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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want the front door to be double locked?

184 replies

Keke94LND · 07/09/2021 10:18

So I live in London on the ground floor of a terraced house, there are two other flats in the building and there is a sturdy front door to the building, and then obviously we all have our own front doors for our individual flats.

My boyfriend and I never bother double locking the front door, but the neighbours always do, even if they just pop our for five minutes. I find it annoying, that the door is always double locked when I get in from work, especially as it is getting darker now, mainly because having to unlock the door twice adds an extra 10-15 seconds onto opening the door and, especially as you have to bend down to unlock the second lock, I'm paranoid about getting mugged or attacked from behind. I'd like to be able to get into the building as quickly as possible without faffing about. My boyfriend also has an expensive bike that could easily be stolen whilst he's faffing about unlocking the door.

On one hand I understand that the neighbours do it for extra protection to stop burglaries, but on the the other hand I think the risk of being mugged/attacked is actually higher, especially as the front door is very sturdy anyway and would be pretty hard to break into, plus we all have extra front doors as well.. so AIBU?

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 07/09/2021 10:20

If you feel your area is that unsafe that you need to worry about being attacked or having your bicycles stolen whilst you’re trying to get inside then I don’t blame the neighbours for wanting the door to be double locked to try to prevent burglaries.

Additionally it’s probably also a term of the insurance that the door is fully locked - and most policies state they won’t pay out if it isn’t.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 07/09/2021 10:20

You need a different sort of lock. It’s important for insurance often to have either a double lock or a more advanced main lock but I agree you need one that’s a. Not involving you standing outside for ages in the dark and b. Not a fire hazard. One that needs a separate key from the inside to get out is a fire hazard.

Hopdathelf · 07/09/2021 10:22

YABU about this. The door should always be double locked for the protection of all the residents.

Ponoka7 · 07/09/2021 10:22

Are you sure that it isn't in the tenancy agreement? As said it will be an insurance requirement. People should be able to feel safe in their own home and by the sounds of it the door needs double locking.

Meruem · 07/09/2021 10:23

The one thing that might be an issue is that contents insurance asks for number of locks etc. I live in a similar set up and had to fill in what types of locks are where and the house not being double locked when you’ve said it will be could affect a claim.

Plus it doesn’t matter how sturdy the door is, if the lock is easy to get past. I do see your point but I don’t think it’s something you can insist on. They have the right to lock the door if they want.

TooMuchPaper · 07/09/2021 10:24

Not involving you standing outside for ages in the dark
10 to 15 seconds is hardly ages.

Original poster
Keke94LND · 07/09/2021 10:25

@ComtesseDeSpair

If you feel your area is that unsafe that you need to worry about being attacked or having your bicycles stolen whilst you’re trying to get inside then I don’t blame the neighbours for wanting the door to be double locked to try to prevent burglaries.

Additionally it’s probably also a term of the insurance that the door is fully locked - and most policies state they won’t pay out if it isn’t.

I don't live in an unsafe area, but it's a big city where anything could happen at any time 🤷🏼‍♀️
OP posts:
WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 07/09/2021 10:25

My MIL has 2 key locks and I often worry about getting out in a fire. We have a lock that can be turned to get out without a key.

Lycanthropology · 07/09/2021 10:25

Agree with a PP: if you're in such a dangerous area, I'd have thought the more locking the better.

If you expect it, rather than be caught out or surprised by it, then it shouldn't take long. Have your keys out ready as you arrive at the door.

wonkylegs · 07/09/2021 10:27

I don't see why this is different from most people's front doors and why this puts you at any more risk than anyone else coming into their home.
Most people have a Yale and a deadlock on their outer door, the only difference is you also have another inner door.

Mintjulia · 07/09/2021 10:29

YABU. If you live in an inner city area, that second lock is protecting the safety and homes of you and your neighbours.

Sirzy · 07/09/2021 10:29

Well it’s either unsafe enough your worried about being mugged on the doorstep in which case the neighbours are right to want the property fully secured or it’s a safe area so there is no need for you to worry!

