- This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by .
-
Topic
-
Just wondering if anyone can help on this one.
In NSW – 42 residential block with 2 x common property entry/exit doors (one from internal garden foyer area and the other leads onto the footpath/street) into each (4 all up) residential wings. Although there are prominently displayed signs to please shut and lock the doors on said doors, the doors are invariably left open.
If initial access is gained by entry of these doors being unlocked into the building and then forced entry is gained into a lot, would lot owner’s home insurance claim (if so) be rejected?
-
Replies
-
I would expect that the lot owners insurance would still pay up but I suggest that you put this question to your insurer for a definite answer. Perhaps you could also ask if your insurer would in turn pursue a claim against the Owners Corporation.
Another approach might be to find out what it would cost for automatically closing doors and card access so that the doors would automatically be locked without relying on residents to do the locking. Having done the research, you could put a motion to a general meeting to install that sort of closure to the doors. Unless you know someone on the executive committee is keen to do the research and push the issue, I suggest it would be more fruitful to do the work for them. Let them know your concern and offer to help. That way you don’t put them off-side by springing this on them fully formed but you also don’t annoy them by expecting them as busy volunteers to drop whatever they are doing now to do the work for your pet project.
Hi,
I didn’t mean to imply anything negative by ‘pet project’. Rather I meant that if you were not on the SC, offering to do more than just suggest something to others is a good strategy to get things done. As general advice I tell people that if you make the running on the project you are keen to see done, others are likely to appreciate that, leave you to it, and support whatever recommendation you come up with, so long as it is clearly well researched.
If the doors are poor quality, it might be better to just replace them with better door that will self-close and lock. Perhaps talk to a few security installers and ask for their recommendation. I expect yours is not an unusual situation.
One thing to perhaps ascertain: Do people leave the doors unlocked out of laziness because they need to use a key or do something more than just walk through? Alternatively, do they leave them unlocked deliberately because it is easier for visitors to be able to come directly to their unit door or because they can come and go without fishing out their keys from bags or pockets? Would an improved system be subverted by people chocking the doors?
Reading between the lines, I sense that Lawoftheland is looking for a stick with which to beat owners (for the very good reason that security and safety are being compromised).
I would think, if nothing else, doors left open constitute a fire risk as well as an open invitation to thieves.
I would be tempted to put up a by-law making it a specific offence to leave these doors open, then launch and education campaign letting people know they could be fined for doing so and if that didn’t work, start making noises about installing security cameras.
Most people will probably get the message before you actually do that.
If you want to be alerted when anyone replies to your posts or responds to this topic, please register and login, then you will be able to subscribe to the topic. The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers. NB: Longer threads may spill over to additional pages - look for the numbers on the bottom right, under the last post.