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AIBU?

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Original poster

Door doesn't lock help!

71 replies

confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 22:54

My front door doesn't lock anymore- I live alone with 2 small children, I told the landlord the minute I discovered the problem (it shuts and seemed locked but can be pushed open) and they've told me it will be Friday before they could possibly get someone out but maybe not till Monday Aibu to think that's completely unacceptable!? We've had already had issues with them leaving heating/hot water repairs but this really takes the cake! We also don't like in area super hard hit by the snow

OP posts:
Akire · 28/02/2018 22:56

There must be someone who can change the lock sooner. I would not be happy about trying sleep knowing door was open. Unlikely as it would for someone to try it.

MsJaneAusten · 28/02/2018 22:57

Do you have any door wedges in the house? Wedge it shut overnight and call Shelter for advice in the morning?

Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 22:57

@Akire I won't be sleeping tonight, I panic everytime I start to drift off. I won't survive to Monday like this though.

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MyKingdomForBrie · 28/02/2018 22:58

Totally unacceptable! Can you jam it shut with a chair under the door handle for now? Or call your own locksmith if you’re allowed in rented..?

Mousewatch · 28/02/2018 22:58

What door is it? PVC or wooden?

witchofzog · 28/02/2018 22:59

Could you try and get a locksmith yourself and bill the landlord? Give them notice you plan on doing this, explain your concerns including that it makes your insurance potentially invalid. They will hopefully agree to this or will move a bit quicker.

Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 22:59

@MsJaneAusten nope 😢 there's not really anything I can put in front of it either

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DalekDalekDalek · 28/02/2018 23:00

Not at all acceptable! Can you ask your LL whether you can organise your own locksmith and then bill him for it?

Do you have a chain on your door?

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 28/02/2018 23:00

Could u get a chain or a bolt and attach yourself until it can be repaired

Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:01

We've tried the threatening to just do it and bill them for the heating issues and they just said well they wouldn't pay and we'd still have to full rent as well but might need to just suck it up and pay for my own sanity 😢

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Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:02

@GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough not until after work tomorrow- but if my house gets broken into at all while I'm at work I'm going to have a hell of a fight to get insurance to cover

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thenightsky · 28/02/2018 23:04

I couldn't live like that til Monday Shock

You must ring around locksmiths asap and pay for it yourself. Or could you ask someone to go to B&Q first thing and buy a couple of bolts?

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 28/02/2018 23:05

Completely and utterly unacceptable. Never mind work, I would be down the landlords office at 9am tomorrow morning and I absolutely would refuse to leave until there was a lock on the door.

NoSquirrels · 28/02/2018 23:07

Oh how awful!

Three quotes (can be a phone call, verbal) from same-dsy locksmiths & go back to LL. Advise him of cost, say you’re doing it, you’ll make next months rent less to compensate, unless he’d prefer to pay direct.

I hate shit LLs.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/02/2018 23:10

Your landlord is a total piece of shit. Can you send them an email about all of this? That way, just in case something awful happened, you would have proof of the situation?

Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:11

@NoSquirrels I'll need to talk to shelter but I don't think your allowed to just dock rent? I'm on a rolling month contract now and they're the kind of people who would terminate for something like that. I want to move but need some more ducks to line up first!

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Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:14

@Aquamarine1029 I have already and have all the emails sent from last time. And other evidence from stuff they've done but shouldn't (illegally entering property no smoke alarms when we moved in)

OP posts:
Whatshallidonowpeople · 28/02/2018 23:15

What do you think is going to happen?

icelolly99 · 28/02/2018 23:16

Oh no Op 😞 I don't understand why the landlord is so reluctant to protect you and your home (his property) it's not just the risk of someone accessing the property when you are home, what if someone came and trashed the place whilst you were out?! On a practical level how would your insurance cover you if you were burgled because of an unlocked door? Flowers

Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:18

@Whatshallidonowpeople well I live in a High crime area and home alone with 2 small children with a front door that doesn't lock- I think it's quite normal to feel a little panicked by that?

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Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:19

@icelolly99 I don't think it would- and I'd be absolutely fucked if that happen there's no way I'd be able to replace anything if it was destroyed

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NoSquirrels · 28/02/2018 23:20

I’d look to move, if I were you. Your LL sounds awful.

WRT rolling contract etc, the process of eviction/termination of contract remains pretty much the same as when under an AST, so don’t worry too much on that score. But if they’re arseholes and you need to stay, then of course I understand not rocking the boat. Just that it’s probably more hassle for them than it’s worth to evict based on £100 rent deduction in one month for a legitimate reason.

bluebell34567 · 28/02/2018 23:21

I cant believe how someone can allow a single parent with 2 young dc to sleep without a lock?

Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:24

@NoSquirrels I am looking, my youngest son is in heart failure (while other thread) so need to remain in the same area for all of his care, so I'm currently stuck here until a better place comes up 😭

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Original poster
confusedlittleone · 28/02/2018 23:25

@bluebell34567 my ll couldn't care less so long as he gets paid that's all he gives a shot about.. shelter have already got involved once regarding the heating issues and I'll be ringing them again tomorrow as well

OP posts:
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