Neighbours in shared building won’t lock shared front door

freckled24

I couldn’t find where to post this so hopefully this is the right area. New neighbours moved into the flat above my flat around 6 weeks ago. I found the shared building door unlocked a couple of times (upvc - needs to be locked otherwise not secure & insurance won’t pay out if broken into). I chatted with them and let them know that it needs to be locked when going out/after coming in, and the reasons why (police had advised when there had been an incident a couple of years ago where we’d come home to find someone had tried to kick in the door). All was fine for a few days but in the weeks since, i’ve come home to find it unlocked at least another half dozen times. I’ve chatted to their landlord about it, as the door is directly on the street with no front garden like the other houses.

He understands but says he’s reminded them about the need to lock the front door, but that they’re not very receptive. It’s really worrying me because my flat’s the ground floor one and if the building’s main door’s not locked, all it takes is a decent shoulder push and the front door will open. I texted them a polite text about the door last weekend, asking them to please lock it etc - they just ignored me.

I’m getting past being polite and now feeling p’d off that they don’t seem to think a basic ask applies to them, and that there’s no come back. I feel powerless. I’m worried for my home (which i own) and that should anything happen, that my insurance company wouldn’t pay out because the main building door wasn’t secured.

What can i do? I have a good relationship with the landlord as we were neighbours for 7 years before he moved - but he seems to feel powerless to enforce what is a basic request of any renters, and i’m worried to go away for Christmas because i’ve no idea if these renters will leave the building in a secure state (there’s just the 2 flats in the converted house). Can anyone offer advice? If we change the current door for a stronger upvc one, they’ll still need to actually lock it each time otherwise we’re just in the same position. It’s a horrible feeling to have the security of your home & belongings in the hands of people who don’t care what happens

borkid

Would it be possible to change the lock/ door for one which automatically locks when the door is closed? They used to be the norm but things have changed a lot in recent years.

G_M

Are you a tenant or a leaseholder?


If a leaseholder, write/contact the freeholder or management company and ask for either
* reminders to be sent out to all residents (though sounds like this will be ineffective!) or
* install self-closing door mechanism



https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-series-3-overhead-door-closer-silver/8709g


What kind of lock? If the door closes, does the lock enguage automatically? eg a latch lock?

freckled24

G_M wrote: »

Are you a tenant or a leaseholder?


If a leaseholder, write/contact the freeholder or management company and ask for either
* reminders to be sent out to all residents (though sounds like this will be ineffective!) or
* install self-closing door mechanism



https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-series-3-overhead-door-closer-silver/8709g


What kind of lock? If the door closes, does the lock enguage automatically? eg a latch lock?

The door closes and a latch engages, but in order for it to be fully engaged, you have to lock it with a key when you go out, and after coming in, turn the dial on the inside to fully engage the lock. I own my leasehold and the builder who converted the house into 2 flats owns the freehold. I’m reluctant to contact him as i want to try and keep a good relationship with the guy who is the landlord of upstairs - but as he’s new to being a landlord, maybe he’s not sure what his rights are? (All the other tenants over the last couple of years have been great so he’s not had to address any issues)

freckled24

borkid wrote: »

Would it be possible to change the lock/ door for one which automatically locks when the door is closed? They used to be the norm but things have changed a lot in recent years.

I don’t think so as it’s all built into the door frame mechanism. I’m happy to get a new door as it needs to be replaced in the next year or so. My neighbour who owns the flat ipstairs/rents it is happy to replace it (we pay halves on any building repairs, building insurance) but doesn’t want a wooden one which could be more secure/easier locking mechanism, or pay too much

G_M

If the tenants don't respond to the landlord's request, there's not much more he can do except evict them as/when their initial tenancy expires. And LLs don't like doing that without very good reason- it's expensive!


I don't see why asking the freeholder to improve the security would affect "a good relationship with the guy who is the landlord of upstairs"


end of the day, either you/the LL pursuade the tenants to be more careful, or you get changes made physically to automate the locks

PasturesNew

I'd get my own front door beefed up, that is one thing in your power and never hurts.

You can't change the behaviour of others; they would never see a problem until/unless something happened to them ... and, even if they do it right you'll be anxious every time a new tenant moves in.

There are two choices:
- find/price up/try to get the front door locking mechanism changed for one that automatically locks. Danger is you might lock yourself out one day, or the tenants might start wedging it open.
- beef up your own door/security.

kinger101

freckled24 wrote: »

The door closes and a latch engages, but in order for it to be fully engaged, you have to lock it with a key when you go out, and after coming in, turn the dial on the inside to fully engage the lock. I own my leasehold and the builder who converted the house into 2 flats owns the freehold. I’m reluctant to contact him as i want to try and keep a good relationship with the guy who is the landlord of upstairs - but as he’s new to being a landlord, maybe he’s not sure what his rights are? (All the other tenants over the last couple of years have been great so he’s not had to address any issues)

Well, the problem won't sort itself out. Every ask the freeholder if the lock can be changed, or expect the door not to be fully locked.

Another alternative might be to improve the security of your own front door. A burglar will follow the path of least resistance....

freckled24

G_M wrote: »

If the tenants don't respond to the landlord's request, there's not much more he can do except evict them as/when their initial tenancy expires. And LLs don't like doing that without very good reason- it's expensive!


I don't see why asking the freeholder to improve the security would affect "a good relationship with the guy who is the landlord of upstairs"


end of the day, either you/the LL pursuade the tenants to be more careful, or you get changes made physically to automate the locks

You’re right, sorry, i mis-tead your original email. The lanlord’s coming tomorrow so it’s an option for us to chat through then. I’ll look into my leasehold mire tonight and see what it says

freckled24

kinger101 wrote: »

Well, the problem won't sort itself out. Every ask the freeholder if the lock can be changed, or expect the door not to be fully locked.

Another alternative might be to improve the security of your own front door. A burglar will follow the path of least resistance....

I’d thought about that but at least if i sort out my own door then i’ll have more peace of mind regardless of what they do or don’t do to the main doir. Thanks : )

custardy

realistically long term a door that slam locks is what you need.
No lock that can be snibbed open either.
I would also suggest you beef up your indoor locks if you feel it could be easily shouldered open. theres always the chance of someone catching a door as its shutting.