aronesty, 2014

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • lookstraightahead
    lookstraightahead Posts: 5,558 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Huh? People have locks on their doors when they are tenants, why wouldn't lodgers want privacy?
  • Bogof_Babe
    Bogof_Babe Posts: 10,803 Forumite
    Where did you get this lodger from? You don’t sound very sure of their character.

    If I was a lodger I would expect to be able to have some privacy.
    :D I haven't bogged off yet, and I ain't no babe :D

  • lookstraightahead
    lookstraightahead Posts: 5,558 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    *Kat* wrote: »
    No - I dont have any locks on the doors...

    But I've read horror stories of lodgers having locks on their doors and refusing to leave - (not paid their rent etc!)

    So you want licks on your doors but don't want your lodger to? Remember the lodge is a paying customer of yours, what is the problem here?
This discussion has been closed.
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