Common property door lock keeps getting changed by one of the unit owners

[543dsa]

They aren't inconvenienced when the lock gets changed after he has got it changed.

[543dsa]

There is no lease, he is one of the owners of one of the flats.

and

[Muddymike]

If its available to everyone why does it need a lock at all?

Perhaps the miscreant changes it himself, perhaps he/she is a member of this group, perhaps we have advised them how...

Mike

[Martin Brown]

One way is to put your lock in with screws that are designed to be easy to put in but will have to be drilled out. The unscrew faces having been chamfered so that a screwdriver will slip off. Makes replacing the lock considerably more expensive for whoever is doing it (but could be very inconvenient if the existing lock fails or was filled with glue by the disgruntled property "owner"). I think basically you need to sort it out in a face to face meeting with the offender once and for all.

[FMurtz]

you do not seem to be getting it, one owner is just getting a locksmith to change the complete lock so that he is the only one with a key.

the thing would be for the property management if they knew the person doing it to charge said owner, tennant or whatever for the cost of changing it back again and if they knew which locksmith did it, tell them not to.

[FMurtz]

No. any lock smith could remove any lock and fit a new one. If you had a high security registered one, reputable locksmiths won't change them without authority but some would.

[FMurtz]

There would be legal methods to stop the rogue owner from interfering with common property

[FMurtz]

Already said, to keep non authorized people out.

[FMurtz]

Charge him replacement costs and threaten legal action.

[FMurtz]

Easily undone or removed. the problem is not locks it is disputed ownership of the balcony.

The unscrew faces having been

[Robin]

It's criminal damage if he damages the old lock; or theft if he removes it and throws it away.

You need to be sure he is wrong before taking any other action. Have you tried a solicitor's letter telling him he has no right to control access?

If he is wrong his claim is worth nothing. Genuine belief that I own someone else's house doesn't give me legal right to move in and change the locks.

[543dsa]

As I said in the original, so the general public can't use it.

No he doesn?t.

perhaps he/she is a member of

No, that hasn?t happened.

[543dsa]

His locksmith would do that.

The unscrew faces having been

And just how do you propose to actually do that ?

[543dsa]

But there is no way to make him pay that.

and if they knew which locksmith did it, tell

But he is free to use another given that it is a big city.

[Andy Burns]

But if every time the errant person changed the lock, it got superglued within hours, and they had to go through the replacement process again and again, some clue might seep into their brain ...

[tim...]

you mean he is the block freeholder?

it's impossible to own the freeholder of a single flat.

Not sure what you are saying, but if there is no MC (not controlled by him) how does the lock get changed back?

tim

[tim...]

what's the likelihood or some non authorised person wanting to wander onto someone's balcony and set up a BBQ there?

This doesn't equate with the bin example. There is something to be gained by using someone else's bin

tim

[543dsa]

Yes, but that isnt going to be cheap when it?s a civil matter.

[543dsa]

He just ignores that.

But he knows that that will cost a lot.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Get a solicitor to sort it. He is attempting to steal a facility from all of you. Solicitor costs could be spread between you.