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Original poster

To think people shouldn't just be walking into Dd's flat?

36 replies

SummerGardenFlowers · 02/09/2024 11:34

My DD rents a little flat, yesterday there was a bit of paper saying "fire alarm testing Sept 2nd" stuck to the communal front door. This morning at 08.30 she was woken up by a man just opening her door and walking in to test the alarms - I'm right in thinking this is against the law aren't I? She was in bed in just her pants because of the heat FFS!

OP posts:
ginsterloo · 02/09/2024 12:37

SiobhanSharpe · 02/09/2024 12:28

Odd how it's always a man, isn't it? I can't help but feel there may be some opportunism there, especially if they knocked and came straight in.
(Obviously NAMALT and not suggesting that there were any really malevolent purposes in every case, but a/you never know and b/why are they doing it? )
Could it be a transgressive thrill, what they might or might not see, illicitly entering someone's space, or just general insensitivity?

I think you'll find the vast majority of fire alarm testers are probably men so no, not really that odd at all. I think your post says more about you than it does a landlord letting a tradesman in to their property (albeit without the courtesy of knocking)

KreedKafer · 02/09/2024 12:30

Aquamarine1029 · 02/09/2024 12:07

Did they have a key? Buy a bolt for your daughter's door so she can secure it when she's home alone.

Or, given that the daughter is an adult renting her own flat, she could just buy a bolt herself.

SiobhanSharpe · 02/09/2024 12:28

Odd how it's always a man, isn't it? I can't help but feel there may be some opportunism there, especially if they knocked and came straight in.
(Obviously NAMALT and not suggesting that there were any really malevolent purposes in every case, but a/you never know and b/why are they doing it? )
Could it be a transgressive thrill, what they might or might not see, illicitly entering someone's space, or just general insensitivity?

SarahAndQuack · 02/09/2024 12:20

It's very wrong, but IME very common. I've had it both when renting a room in a shared house, and when renting a whole house. One of the funniest times, a man let himself in, and we had a downstairs bathroom where I was having a bath. I assumed it was my then-partner and jumped out of the bath enthusiastically. I've never seen a man turn tail so fast! Grin

(I did then write an extremely strongly-worded letter to the lettings agent afterwards, mind. It's not really funny!)

TheClawDecides · 02/09/2024 12:20

LlynTegid · 02/09/2024 12:03

A pity your DD did not feel able to call the police. Door should have been knocked, awaiting your DD to answer. Not an unreasonable time to do the testing though.

Suggest your DD changes the locks.

You can't just change the locks on someone else's property.

OP, did he knock and wait for an answer?

Edingril · 02/09/2024 12:19

Where did the key come from?

olympicsrock · 02/09/2024 12:17

This is not right. He should knock and wait for the door to be answered

Aquamarine1029 · 02/09/2024 12:07

Did they have a key? Buy a bolt for your daughter's door so she can secure it when she's home alone.

purpleme12 · 02/09/2024 12:06

Is this halls at uni or something and their way of telling people they'll be coming in people's rooms so to make sure you're up?

LlynTegid · 02/09/2024 12:03

A pity your DD did not feel able to call the police. Door should have been knocked, awaiting your DD to answer. Not an unreasonable time to do the testing though.

Suggest your DD changes the locks.

KreedKafer · 02/09/2024 12:02

How did he let himself in? Had the landlord given him a key?

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