TAS Security, leaving windows open

Hi. I'm fairly new to property management. Our tenant leaves the windows wide open when she is out at work all day (ground floor). I'm really concerned from a security point of view - it's a furnished apartment adjoining ours. Theoretically you could break through from her apartment to ours and certainly cause damage to our property (that she lives in) that wouldn't be insured if not locked.

Has anyone else had this situation ? We have asked her to lock up when she goes out and explained that it will invalidate insurance.
I'm not sure if we can require her to use minimum security standards or if she can chose to leave things unlocked. Presumably she will be liable for damage to our property if it is broken into.
Advice appreciated.

 

Is it in a security block? ie gated electronic/key entry to building?

Is the unit on the ground floor or easily accessed?

If you didn't live next door, would you have known?

 

crimsafe?

 

Hi Scott, ground floor, easy access, viewed from road. Not secure gated.
If I walked past I could see. I actually first noticed when doing work for the tenant, accessing the apartment.

 

If it bothers you, install security grilles, shutters or screens on the windows.

A tenant is entitled to “quiet enjoyment” of the property. Having the landlord check on whether or not they are closing windows seems intrusive.

 

Its perhaps possible, but its a very big maybe. Depends on the circumstances of what happens exactly.

Otherwise you can politely ask but not force the tenant to close their windows.

 

I'm a little uncertain, is it your tenant leaving the windows open or is it the neighbour?

If it's the neighbour, you probably can't do much directly, although you could go through the strata corporation.

 

Hi Marg. We live in the same house, apartments at either end. My entrance is past her windows.I'm very wary of giving as much privacy as possible given those circumstances.
I wish I could not know.

 

Hi Peter. It's the tenant, who is also a neighbour. We live at 2 ends of one house.

 

Our tenant leaves the windows wide open when she is out at work all day (ground floor). I'm really concerned from a security point of view - it's a furnished apartment adjoining ours. Theoretically you could break through from her apartment to ours and certainly cause damage to our property (that she lives in) that wouldn't be insured if not locked.

I can't seem to edit the original post - for clarification - One house has been made into two apartments, shared outdoor space. Our access is past the tenants entrance and windows.
It might be better if I didn't know but I am concerned about both my property being more liable to break-in and that she will be liable for (and unable to afford) uninsured damage in the event of a "break-in" (as a burglar would not have to break in).[/QUOTE]

 

Install security bars on the windows and up her rent?

 

[/QUOTE]
Can you explain how the property you live is affected? It seems like a long bow to me...

 

I'd be wary of any house which has been separated into two units with a plasterboard wall as fire separation may not be compliant voiding any insurance.

 

Is Ellen (the OP) suggesting that a burglar is going to break into the next door unit and then cut through the shared wall into her place?

Not a chance, Ellen. Unless the two unit’s are only separated by an internal glass door?

A burglar would break one of your windows (rather than bring along a power saw to cut through a wall) if they wanted to break into your place.

In fact, it might be less expensive for you if a burglar does go through the next door unit”s open window as you won’t need to pay to repair a broken window.

Tenants need to have their own contents insurance if they want theIr contents covered. But that’s a private matter for them.

 

Maybe just ring up the company who you have landlord insurance with and ask the question ,never any good over-thinking the process as it will do your head in..

 

@Ellen Come back, I'm waiting to read what your insurance company says.