I am living in student halls and had my front door replaced over a week ago and there is no lock on it. My entire flat is now open to anyone with access to the block to enter.
Our block door locks but sometimes doesn’t close properly and is open to the street.
I have emailed them asking to have a lock fitted but got no response.
Is anyone aware of any legal requirements they could be breaking by failing to provide a lock? Or able to tell me where I would be able to find the requirements landlords are supposed to fulfill? Thanks
4 comments
https://www.themix.org.uk/housing/housing-problems/does-the-landlord-have-to-repair-our-rented-home-7905.html
Have a read through this, from what I can tell that is classed as an urgent repair and your landlord should be correcting this immediately.
You can get this fixed yourself and deduct it from your rent if the landlord doesn’t respond quickly.
https://www.keytek.co.uk/ultimate-home-security-guide/student-accommodation-security/
https://www.ar-security.co.uk/2019/08/01/security-advice-and-tips-for-student-housing/
Making sure you have working locks is the first tip on pretty much every ‘stay safe at uni’ website.
I’d be furious in your position.
Students have been victims of serious sexual assaults by predators who have targeted residents of student accommodation. Print some of these out and raise merry hell (see if the student union can help too)
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19812174.amp/
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/man-goes-trial-accused-trying-11040402.amp
Edited to add: in the meantime, get a portable lock so you are safe when you are inside, even if your stuff is still at risk when you are out:
https://www.wcmanet.org/how-to-lock-a-door-without-a-lock/
Different types of portable lock:
https://revolar.com/best-portable-door-locks/
By student halls, I’m guessing you mean university-run? If so, I would keep going to reception / student office or what have you and requesting the lock in person, daily if you have to – you shouldn’t need to, but being a pain in their collective arses will probably get the result you need fastest.
Just noticed that you have a working lock on your private bedroom door which is good and the main thing
So it’s the door to the street that has no lock which is not as problematic.
Keep contacting maintenance and it should get replaced if that is what the uni want to do
Have you investigated though why the front door was replaced?
It be be something like students repeatedly losing/forgetting the front door keys
For clarification though, is the property university student halls or a private landlord you are renting from whilst at uni?