[inflating]

Is this now law? That sharers in a HMO cannot have room keys due to it being against the fire regs?

True?

So how do sharers maintain their security while asleep, and keep their belongings safe from borrowers or thieves when they're out their room?

Was astounded to hear this, puts me right off getting a share in future if now law.

[The Eagle]

Low level wage slaves are not supposed to have privacy or valuable property, be glad that at least you are allowed a room for yourself...

[inflating]

awake_eagle, on 18 October 2011 - 10:39 PM, said:

Low level wage slaves are not supposed to have privacy or valuable property, be glad that at least you are allowed a room for yourself...

So it's true then?

Yours are many a true word spoken in jest

[Frank Hovis]

It'a rubbish. Everybody has their own room with a lock on it. My company rents these out, there is no way we would deny anybody the right to lock their door.

[The Eagle]

Frank Hovis, on 18 October 2011 - 11:05 PM, said:

It'a rubbish. Everybody has their own room with a lock on it. My company rents these out, there is no way we would deny anybody the right to lock their door.

The OP was about fire regulations not the landlord's willingness to give out keys.

Maybe you are unknowingly in breach of fire regulations and therefore put your building insurance cover at risk?

Quote

So it's true then?

I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

This post has been edited by awake_eagle: 18 October 2011 - 11:54 PM

[porca misèria]

awake_eagle, on 18 October 2011 - 11:52 PM, said:

The OP was BS purporting to be about fire regulations not the landlord's willingness to give out keys.

[corrected for you]

Just try and take room keys away from hotel guests, or students in a hall of residence! Looks to me like a 'landlord' who wants the profit of a HMO without the responsibilities. ICBW but I have an idea those responsibilities include fire regulations specific to HMOs, over and above those for regular rentals or owner-occupiers.

Hundred to one the landlord is a petty crook trying to duck out of his responsibilities.

This post has been edited by porca misèria: 19 October 2011 - 01:31 AM

[Mr. Miyagi]

inflating, on 18 October 2011 - 10:31 PM, said:

Is this now law? That sharers in a HMO cannot have room keys due to it being against the fire regs?

True?

So how do sharers maintain their security while asleep, and keep their belongings safe from borrowers or thieves when they're out their room?

Was astounded to hear this, puts me right off getting a share in future if now law.

It's nonsense, the housing act 2004 makes provisions for HMO to be licensed with the local authority part of which is having adequate fire protection for tenants which would include, self closing fire doors, a functioning fire alarm, smoke detectors, fire blankets etc.

[Frank Hovis]

awake_eagle, on 18 October 2011 - 11:52 PM, said:

The OP was about fire regulations not the landlord's willingness to give out keys.

Maybe you are unknowingly in breach of fire regulations and therefore put your building insurance cover at risk?



I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

I assure you we're shit hot on everything to do with H&S, it's rubbish and the LL is just throwing it in as an excuse so he can wander in and go through people's possessions.

[inflating]

Frank Hovis, on 18 October 2011 - 11:05 PM, said:

It'a rubbish. Everybody has their own room with a lock on it. My company rents these out, there is no way we would deny anybody the right to lock their door.

porca misèria, on 19 October 2011 - 01:30 AM, said:

[corrected for you]

Just try and take room keys away from hotel guests, or students in a hall of residence! Looks to me like a 'landlord' who wants the profit of a HMO without the responsibilities. ICBW but I have an idea those responsibilities include fire regulations specific to HMOs, over and above those for regular rentals or owner-occupiers.

Hundred to one the landlord is a petty crook trying to duck out of his responsibilities.

Mr. Miyagi, on 19 October 2011 - 06:23 AM, said:

It's nonsense, the housing act 2004 makes provisions for HMO to be licensed with the local authority part of which is having adequate fire protection for tenants which would include, self closing fire doors, a functioning fire alarm, smoke detectors, fire blankets etc.

Thanks for the replies all.

I thought it might be BS.

I wonder what the landlord there is up to (I say landlord, it's a woman, in a posh area, and I think she used to be on TV because have seen her before somewhere - well, looks as if it might have been Crimewatch)

[cartimandua51]

inflating, on 19 October 2011 - 06:47 AM, said:

Thanks for the replies all.

I thought it might be BS.

I wonder what the landlord there is up to (I say landlord, it's a woman, in a posh area, and I think she used to be on TV because have seen her before somewhere - well, looks as if it might have been Crimewatch)

The only caveat I know of ( having been involved in student letting for years, including via Uni Accommodation Offices) is that that the door lock must be of the Yale type - i.e. openable from the inside without a key.
Where security & Fire regs do collide is on Front doors - Fire regs require them to be openable without a key from the inside; insurance cos want 5-lever mortise locks.

[My Name Is ??]

The only reason I can think that they wouldn't want to give you keys is if they were to later claim you were a lodger in order to reduce your rights. If you have the ability to lock the door to your room you become a tenant and have many more rights than a lodger who has no exclusive access to any part of the property.

[inflating]

cartimandua51, on 19 October 2011 - 08:11 AM, said:

The only caveat I know of ( having been involved in student letting for years, including via Uni Accommodation Offices) is that that the door lock must be of the Yale type - i.e. openable from the inside without a key.
Where security & Fire regs do collide is on Front doors - Fire regs require them to be openable without a key from the inside; insurance cos want 5-lever mortise locks.

You mean a Yale on each sharers room? No she has a normal lock on each room, 2 lever or 1 lever.

My Name Is ??, on 19 October 2011 - 08:13 AM, said:

The only reason I can think that they wouldn't want to give you keys is if they were to later claim you were a lodger in order to reduce your rights. If you have the ability to lock the door to your room you become a tenant and have many more rights than a lodger who has no exclusive access to any part of the property.

Aha, might be bingo! there because when I asked it turns out not to be an AST but a sharer agreement of some sort "drawn up by my solicitor" she said

[My Name Is ??]

I'd be quietly looking for another place! Not only do you not have any rights but if there are multiple lodgers you are at risk of problems with security/privacy.

[inflating]

My Name Is ??, on 19 October 2011 - 09:24 AM, said:

I'd be quietly looking for another place! Not only do you not have any rights but if there are multiple lodgers you are at risk of problems with security/privacy.

I'm not in there, yet. I need somewhere short term as back abroad soon. I told her the keys thing is news to me and not acceptable really, so searching elsewhere but will check I get a key for any I view

Thanks for your advice!

[jonb]

Frank Hovis, on 19 October 2011 - 06:28 AM, said:

I assure you we're shit hot on everything to do with H&S, it's rubbish and the LL is just throwing it in as an excuse so he can wander in and go through people's possessions.

I think he is throwing it in as an excuse to say it isn't an HMO.