Legality of installing additional locks

[Bethuselah]

Hi,

I’ve asked for permission to put an additional lock on my door because of harassment/abuse (I’m trying to move away but it’s a process). I’m stuck in the property in the meantime & DO NOT FEEL SAFE.

Initially I was given permission by my landlord but then someone else denied it for a reason I don’t really understand and feel is also provably untrue (that it would make the door less safe?!). I’m trying to understand what my rights are.

Thank you in advance

It does need to comply with things like fire safety so the 'less safe' might be correct?

Who was it that rejected it and what was their wording. Can you offer to get something like a thumb turn lock

I didn't ask for a specific lock just an additional one (there is only one currently), I was told no additional lock of any type could be added, that it would compromise the security of the door and when I explained I had seen articles online saying it would improve it I was ignored.

Who is the someone else? Unless you clarify that so that we understand what rights and responsibilities they have I don't see how you can get meaningful advice.

Your landlord legally owns the door, so your landlord can give you permission to install another lock.

As I understand it, it's the landlord's decision, no one else's. Is the someone else the managing agent? If so, could you offer to give them or the landlord a key if they are worried about gaining access in an emergency? Or have they misunderstood and think you want to change the locks completely?

If all else fails, could you add a bolt? They might not object to that so much, and it would be easy to remove and make good if need be.

I'm in social housing (with an assured tenancy).

I'm in social housing. I would love to add a bolt, I was basically told the door was secure enough (the only I was given the option of changing the existing lock).

You still haven't told us who said you can't add a lock. Your landlord says you can. Who says you can't?

Someone else at the housing association responsible for dealing with home improvement requests. I had to get back to them over it and when I did it was transferred to another department.

So your landlord is a housing association? And one person there has said you can and another you can't? My advice would be to speak again to the person who said you can, get them to put it in writing (email confirmation is fine) and then crack on and put the extra lock on.

Are you paying for the lock or wanting them to?

I'm sorry I think I caused confusion in my post with how I explained things - I was told in writing that it was allowed because I sent a email through making the request initially and they emailed me back confirming it, however I was still unsure of whether I wanted (needed it) and didn't want to spend the money so I waited (things have changed I 100% need it). I was told to get back in contact with them to confirm if I went ahead with it because they needed to make a note of it. I did do this when I was ready to go ahead and I don't remember exactly how the conversation went but it ended up with it being referred to the someone in the team that also deals with these type of requests and they blocked it on the grounds of the reason I said in my OP.

The housing association have now changed their position and said I can't do it.

I'm paying

If you have concerns for your safety, could you ring the police non-emergency number and ask for advice? I can't say for sure, but possibly they might be able to provide something in writing that could convince the HA? Given that they agreed previously, it can't be a black and white issue and they could change their minds again. (I'm surprised, btw, that they seem not to think that the safety of their tenants is a priority.) Reporting to the police is probably a good idea anyway, so that they have a record of any incidents.