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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be spooked out?

100 replies

ShiftyLookingBadger · 19/09/2017 22:18

Don't know whether this is woo or criminal!

We moved into our new house 2 months ago (new build but ex-showhome, site was previously a field). It's a nice neighbourhood mostly, no major crime anyways.

However, 3 TIMES now our door chain looks like it has been forcibly strained, as in the metal ring on the door end has stretched massively out of shape as through it's been forced. This ring is NOT easy to force however, I can't bend it with my bare hands, my OH needs to use large pliers.
Now, the first time we thought it may have happened when our house was the show home so we just bent it back and carried on. Then it's happened twice more (the third time being tonight, hence this post!)

The weird thing is, the chain is ONLY ever on at night time, no other time. Which means that in theory for the chain to be forced someone would have had to get our door open!! But the other lock is not forced... I have now installed 2 extra bolts but I'm not sure when this last 'bending' happened, I only noticed it today but it's possible I might not have noticed immediately.

We only have 2 kids under the age of 2 so no drunk teens trying to get in or anything!

AIBU to shit my pants?? No idea what to make of it. Where's Jonathan Creek when you need him

OP posts:

Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 20/09/2017 09:57

a woman was lying in bed and as a car went past its light lit up a silhouette of a man standing at her window

As I read this the posty banged on the front door. I think I just layed an egg.

DearMr Good idea!!

OP posts:

Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 20/09/2017 10:00

So locksmiths booked in for tomorrow afternoon

OP posts:

CigarsofthePharoahs · 20/09/2017 10:08

One of the first things we did was change the locks when we moved.
I'm very glad we did, the previous owners have turned out to be a bit shady!

Ttbb · 20/09/2017 10:21

Set up a camera and change the locks. Someone must have a copy of your key. For all you know they might've letting themselves in during the day when you are not at home too.

Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 20/09/2017 10:36

Photo as requested! The loop easily slips off the doorframe.

OP posts:

Jesterstolehisthornycrown1 · 20/09/2017 10:56

Myheartbelongsto do you know the title of that thread or have a link?
OP has there ever been any sign that Somebody had been in during the day?

PeaceAndLove1 · 20/09/2017 11:13

Looks like a different type of metal the hook.
Another example is my kitchen sink plug, I can never remember yanking the thing but it comes off the attachment now and again.
I hope you solve the mystery soon OP.

velvetcandy · 20/09/2017 11:23

I haven't read all the comments. We bought a new property last year and there was some gossip on the estate of certain residents thinking it was acceptable to take the furniture from the show home even though it had been sold to include the furniture etc. Not sure exactly what they took or what but is yours the show home? Could it be a someone trying to take something? I would put up cameras and stay awake to try and catch them as it's blatantly another resident!

themightybanhammer · 20/09/2017 11:23

That's been forced by someone with a key while it has been on, hoping to put enough pressure on to open it without making a noise

Use pliers to bend it back as if I had a key to unlock it then a little stiff wire through the gap would now unhook and release that, if you bend it back you'll know if it's been forced again as if will be bent again, may be worth also reporting to police as attempted break in although I suspect you and your dh have touched the handle outside and potentially damaged or removed any fingerprint evidence that may have been present.

velvetcandy · 20/09/2017 11:26

P.s. our developers kept everyones keys in a bucket! Yes an actual bucket and non of them were labelled what house number etc. I'd put money on it that another resident has a key for your house! Please please please please please please please catch them out before you change the locks!

ToEarlyForDecorations · 20/09/2017 11:28

Do you have a cat or dog that could jump up and hang off the chain ? That damages it and bends it out of shape.

We were given one set of keys by our Letting Agent. Apparently they only have to give one set. That means there's any number of previous tenants out there with keys to our house.

We got another set cut from the keys we were given. The Letting Agent said we could change the locks if we wish on the understanding we gave the Letting Agent the new keys. Right oh, mate. We spend our money securing the LL property so that takes the key situation back to the beginning. Cheeky bastard.

Just as a by the way we purchased new padlocks for the garden gate and the shed as the ones in-situ did not have spares. We will put the original padlocks back when we vacate.

(We also had permission to install Sky t.v., that was very considerate of the Letting Agent. Letting us spend our money to install a pretty much permanent upgrade to a house we will probably vacate at the end of the agreed period.)

FrankyStein · 20/09/2017 11:30

I think you're somehow crushing/ pulling this lock. Because I think it's highly unlikely someone has popped back three times now to mess about with your door

However, that's nowhere near as spooky 😀

picklemepopcorn · 20/09/2017 18:49

That type of chain breaks really easily- we gave up after our third! It's better than the bar type if you want to open the door an inch, but useless at keeping someone out. I'd guess someone like your DM has tried to get in when the door chain was on. It's easily done.

DearMrDilkington · 22/09/2017 09:22

Any updates op?

Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 22/09/2017 10:39

Yes! Mr Locksmith came out yesterday, I'm £165 lighter but we now have new locks front and back. Try getting in now you cocky bastard! (Please don't though)
I still need to replace the shitty chain still but at least the main security worry is no longer. DP has been perving at some camera tech and getting a little bit too giddy.

OP posts:

TheCatsMother99 · 22/09/2017 10:46

Glad you got the locks changed.

They're not all the same but I've worked with house builders in the past and some of their site foremen/sales staff could be pretty lax with keys so it could easily have been that they lost a key to your house at one point and someone else 'found it.

Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 22/09/2017 10:46

Also pickleme it's def not my DM. DP takes chain off to go to work first thing and it stays off for the rest of the day. DM shows up a couple of hours later.

OP posts:

FruBayerischOla · 22/09/2017 10:49

Glad you've got the new locks fitted.

It might be worth warning all your neighbours too.

Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 22/09/2017 10:52

catsmother It sounds so obvious now that people have said it. I feel really naive to think that there are probably so many of my house keys out there, possibly in less than trustworthy hands. I'm far too trusting!

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Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 22/09/2017 10:54

Toearly we do have 2 dogs but they are bolters so are always shut away from the front door!

OP posts:

Original poster

ShiftyLookingBadger · 22/09/2017 10:55

velvet Sorry to disappoint you! Didn't want to risk any more attempts with my kiddies in the house

OP posts:

TenForward82 · 22/09/2017 12:06

I don't get that, is the bit on the right the bit you remove to open the door? Normally it's the bit on the left...

TenForward82 · 22/09/2017 12:08

Nvm, being thick! Get it now

AprilLady4 · 22/09/2017 12:52

Iwanttobe8stoneagain · 22/09/2017 13:21

Change the locks - suspect someone who worked on the plot has a key. Inform the police on 101, urs won't be the only house it's happening to

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