Re landlord and gate

[Closethegate]

I live on a small industrial unit which includes my house. Is very rural.

A month ago landlord decided to put up a barrier at the entrance to the unit. Exactly like a car park barrier which needs to be manually lifted up and down. It’s bloody heavy and I have to lean on the counterweight with my whole body just to get it to move. I can’t hold it when it comes down so it ends up slamming into the holder on the other side.

He expects me to close it every night when everyone has left the unit.

Up until now I’ve had nothing to do with the unit. I don’t particularly want to be behind a locked barrier (no idea what would re emergency vehicles getting access if I couldn’t open it). It’s bloody heavy and a pain in the arse to open and close. I often come and go at night time so I’m stood in the pitch black trying to open and close a barrier behind me.

AIBU to say I’m not taking responsibility for it? His argument is it’s added security for the land/house.

I wouldn’t bother OP. He can’t force you to close it, can he? It’s like the lock on your front door - there for security but you choose whether to use it or not.

he can expect all he wants. even if thi s was in your tenancy, it is unenforceable.

Do you mean that you're expected to go close it after them, or just that you can leave it open when they're there?

I don't think you should have the responsibility if it's physically arduous.

If it’s not in your tenancy then no, tell him you physically can’t lift it.

Well unless he has hired you as a security guard then he s being utterly ridiculously to expect you to do this. Don’t do it. If you do you will be leaving yourself open to blame if someone gets into the unit and does damage or something. It’s not your responsibility to secure his business premises.

I can’t believe you did it even once! It sounds physically arduous. Why would he think this was your responsibility?

No idea!

I turned up one day as it was being installed and he was very pleased with himself and said “do you like the new barrier, it will be more secure at night now”. I was a bit non-plussed. He said “so when everyone’s gone you just need to lock it and then they will open it in the morning”

I didn’t realise how much of a PITA it would be. I left it open twice and he messaged and said he could see on the CCTV I hadn’t closed it and could I please remember to make sure it was locked before bed

The constant watching on CCTV is another issue altogether!

If the business owners have a key to open it in the morning why can’t they close it when they leave?

Totally not your responsibility - why the hell should you come out in the dark and shut it every night. You might not even be there every night or want an early night - ridiculous

write a letter , send with free proof of posting saying it isnt your responsibility and is unsafe.

also remind him of new data protection rules regarding cctv.

If it’s not in your tenancy agreement then you don’t need to do this.

Absolutely odd expectation that you would be locking up his industrial unit every night. Just say you cannot manage it and perhaps ask the fire service for a risk assessment if he persists. You’re his tenant not a member of staff.

Yeah, he’s being unreasonable. How shitty you get will depend on whether he decides to serve you with notice and look for a tenant who finds the added security comforting.

Just tell him it's too heavy for you to lift, so if you lower it, you'll be trapped.

He's a CF imo, if he wants security for the industrial units, he needs to pay for it.

I would stop. Not your gate, not your problem. What would the landlord do when you go away on holiday? Close it himself!