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

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

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

He just ignores that.

But he knows that that will cost a lot.

They actually, rightly, point out that it is a civil matter and don?t take any interest.

But pointing out that it is a civil matter, does.

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

...

Who pays the locksmith ?

It isnt damaged, just replaced.

or theft if he removes

It is only the barrel of the lock that is changed.

It is completely certain that he is wrong.

Have

Not yet, but he will certainly just ignore that.

Yes, but making it impossible to keep doing that is another matter entirely.

Unlikely given that it is clearly a deliberate attempt to stop anyone else using the balcony.

No.

This isnt the UK.

The lock is changed by a locksmith in both cases.

You and your fellow owners should organise your own BBQs on the balcony every evening ...

Very likely when they don?t have a balcony to use for that.

There is already a problem with those who do not own or rent flats in that block using the communal rubbish bins.

There is when you don?t have a balcony that can be used for a BBQ too.

Him in that case.

Would only make him get the lock changed more frequently.

I would suggest a term in the lease or whatever prohibiting it and the person who does this can be excluded from having access to it if they change the lock. If this person is so anti social and has money to burn changing locks, I'd suggest they save the money and move somewhere where they can have their own personal balcony. I'm sure you can try all your suggestions, but really, I'd hope that any good locksmith operating in a building with communal areas would by courtesy obtain permission from the building owner before carrying out any work on it. Next you will find the guy getting a builder in to make him his own balcony it would be ridiculous! Brian

Would not this act come under the law as criminal damage though? Brian

They might well just want to prevent others using it due to noise etc, rather than wanting it for themselves.

They are the simplest of standard security screws. The real ones are made of hardened or stainless steel to resist drilling. eg

They only have the surfaces on them needed for tightening the screw into the material. Think of it like a ratchet. It is possible to DIY them with a needle file but they would never be as good as a properly made security screw. Damage done to a screw sometimes forces you to drill and extract them. It takes extra time and costs more to do.

Normal screw edge profile __ __ |_| Security screw profile __ __ |_/

Easy to tighten into the hole but very hard to undo.

There is no lease or anything like that. He owns his flat.

and the

It costs a lot more for a place like that than he is spending on changing the lock.

I'm sure you can try all your suggestions, but really,

There is no building owner.

before

Some owners have in fact converted their balconies to an extra room.

No it does not. The lock isn't damaged, just changed.