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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect him to board up this door?

51 replies

GraceMarks · 19/05/2019 20:30

I shall try to be concise here! I live in a flat which is part of a converted building. There is another flat next to me, and at one point they must have been adjoining, because there is a door in the party wall. On my side, the doorway has been boarded up and plastered over, but in the other flat, the door is still there. It opens onto a wall.

I feel a bit anxious about this, because there's a pretty high turnover of tenants in the other flat, and at some point early on in a new tenancy, I always hear them trying the door and tapping on the wall to see if they can get through! I think the partition is only plasterboard and it really wouldn't take much effort to break it down if someone was so inclined. It would come out directly into my bedroom - I live on my own and I honestly feel a bit unsafe.

On one occasion, the neighbours came and knocked on my front door and complained that they couldn't get into the "second bedroom" because the door was blocked. They were quite put out when I told them it was my bedroom and not included in their tenancy agreement...

The real problem is that the owner of this other flat has refused to board the door up because it would cost money and it isn't affecting him. The last time the flat was unoccupied, I asked him really nicely if he would consider it, but no luck. I think he thinks I'm being silly/paranoid, and maybe I am, but he's not a lone woman with friends who have actually suffered break-ins while they were at home.

Who's BU - me or the owner of the other flat?

OP posts:
DerrenBrownings · 19/05/2019 20:35

Honestly just move. Sounds awful
I bet you hear everything from their place too.

PeakedTooEarly · 19/05/2019 20:37

Does this meet fire regs? I can't see how it can possibly.

AntiHop · 19/05/2019 20:39

Do you own the flat? If you rent, I'd ask your landlord to intervene.

MaggieFS · 19/05/2019 20:41

A sort of understand why you don't like it, but don't think you can expect him to do anything. Could you put something like a chest of drawers or wardrobe in front of it on your side just in case!

UbercornsGoggles · 19/05/2019 20:41

I'd second the fire regs query. Ask building control from your local council. If it doesn't meet regs they'll demand the landlord put it right.

Original poster
GraceMarks · 19/05/2019 20:41

I can't move. I own my flat and I'm not in a position to sell at the moment. Yes, it can be intrusive with noise - I speak to the neighbours about it occasionally but they just keep forgetting!

There are regular fire inspections and it hasn't been raised as an issue, so I guess it's ok? I see what you mean but it's an old listed building and not subject to the same regulations as a new build.

OP posts:
slipperywhensparticus · 19/05/2019 20:43

Honestly he just needs to take the handle off maybe a bit of plasterboard

Original poster
GraceMarks · 19/05/2019 20:43

I will look into it, though. As I'm not a landlord myself, I don't know what the regs are. I'll speak to the council tomorrow.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 19/05/2019 20:44

Neither of you to be honest. It's understandable you would like it boarded up, but it's his property and if he doesn't want to spend the money to do it, then that's his right too. He would only be doing it to benefit uou.

So neither of you are unreasonable. Simply you both have different needs.

Would you be willing to pay for it to be done? He might allow it if it didn't cost him.

Original poster
GraceMarks · 19/05/2019 20:51

A quick Google suggests that fire inspections only relate to communal areas and front doors, so I don't think I can get him on that.

I'll have to see how much it would cost. Tbh, I already act as a de facto property agent and do the maintenance and cleaning in the communal parts, so I would like this landlord to do something in return, even if it is just permanently locking the door and taking the handle off!

OP posts:
mumwon · 19/05/2019 21:00

could you put heavy sideboard or wardrobe there? contact fire service & ask them to visit to do inspection because of your concerns

HisBetterHalf · 19/05/2019 21:02

If it forms part of the fire compsrtmentation it would need to satisfy building regs

tenredthings · 19/05/2019 21:02

It would be a cheaper option for the landlord to put a lock on the door and take away the key.

mumwon · 19/05/2019 21:10

www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/fire-safety-purpose-built-04b.pdf this looks more informative I suspect that for adapted buildings will be even more strict -ring your local fire station & ask to speak to local fire safety officer

Villanellesproudmum · 19/05/2019 21:11

Actually I think it needs to be 60 minute fire protection between apartments. It doesn’t sound as though it would comply. You can also phone your local fire station, they are a fountain of knowledge on these issues and offer free advice.

Villanellesproudmum · 19/05/2019 21:11

Crossed post with @mum, fire service are really helpful.

Bluntness100 · 19/05/2019 21:13

Thr thing is op, he's not going to do it. That's it in a nutshell.

So you've two options, either offer to pay for it if it's important enough to you, or put up with it. I'm sorry, but there really isn't a third option.

brownjumper · 19/05/2019 21:19

Why don't you brick it up? Though I can't see how you managed to buy a house that has an opening into another??!! 🤔🤔

Original poster
GraceMarks · 19/05/2019 21:43

brownjumper as I said in my OP, it's just smooth plaster on my side. It isn't a big open hole or any. I didn't know there had been a door there - and I can't very well brick up a gap in a partition that isn't made of brick in the first place!

OP posts:
DishingOutDone · 19/05/2019 21:45

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors do a free short telephone conversation to give advice on party wall issues:

RICS can offer advice on topics such as these through its free Helplines. The Helplines offer 30 minutes specialist advice free of charge on boundary disputes, party walls and compulsory purchase. For more information call RICS Contact Centre on +44 (0)24 7686 8555.

I've used them before it was excellent.

Dippypippy1980 · 19/05/2019 21:46

I am really surprised this didn’t come up on your home inspection when you bought the flat.

Could you r,over the plaster board on your side and brick it up? Even a single skin would improve safety and soundproofing?

Maybe speak to a build and see what can be done. I would hat to be separated from my next door neighbours by only plaster board.

DishingOutDone · 19/05/2019 22:12

BTW why did a neighbour think they had more bedrooms and then come to you and ask to get into yours?! Surely you know how many bedrooms you have!

lboogy · 19/05/2019 22:17

Why don't you build a brick wall in front of the door on your side. It would look like a chimney breast which you could make a feature of . That way even if someone broke through the plaster they'd be hit by a brick wall

Cornishmum00 · 19/05/2019 22:20

Ask him to lock door, take key and remove handle. As pp said I also can't see how someone can move into a flat and not know how many bedrooms it has??

Passthecherrycoke · 19/05/2019 22:21

That’s really awful, and I agree I would brick up your side. It shouldn’t be too expensive if it’s only the doorway that needs bricking (I’m assuming the rest of the party wall is regular brick?)