Someone just tried to open my door

Tigsteroonie

It could, genuinely, have been a mistake.

It won't be a tenant as they wouldn't have said "I'm looking for someone", they'd have said "Whoops wrong flat". So it sounds as though it was a visitor, a visitor who was distracted or who wasn't sure of the flat number but had mis-remembered that it was 'three doors from the stairs'. It could even have been someone drunk, thought they'd got the right door (we've had that, and we're in a semi-det house!)

Just remember, the door was locked, they didn't get in, and try to stop obsessing about it. You have your security measure (the lock).

elsien

Johndole25 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.

To clarify the door was locked they tried the handle, not the lock or anything.

Unfortunately it's hard not to obsess, I have obsessive issues, especially when it comes to contamination. If it were some druggie trying to get in, that makes it worse for me. Part of being well is knowing your home is safe and that there is nobody around trying to get in etc. In fact its a basic principal in the hierarchy of needs by Maslow and what I got away from along time ago.

The person did go into someones flat since they didn't come back towards my side of the corridor or walk past it. The CCTV will help because they will be able to see if it was a tenant and if so evict them.

You don't just walk into someones home if you are unsure where you re going. It's likely they had bad intentions in my mind

Why would they evict a tenant because someone visiting their flat tried the wrong door by mistake?
It's easily done - I've got into the wrong car before now when someone forgot to lock it and I was trying to get the key in the ignition before I realised. Anyone watching me would have been sure I was trying to nick it, but I was just having a senior moment.
Something similar seems far more likely to me than the previous suggestion of druggies. If they were trying it on they'd have gone to several doors, not just got to one flat and stayed there.
Do you have techniques to quiet your repetitive thoughts - now might be a good time to try them.

Johndole25

Thanks that perspective actually helps a lot

Johndole25

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

It could, genuinely, have been a mistake.

It won't be a tenant as they wouldn't have said "I'm looking for someone", they'd have said "Whoops wrong flat". So it sounds as though it was a visitor, a visitor who was distracted or who wasn't sure of the flat number but had mis-remembered that it was 'three doors from the stairs'. It could even have been someone drunk, thought they'd got the right door (we've had that, and we're in a semi-det house!)

Just remember, the door was locked, they didn't get in, and try to stop obsessing about it. You have your security measure (the lock).

Thanks that perspective actually helps a lot

Johndole25

elsien wrote: »

Why would they evict a tenant because someone visiting their flat tried the wrong door by mistake?
It's easily done - I've got into the wrong car before now when someone forgot to lock it and I was trying to get the key in the ignition before I realised. Anyone watching me would have been sure I was trying to nick it, but I was just having a senior moment.
Something similar seems far more likely to me than the previous suggestion of druggies. If they were trying it on they'd have gone to several doors, not just got to one flat and stayed there.
Do you have techniques to quiet your repetitive thoughts - now might be a good time to try them.

Thankyou that helps a lot.

The issue is fairly deep seated as I lived in an "experimental" project about 6 years ago where i would frequently have people try my handle and actively try and break in, so it's a huge trigger for me as I got away from all that years ago.

If the CCTV shows them entering another flat I'll have to see. I find it strange that they said they were "looking for someone", however. I will try not to let it get to me touch until there is evidence. I'll see if they tried other doors on the CCTV

Jox

I think it would unnerve anyone, having someone rattle their front door, it's like when you're in the bathroom and someone tries the door.
It's great your door was locked.
It was probably a mistake but even if it wasn't, your door was locked and they didn't get in.
Do you have a chain on the door or a spy hole?
I hope you can relax and not worry about this for much longer.

Shaun_of_the_Dead

Johndole25 wrote: »

You mean a tenant deliberately trying to break into someone else property. How isn't that right for eviction. Unless they explain themselves they are breaking the law, who knows maybe they have other offences or warning from the landlord.

No ones tried to break in and no offences have been committed. No explanations are needed.

elsien

I would suggest not bothering with the CCTV. Whatever it shows, I will pretty much guarantee that the landlord/responsible person won't take it further because someone approaching a door of two is just not sufficient for anyone to take any action over; all it will do is set your anxiety off all over again.
Chalk it up to a mistake, double check your locks if that reassures you and let it go.

Johndole25

It is not illegal fro someone to try and walk into your home uninvited? Pretty sure it is

elsien

No idea, but in the real world if the landlord has a tenant who pays up on time and is not causing any major issues (or even if they are annoying other tenants) they are not going to evict them just because there was one incident of someone trying a door handle. Evicting someone costs time and money and then all the hassle of replacing them. Not going to happen.

If that's a route you want to push for, please seriously consider the stress and impact on your mental health vs the likely outcome.