LLD --- tenant wont lock front door

This is quite interesting to me as I own exactly such a property. Before I bought it I enquired extensively with the local authority about whether the building (as opposed to the 3 individual flats) counted as an HMO, and was assured that it wasn't, and that the fire brigade might take an interest in the 'common' area (ie the stairway/hall). I contacted them, and they didn't want to know as the property was privately owned; refused to come and inspect it even.

Now the main front door (ie the only exit) is yale-type only; no mortise lock; but I must admit the issue of being locked in during a fire by a mortise lock had never occurred to me; and more to the point, nobody in authority has taken any interest in whether I've fitted such a lock. Far be it from me as a landlord to want to increase the amount of legislation, but this seems a bit of a glaring loophole to me.

Dave

What do you mean by "the property"? There isn't one! Each flat is a separate property. The common parts belong jointly to the proprietors of the individual flats (notwithstanding that in your case that may be the same person, i.e. if you own all three and rent them out). Well, that's how things are up here in sensible-land. South of the border they may insist on doing things in screwed-up way, where the building freehold is owned by a management company for the purpose of insuring at and of maintaining common parts, while the individual flats are only owned on a leasehold basis. Up North we don't have this daft distinction. Owners insure their flats independently of each other, and responsibility for common repairs is written into the deeds (or where this is not clear enough and necessary work doesn't get done as a result, the council steps in with statutory repair orders, and in the case of almost necessary work, the soon to be Tenement Act will give owners the power to decide on a majority basis (previously it needed to be unanimous)).

authority and

described by

You'd best tell my buildings insurer then - Hiscox have insisted that I have a 5-lever mortice lock installed on all external doors in order to comply with their insurance policy.

Shano

Same here, it's a common requirement, though I accept the HMO argument.

Daytona

Sure, I know what you mean. In my case, the 3 flats were all advertised for sale together, having all been let out previously. They were all being sold as leasehold, with a management company responsible for the common areas; however I bought them as a job lot to rent out, and I now own the freehold myself, which means I'm responsible for the common areas.

I used to live in the Highlands myself actually, where I owned a tenement flat where we had the arrangement you describe: hadn't realised that was a Scottish Thing to be honest!

Dave

Err not down here it isn't ! -

"Category F covers most houses or other buildings that by erection or conversion comprise dwellings that are self-contained, but the dwellings have access via a single 'front door' from a common area. Such dwellings would normally contain all the standard amenities but not necessarily. Nevertheless, there is no sharing of amenities with the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings."

Daytona

John, Its an unfurnished let., apart from the following:- They could steal the boiler, kitchen units, and set fire to it.

I think possibly there's a lock available with the security strength of a 5 lever mortice, but the ease of use of a yale. I'll look

tonyjeffs

ps Im not with aol - but dont want spam at 9usenet at tonyjeffs dott com