My landlord says he cannot put a lock on my door

[jonocyber67]

Is it true you cannot have a lock on an internal flat or house door due to fire risk? My landlord has said I cannot have one on my door or any other tennant in the house so I cannot leave my room secure is this right?

[boxtops]

No, that's rubbish. You have a right to security in your own room. The only time I could think that it might be true is if your room door is the only exit to a fire escape. I've rented in houses many times and we have always had a lock on the door to the part that we are renting.

[jackthehat]

The type of lock which requires a yale-key to the outside and a 'thumb-turn' on the inside is the recommended type for rented properties.

[Bambiagain]

Sound like rubbish to me - so by his reasoning you couldn't have a lock on the bathroom door?

[mike11111]

All the flats in my building are fitted with Chubb locks.

[boxtops]

...so is your landlord planning to reimburse you if anyone breaks into the house and steals your property from an unlocked room? or if the tenants "borrow" each others' stuff? It just doesn't hold water. Ask to see the fire certificate which says this!

[Postdog]

Is this just a lodger situation where you are renting a room. If so different rules apply to say a house of multiple occupancy where regs are in place. I had a 3 bedroom house and let out two at one time. Because it was a private house and I lived there too I wasn't subject to meeting certain conditions I otherwise might have. By the same token, I did not wish to put locks on internal doors because they weren't necessary (in my opinion), they'd cost me to install (a lot) and when I sold the house such locks would lower the value unless I took them off again.

[ummmm]

Is it right that if you have a lock on a bedroom door you need a separate TV licence? Or did my OH just make that up?

[KJN]

Agree with boxtops . So if you get burgled the insurance Company will pay out?, I don't think so, first thing they will ask is what type of locks are on the door and was it closed properly., then the next word will be SORRY no pay out. Ask the landlord if he is covering this by his Insurance then. be interesting to see what he comes up with. I have never heard of an internal flat not having a door lock.

[Postdog]

your OH just made that up - it's not classed as a separate residence.

[ummmm]

I thought it had some truth in it because when I bought my house it used to be bedsits. I received 8 TV licence demands...

[cathfromsaron]

yes absolute rubbish!

bet he has never even spoken to the fire service!

he certainly can BUT must use an inserted/permanent keyhole handle on the inside so that it can be opened without anyone looking for a key! xx

[jonocyber67]

Many thanks each and every one

[joko]

well taht would apply to any door then... unless your room is the access point to the fire escape for other residents then hes full of it...

it will be for the reasons postdog states and i for one would not live in shared accommodation without a lock...just because you live with people does not mean they are not nosy, perves, thieves or just spiteful ... who knows....

id threaten to leave unless he does it...you have a right to secure your belongings

[bushbaby_de]

The lock itself doesn't make you need a separate TV License but if you have a separate tenancy for your room (rather than a joint tenancy for the whole property) then you would need your own TV license. It's more likely to do with planning and HMO licenses - a lot of landlords think putting a lock on the door makes them need planning permission or a HMO license - most of them don't realise they can become liable for these things even without a lock on the doors.

I would press the landlord on this as you will probably find yourself uninsured if you are in shared accomodation without a lock on your own room.