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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lock a flatmate out

64 replies

MrsCrabbyTree · 09/03/2017 01:48

I have to go out now and have realised that flatmate has left and doesn't have a key to come back in.

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingDeadBoyInNewYork · 14/03/2017 10:39

does a lack of common sense count as a good reason to find yourself locked out of home?

Yes. If you leave your house without a key to get on, that is entirely your own problem. Stop indulging the man child, you're not helping.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/03/2017 11:20

Hopefully the fact that he was actually locked out this time will teach him the lesson, @MrsCrabbyTree!

BiddyPop · 14/03/2017 11:25

I presume that, after the latest episode, he now knows the importance of having his own key and taking it with him, and will be arranging to have a spare key cut asap?!

Trills · 14/03/2017 12:30

If he goes out and "checks what your plans are", tell him you're not sure and he should always take a key because you are not promising to stay in until he gets back.

Then go out. Or hide.

Original poster
MrsCrabbyTree · 14/03/2017 20:44

How do you get through to some people? (rhetorical)

Female flatmate and I chatted last night. She said he was angry (not sulking) that after the first mix-up of him being locked out - I did it again! What the ???

He really thinks I should have left the door unlocked for hours. I said I would only do that if he could guarantee that my things would not be stolen. And no! That will never ever be an option.

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingDeadBoyInNewYork · 14/03/2017 21:23

You don't need to. Them taking their keys or not has nothing at all to do with you.

BBCNewsRave · 14/03/2017 21:27

I'd be a bit worried they might leave it unlocked when you're not around. Can you pre-empt that in any way?
Ooh evil you could leave it unlocked and arrange for someone to "rob" you!

Oldraver · 14/03/2017 22:03

As BBC says....

What if you go out before him and he just leaves without his keys...and presumably leaving the door unlocked...would he do that ?

Original poster
MrsCrabbyTree · 14/03/2017 22:08

I do now worry that the door will be left unlocked when I am not around even though I made it absolutely and totally clear that they must not do so.

Maybe I can leave a note on the front door. "Expensive computer equipment and other goodies can be found in flatmates bedroom". lol ..... that should ream the point home, yes?

OP posts:
SpottedOnMN · 15/03/2017 10:20

It obviously will be left unlocked. They need two sets of keys and to use them!

Floggingmolly · 15/03/2017 11:15

What sort of children have you set up home with; that they can't carry a set of keys and rely on you to let them in? Don't you ever go out?!

Original poster
MrsCrabbyTree · 15/03/2017 11:58

The key issue has only cropped up since the female partner started studying part-time last week.

Tonight we sat down and talked about their attitude to security. Then I said that if they ever went out and left the front door unlocked again I would have no choice but ask them to immediately leave. And to leave no doubt how serious I was, I actually confirmed the consequences by email...just in case I need to carry out an eviction.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 15/03/2017 12:04

Hmm. Are they your flat mates or your children lodgers? How can you evict them?

BBCNewsRave · 15/03/2017 17:46

If you ever come home and find the door left unlocked, hide all their expensive stuff and claim it must have been burglars. Grin

Original poster
MrsCrabbyTree · 22/03/2017 02:15

The numnut has done it again. And I have a headache from shaking my head in disbelief. Grin

I'm off to do weeding in the back garden so tough if I don't hear his knocking!!!

OP posts:
AnthonyPandy · 22/03/2017 02:22

Will you boot them out? Can you boot them out? Is it your flat?

DianaT1969 · 22/03/2017 03:12

Why do they only have one set of keys between them?

TheBeastInMsRooneysRoom · 22/03/2017 03:49

We have a combination front door code like this: www.wayfair.ca/LockState-Single-Cylinder-Keyless-Electronic-Deadbolt-LS-DB500-XX-L7126-K~LKS1035.html?refid=GX181716672647-LKS1035_7469157&device=c&ptid=152656796700&targetid=pla-152656796700&PiID%5B%5D=7469157 so nobody has to carry keys. But if we want to give a key to someone temporarily instead of having them know the code, it's available.

Just an option if you can't trust them to lock up properly but don't want to find new flatmates.

SabineUndine · 22/03/2017 05:53

Pity this guy's partner, she must feel like his nanny.

picklemepopcorn · 22/03/2017 06:28

Do you own the flat? How about changing the locks to Yale types that lock automatically? And do they have a key each? Is that the problem?

Phoebefromfriends · 22/03/2017 06:31

If you own the flat get them to move out. I couldn't be arsed with this crap. The guy needs to grow up and learn that as a grown up you have to take responsibility for things including keys.

honeylulu · 22/03/2017 06:36

YANBU re security and getting him to take responsibility (for himself as well as the house).
But how come you have two sets of keys and they have one between them?
And how come you can make them leave? Is it your house? By referring to them as flatmates rather than lodgers I don't get that impression.

shyturnip · 22/03/2017 07:09

Really don't get this. Why not just make another set of keys? Confused

Lweji · 22/03/2017 07:25

Yes. Third set. Why not?
They are two, two sets.

Pollypudding · 22/03/2017 07:27

Why on Earth does he not have his own key? Has he lost a few?