Neighbours house broken into :-(

HarryGray

Hi all,

My neighbours flat on the ground floor was burgled last night. We have a 'beware of the dog' deterrent on our front door, however we feel that this isn't really enough now.

We are in this rental property for another 10 months. I wanted to ask about CCTV, is this the landlords responsibility to install this? Or are we responsible for paying for this? It seems expensive and unfair for us to pay for this as surely any break in damage would be to the cost of the landlord?

Should we ask our landlord for CCTV outside our flat?

Thanks in advance

Bossypants

How safe is your street/area generally? Is this a one-off or a regular occurrence? I know it's scary, but if the former, CCTV is probably overkill at this stage. My neighbour was robbed once, in broad daylight, but no one else on the street was touched in the following several years I lived there. The neighbour who was robbed was the only house on the street with an alarm system, too.

need_an_answer

What type of flat do you live in?
Is it a converted house or one that is purpose built and part of a complex?

Much will depend on also how the property is managed.

If for example you are part of a private complex the decision for CCTV installation will probably lie with the leaseholders within the complex to determine if its a good investment for them.
Your LL will be one of those leaseholders but it is not solely one LLs decision to install CCTV.

in a complex the cost could run in to many thousands of pounds and would need to be paid for and decided by those who own properties there.

Theres no quick solution to this other than to ensure your windows and doors have good locks at present and that you perhaps consider a contents insurance policy to at least cover your belongings whilst in the property.
As there has been a near break in you can sometimes request a visit from the local crime prevention offer who may advise you of things that both you and your LL could do reasonably cheaply to protect where you are living.

HarryGray

Bossypants wrote: »

How safe is your street/area generally? Is this a one-off or a regular occurrence? I know it's scary, but if the former, CCTV is probably overkill at this stage. My neighbour was robbed once, in broad daylight, but no one else on the street was touched in the following several years I lived there. The neighbour who was robbed was the only house on the street with an alarm system, too.

Thanks for the quick reply. We actually sent an email to the property management team because we previously caught someone looking through our window and the door of our property. They ran off before I could chase them down though. Also, 3 months ago the house opposite us was burgled too. I have all of this on an email chain to the property management of my block of flats. I know its probably overkill, but to be honest I won't have a peace of mind for the remainder of my tenancy. I guess I can just buy contents insurance but I'd rather deter any kind of burglary, I just feel like I shouldn't have to bear the entire cost of CCTV etc..

Comms69

Why would CCTV be the landlords responsibility?


Why would the landlord be responsible if someone broke in?

foxy-stoat

You can put up CCTV inside your own flat, doesn't cost very much, its all you can do to record any scumbags who actually break in to your flat.

HarryGray

Comms69 wrote: »

Why would CCTV be the landlords responsibility?


Why would the landlord be responsible if someone broke in?

Well if someone broke in and caused any break-in damage e.g broken door/window - they would be liable for this?

Comms69

HarryGray wrote: »

Well if someone broke in and caused any break-in damage e.g broken door/window - they would be liable for this?

What do you mean?


The landlord would be responsible for repairs to broken windows yes, but they wouldn't be liable for any of your belongings.

davidmcn

HarryGray wrote: »

I just feel like I shouldn't have to bear the entire cost of CCTV etc

It doesn't sound like anybody is asking you to pay for CCTV?

need_an_answer

Just to put this into some sort of timeline for you.

As you have said there is a managing agent I have assumed that your rental property is within a complex of a number of flats.

At present it has no CCTV

If the owners were to decide that the best way forward was to install CCTV they would probably need to do that by a unanimous decision based upon the views of the leaseholders....these sorts of things usually get discussed at the annual AGM which your LL as the leaseholder will be invited to.

If the decision is made to install CCTV a number of quotes will need to be obtained from companies and if the cost to each leaseholder is greater than £250 a section 20 consultation will need to take place....this in itself can take several months to conclude before collecting monies and work can begin.

All in all,personally having been through section 20 processes for new installations I doubt very much that even if the process began today you would get a fully installed CCTV system within the next 10 months of your tenancy.

You may be better suited to finding a new rental that has an existing monitoring system after your current AST comes to an end.

Unfortunately as a tenant you have very little leverage over the managing agent or indeed the LL to change things...those decisions are made by the owners of the properties within the complex and as the tenant you either need to find a simpler work around for you personally or put up with situation until you are in a position to move

spadoosh

HarryGray wrote: »

Well if someone broke in and caused any break-in damage e.g broken door/window - they would be liable for this?

They have to have buildings insurance. I dont know the legal aspect of liability in that regard, i guess the LL is initially liable but that liability gets passed on to the insurer. Ultimately though, its not costing the LL much if a tenant is burgled (premium increase).


CCTV just doesnt stop burglaries at all. The only benefit of CCTV is with regard to the increased likelihood of prosecution, even that the odds arent greatly improved. Essentially those who have CCTV just get a nice recording of the time they where robbed which resulted in no convictions.

CCTV is catch 22. It can make you a target or it might deter someone. If youve got CCTV chances are youve got something worth stealing. My mates a police officer, spent a lot of time researching where he bought his house when buying. More or less his whole estate (new builds) has cameras and break ins are quite regular, hes recently decided he needs CCTV too. I live on a council estate with couches in front gardens, staffies, renowned family names and things (kids toys etc) left in the street, the only burglaries involve sheds, tools and bikes.

Its worth remembering that the vast majority of theft is commercial theft, not many business dont have CCTV and yet theyre no1 target for thieves. My OH works in retail and shes been called out more or less every night this week to break ins. Theyve got it all on CCTV, theyve not got their face though, they had a hoodie on.