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I have been asked to add key locks to all windows in the house which I assume is probably related to insurance or something. Is this a normal request ?
If they are sliding windows I have wooden dowling rod fitted to the tracks. This makes it much more difficult for a burgler to force the window open, although if they really want to get in they will... It seems to work as good as anything, and very cheap.sorry if it wasnt clear, PM has asked me at tenant request. The windows do lock already just they dont have key locks. There are decent security doors and with doors have deadlocks so I dont think it will really change the security view of the pace value wise.
thought saying house would remove the question of highrise or commercial but yes residential.
its early days and part of a long list so was just interested in peoples general opinions.
If they are sliding windows I have wooden dowling rod fitted to the tracks. This makes it much more difficult for a burgler to force the window open, although if they really want to get in they will... It seems to work as good as anything, and very cheap.
Mystery
For Victoria, The tenancy act seems to say that you need locks on all windows and doors.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/rta1997207/s70.html
I read that differently. A window "locks" with the standard fitting that might have been installed with the window in 1930. My reading of that means the standard window lock will suffice, even if it doesn't require a key.
I just logged off an online training seminar that discussed this issue.
Apparently the tribunal in QLD may award damages to the tenant if the tenant sues the owner for failing to secure the property if:
- The tenant has reported the 'security issue' to the landlord/agent
- The request has been ignored or denied without reasonable grounds
- The property is burgled and the police report shows that the baddies gained access using the 'unsecured' area of the house.
It is not a specified legal obligation of the owner to provide key locked windows, security screens, bars etc (only that the premises are able to be secured)- However, the landlord does have a legal duty of care to the tenant, and can be found liable in some instances.
Naturally the circumstances are vague and open to interpretation. If the window does not lock at all - I would insist that my owner installs a lock. If the tenant wants EXTRA security, then I would propose that the tenant bear a rent increase of $5-10 per week if the owner agrees to their requests. This would satisfy me that I have done what I can to provide a reasonable response, and if the tenant declines, too bad.
I am also currently battling with a tenant who was broken into via a solid wood front door. He had requested a security screen door several times but was unwilling to compensate the owner by way of paying some of the bill, or rent increase.
This is the second time he has been broken into via this door (still no contents insurance) and the owner has replaced the door twice. The first time it was smashed down with an axe, this time, the locks were drilled out and the door ended up looking like swiss cheese. The tenant accepted the property in the inspected condition (no security screen) and it is not unusual for a house to only have a solid wood door. The property was 'secured' in that the burglars had to go to considerable effort to get in.
That one has yet to go to QCAT, (hopefully I can negotiate a way out of that) but it would be interesting to hear the adjudicator's interpretation of the law and my landlord's responsibility and duty of care.