Side door left unlocked in apartment block?

Orlak2410

There's a side door in my apartment block (which is right outside my door) that is left unlocked (and sometimes open) all the time. I don't like it because it's unsafe and bothersome as people are in and out all the time. I've said it to the landlord and he doesn't seem to care. Is there anything I can do about this? Bearing in mind it's not an emergency escape exit. Thanks!

artanevilla

If it's not an emergency exit surely people are entitled to come and go into the building as they please if they live there?

TheWonderLlama

report it to the OMC.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120712895#Comment_120712895

Yes but there's a hall door that all tenants have a key to lock it behind them. Not all tenants have a key to this side door so it is left open all the time.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120712936#Comment_120712936

What's that?

TheWonderLlama

Owners Management Company.

They have responsibility for the common areas in a Multi Unit Developments such as apartment blocks. You may need to either get your landlord to contact them directly or get authority from the landlord for you to deal with them as they usually only respond to owners, not tenants.

the OMC will want to secure entrances to the block to prevent undesirables/randomers entering the block and causing damage.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713111#Comment_120713111

I don't think he employs a management company. Like he has an estate agent to organise viewings and that but for maintenance etc. the procedure seems to be to just contact him directly and he'll send out an electrician, plumber etc. to carry out repairs. He's there all the time too.

TheWonderLlama

it is a requirement the all MUDs (multi-unit developments) have an OMC managed by a licensed person/company. So the apartment block will have one, you just have to find out who it is. Usually there is some signage around the block about house rules or a liability statement and that will have the company name on it. Or, ask your neighbours.

Peregrinus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120712895#Comment_120712895

If the door is unlocked, people can come and go into the building as they please whether or not they live there.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713020#Comment_120713020

If this is a purpose-built apartment block, there will be an owners management company (OMC) which is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the common areas (including the side door). Each owner of an apartment in the building will be a member of this company and if they have concerns they can pursue them with the company.

As (I presume) the tenant of an owner of an apartment, you would have to get your landlord to pursue the issue with the OMC; he's the member, not you. And you've already said that he's not bothered. You could talk to your neighbours and see if they feel as you do. If some of them are owner-occupiers, they can raise the matter at the OMC.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713175#Comment_120713175

See the landlord owns the entire building so I don't know if the same rules apply

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713221#Comment_120713221

They're all rented units and the landlord owns the entire block. It is a converted house comprising if about 20 apartments

TheWonderLlama

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713381#Comment_120713381

They do.

But the landlord may be ignoring the rules since he owns all the apartments. Difficult situation.

Maybe contact him and say that you have been seeing people hanging around and you're afraid of them causing damage. He might act to preserve his investment. Other than that, not much can be done if he doesn't want to.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713421#Comment_120713421

There has to be some kind of legal action that can be brought against him if he decides to ignore it. There has to be some kind of way that I can report it at least.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713562#Comment_120713562

He owns all the shares and he has appointed himself to manage the complex. V hard to see how that could be illegal.

Peregrinus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713562#Comment_120713562

It's not illegal to leave a door unlocked. You're only entitled to the exclusive occupation of your apartment; he can let anyone he likes into the common areas.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713685#Comment_120713685

So you're saying because he owns the building, he can do whatever he likes with it?

apache

It's a big security concern. I wouldn't be happy. Get on to your landlord again more forcibly. Dosen't sound like it is run by a management company.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058300846/side-door-left-unlocked-in-apartment-block

Start closing the door every time you pass it, assuming there is no CCTV in place.

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713804#Comment_120713804

Could there be implications for the insurance of the building I wonder?

kabakuyu

Spill some water/piss on the door and ground and tell him undesirables have started to use it as a toilet.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120714468#Comment_120714468

I do but I'm fighting a losing battle there. Everyone knows it's open and everyone uses it.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120714541#Comment_120714541

There's cameras everywhere. He'll check them, see I'm a liar and I'll never get anywhere with him...

sprucemoose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713804#Comment_120713804

its not illegal but its expected that the building (inc. common areas) is for the occupants and their guests, not accessible to the general public

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120715059#Comment_120715059

The more often people find it locked, the more likely they are to find an alternative route.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120715059#Comment_120715059

Where is "everyone" going, and what makes them unsafe?

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120715708#Comment_120715708

Or they'll break the lock. If the door is the most convenient entrance to the apartment block then no there's no way to stop people using it and leaving it open.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120716405#Comment_120716405

If you keep closing it, people are gonna start realising that it’s not gonna be available to them as an entrance. They’re gonna make other arrangements, either getting keys or using the main entrance.

Jazz Hands

is it supposed to be locked or just closed?

do you have a key for it?

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713012#Comment_120713012

Who is the door for, why does it exist? You keep saying you want it lock, but seem to be ignoring that it surely has a purpose.

Are you sure it is not a alternate escape pathway?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713421#Comment_120713421

FYI the same rules don't apply. It's not a MUD. It's a single property being sublet. The Landlord is essentially the Owner's Company.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120715059#Comment_120715059

who uses it? Do you use it?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120715100#Comment_120715100

I'd be pretty confident that occupants and their guests make up the vast majority of the users, if not all of the users.

Addmagnet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120713943#Comment_120713943

This gave me a genuine chuckle.

Speaking as a tenant myself, I sympathise with your concerns regarding security, personal safety etc etc, I see you have two options here:

1. Make sure your own unit is as safe and secure as you can make it, remember to always lock doors and windows when going out, if you keep cash or expensive jewellery at home have it in a mini-safe or lockbox somewhere hidden, don't have large, expensive items where they can be easily seen through windows or doorways, never leave your keys hanging in the lock while you 'just pop out to the car' or whatever, make sure house contents insurance is in place and suits your needs, and so on.
2. Continue to try to encourage the landlord and your neighbours to see the error of their ways, and possibly end up being considered a nuisance at best, or, as far as the landlord is concerned anyway, a liability to be 'moved on' as quickly as possible.

Orlak2410

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120716332#Comment_120716332

Mostly it's residents coming in and out of the building. They don't even bother closing the door behind them and it's swinging in the wind all night.