Lockheart · 07/09/2021 10:30

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

You need a different sort of lock. It’s important for insurance often to have either a double lock or a more advanced main lock but I agree you need one that’s a. Not involving you standing outside for ages in the dark and b. Not a fire hazard. One that needs a separate key from the inside to get out is a fire hazard.
A) 10-15 seconds is not "ages" and b) I can't see the the OP says it needs a key from the inside to get out, so I'm not sure where you're getting that from?

Our front door has a deadlock as well as a Yale lock. They both require keys from the outside but only have turn latches from the inside.

OP I think YABU here. As someone who also lives communally with others (albeit in a house share) I have found the sadly I can't rely on others to properly secure the house. Doors are left unlocked, keys are left in the lock outside etc etc. I can lock my bedroom door similar to the way you lock your flat, but whenever I leave I always make sure I leave the house as securely as I can, which means the deadlock as well.

I get it's a faff, but a faff is less important than security.

OldTinHat · 07/09/2021 10:30

Put up security cameras. That will be a deterrent for the 15 seconds you're unlocking the door.

Original poster
Keke94LND · 07/09/2021 10:31

@wonkylegs

I don't see why this is different from most people's front doors and why this puts you at any more risk than anyone else coming into their home. Most people have a Yale and a deadlock on their outer door, the only difference is you also have another inner door.
It's not any different to other people getting into their homes, I guess it's more just that if it was my house for example I wouldn't bother double locking. Having said that, maybe my paranoia comes from having been chased home before by two boys (In a different part of London)
OP posts:
LubaLuca · 07/09/2021 10:31

You can't choose to take that risk for the other residents and their property. Double-lock the door and practise getting it unlocked a bit quicker.

seaandsandcastles · 07/09/2021 10:32

YABU. If you’re that worried about muggings and thefts in the 10-15 seconds it takes you to unlock a door then that door needs to be double locked and you should be doing it.

SeriouslyISuppose · 07/09/2021 10:32

Agreed, @Lockheart. Your neighbours are more interested in making sure they aren't burgled than your extra 10 or 15 seconds.

Original poster
Keke94LND · 07/09/2021 10:36

@Sirzy

Well it’s either unsafe enough your worried about being mugged on the doorstep in which case the neighbours are right to want the property fully secured or it’s a safe area so there is no need for you to worry!
Can it not be both though? I wouldn't consider it an unsafe area day to day, I've never been attacked here or anything, I don't feel particularly unsafe walking around, except perhaps late at night or when it's dark, but equally a boy was stabbed to death a couple weeks ago round the corner, Sarah Everard was abducted 10 minutes away, Etc
OP posts:
TheLovelinessOfDemons · 07/09/2021 10:38

I agree, this would drive me nuts. We have our own front door, but when DM comes round, if we've been somewhere and she's in last she'll double lock the door. I've explained to her how Yale locks work, I think she might have forgotten.

Original poster
Keke94LND · 07/09/2021 10:40

@SeriouslyISuppose

Agreed, *@Lockheart*. Your neighbours are more interested in making sure they aren't burgled than your extra 10 or 15 seconds.
Tbf you're making it sound like it's just an inconvenience to me and I'm just being lazy, when it's not about that... although I do understand it's about their properties. This isn't anything I've actually complained to my neighbours about either btw.
OP posts:
Notonthestairs · 07/09/2021 10:40

You can't unilaterally decide that the neighbours shouldn't double lock the front door.

Personally I'd be grateful to have security aware neighbours.

Bigtruth · 07/09/2021 10:44

Yes, you are being unreasonable, clearly.

TenThousandSpoons · 07/09/2021 10:46

YABU and I bet your neighbours are really annoyed that you never double lock the front door.

Original poster
Keke94LND · 07/09/2021 10:48

@TenThousandSpoons

YABU and I bet your neighbours are really annoyed that you never double lock the front door.
Tbh only one neighbour does it all the time, the other one does it sometimes and not other times
OP posts: