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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this isn't good enough? Landlord

138 replies

MillyA · 09/12/2020 09:29

The barrel lock in my front door bas been getting progressively more shit for the past few months which culminated in it breaking completely last night and rendering the door (which is on a busy main road) unlockable.

I contacted my landlord as a matter of urgency as I have children in here and need to feel safe. Instead of sending an emergency locksmith which should be the first thing he did surely, he says he'll ask a painter and decorator bloke he knows to come and "have a look at fixing it"

If anything needs doing in here he always delegates it to this bloke, to save money on calling the professionals.

The bloke is notoriously unreliable and never turns up when he's supposed to, I've had work done in here by him before.

Decorator bloke gets back to him this morning and says he will "try" and get round here today, which translates as him not coming as he doesn't even turn up when he's actually scheduled to, having left me waiting in all day on at least 5 occasions before.

AIBU to think this isn't good enough? I'm now stuck in the house with three children, one disabled, and i can't lock the front door / go out / do anything.

OP posts:
PrincessBuggerPants · 09/12/2020 10:55

@PatriciaPerch that is illegal and counts as a 'revenge eviction': england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/revenge_eviction_if_you_ask_for_repairs

I haven't experienced that myself but did have a landlord hike up my rent by 12.5% when I demanded they fixed the broken loo. The work was done and then they served me notice of the rent increase by hand delivered letter the next day Angry .

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 09/12/2020 10:55

Call shelter right now and ask for advice.

Or, if you know which station the guy works out of, call the desk sergeant and leave a message for him explaining the situation and just say that you've been unable to get in touch with him via text message (if he hasnt replied) and this is urgent as your home is unsecured. It might embarrass him into action.

Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 11:02

I'll give shelter a call yes.

I've just sent him another message saying due to the incident with DS I'm not prepared to allow the place to sit unsecured for much longer, so if the decorator doesn't get in touch by noon he needs to have somebody else come as he's notoriously unreliable.

OP posts:
Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 11:04

An immediate response from LL saying the other handyman he knows isn't available but he'll chase up the decorator after lunch.

Sigh. I know how this goes. It's going to be a long day.

I actually need to go out and pick up nappies so have had to ask my DM to come and guard the door.

OP posts:
UrAWizHarry · 09/12/2020 11:05

Yeah, that's really not good enough. I'd call a locksmith and instruct him/her to bill the landlord directly.

Tomorrowistomorrow · 09/12/2020 11:12

www.diy.com/departments/yale-km-series-satin-nickel-euro-cylinder-lock-l-95mm-w-17mm/69160_BQ.prd

This is what you need. They come in different sizes.

It take you one minute to take it out.

Pop to B&Q buy a replace, one minute to put back in £20

but your LL is a cheeky fucker as he should have done it himself last night or weeks ago.

Honestly it is as easy as eating chocolate.

Tomorrowistomorrow · 09/12/2020 11:14

@MillyA

An immediate response from LL saying the other handyman he knows isn't available but he'll chase up the decorator after lunch.

Sigh. I know how this goes. It's going to be a long day.

I actually need to go out and pick up nappies so have had to ask my DM to come and guard the door.

Phone him and say no -you need to do it NOW.

Right now. Say if he doesn't you will report him to the council and Children Services as failing to keep you secure.

ekidmxcl · 09/12/2020 11:18

This sort of thing ought to be illegal.

Perhaps it’s time to make private renting into something where it’s either mandatory to have a managing agent or at least a supervisory body that handles problems like this or can prosecute landlords for putting tenants at risk.

Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 11:20

I have a wickes down the road I'm thinking of going there with part of the broken lock and seeing if they have the same type. A quick search online shows that they do have euro locks.

Looks like I'll have to have a pop at doing it myself. Wish me luck. I'm terrible with DIY Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 11:26

Called wickes, they do have euro locks in store.

Just got to wait for my DM then pop down there.

OP posts:
DiesalFive · 09/12/2020 11:27

@MillyA

I have a wickes down the road I'm thinking of going there with part of the broken lock and seeing if they have the same type. A quick search online shows that they do have euro locks.

Looks like I'll have to have a pop at doing it myself. Wish me luck. I'm terrible with DIY Blush

Good luck, you'll do it!
RB68 · 09/12/2020 11:28

To replace the barrel on a lock is not difficult - I have done it myself and the packet for a new one has the instructions and there are you tube videos. Any handy person would be able to do it. Does the door have a bolt? Is there a back door? I would bolt from and use backdoor to go out. Stuck in sucks, but I do think you are right he is not seeing the urgency of it. A new door lock should be around 30 quid so its not a super expensive fix, although I am struggling to understand how it "broke"

Redred2429 · 09/12/2020 11:30

Keep your receipt op for reimbursement

Wellpark · 09/12/2020 11:33

I'm a landlord and this happened to my tenant. I sent a locksmith immediately.

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 09/12/2020 11:34

You'll find plenty of YouTube videos showing you how to do it. Just make sure you get your money back from the LL.

Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 11:43

Decor man has just called, surprisingly.

He said if I can go and get the lock he can fit it this evening, he's said I'm to be careful to get the right one though as the part I have which has come out is only the cylinder.

I've taken pictures of the remaining mechanism that is left in the door so hopefully I can get the right one.

I'll be keeping the receipt so landlord can reimburse me. I don't have the money to be spending on it personally.

OP posts:
Iwasonceabrownie · 09/12/2020 11:44

Have you got a local Facebook page. We often have people on ours that are having trouble with things breaking down etc.There is always someone or several people who are willing to pop round and give them a hand. We've had people with broken locks, flooded washing machines, all sorted out by lovely people who just want to help.

Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 11:48

I don't have a back door no and no other bolts on the front door. My DM is on her way to sit in whilst I pop to wickes.

If I can get the right one, and decor bloke keeps his word and comes, then it should be fixed by this evening.

If he doesn't turn up I'll have a go at it myself.

It hadn't occurred to look on local fbk pages actually as I'm not on any local ones, how lovely that people are happy to help a stranger in need though.

OP posts:
cdtaylornats · 09/12/2020 11:55

Phone the officer in charge of his station and ask for a police guard as this policemen has left you in the lurch. His boss might send a police locksmith at your LL expense.

cwtchesandprosecco · 09/12/2020 12:03

No advice on the lock itself OP, but if you’re in London get yourself on NextDoor! There’s a really great community of people who are willing to help out in situations like this.

Hope it gets sorted today.

PatriciaPerch · 09/12/2020 12:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whatamesssss · 09/12/2020 12:13

This really is not on. Why should you have to take the time and trouble to go and get the part?

I would shove a rocket up the LL backside and demand he get a locksmith over within 2 hours.

I can't believe he left you overnight in London without a locked door.

Mumdiva99 · 09/12/2020 12:25

I can't believe either that a LL thought it ok to leave you overnight without a locked door. That is completely unacceptable. I really hope this is all resolved for you asap.

(I would have asked him how he expected me to be able to get parts when I can't lock the door to leave the house....)

It is easy to do yourself - you take the screws out the side of the door and can then slide the barrel out - if I remember rightly - I used a you tube video to help. But the barrels come in different sizes so it will be really helpful if you can remove it and take it to the shop with you.

I ended up with one that wasn't quite flush to the door - it stuck out a few mm - as a friend gifted it to me which saved money. But it worked fine and wasn't a security risk.

Good luck,

Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 12:34

Total waste of time that was. The man in wickes said there's no way of knowing which lock is needed without removing the existing one completely and bringing it for comparison.

I'm getting really peed off with this now.

Even wickes think it's not my responsibility to be pratting about with all of this, it's the landlords responsibility or the person he delegates the job to.

OP posts:
Original poster
MillyA · 09/12/2020 12:35

I don't have the tools to remove the current mechanism I should add.

I have one pointy headed screw driver which is no use, I need a flat head one.

My neighbour isn't home as I've been to ask him too.

What a fucking day.

OP posts:
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