Neighbours Accused Us of Breaking Building Gate's Lock

Lcocywong on 17/11/2017 - 19:13
Last edited 17/11/2017 - 22:53

The front gate's lock in our building has been broken ever since we moved into the building.

Today's morning someone was hired by the body corporate to repair the lock. We wasn't noticed about this repair nor was notified when it is repaired.

Later today when my girlfriend opened the gate from the inside, the lock broke again.

Now another neighbour in the building saw her opened the gate and checking the lock and accused her of breaking the lock. The neighbour told us to contact our agent and organise with the body corporate to get the lock repaired.

The fact that we never knew about the repair and the lock was easily broken again just by normal handling made us feeling frustrated. The lock could have by chance got broken by anyone else using the gate.

Personally I think that we should not be held responsible for this.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks everyone!

Edit 1: Sorry for my bad English

Edit 2: These are photos of the lock after it's broken: photos. For those who asked if my GF damaged it or not: it was just a simple turn of the handle, no extra force applied, no over turning. Actually it was quite easy to open the lock, but the latch doesn't spring back to the locking position (which is the initial condition before the repair). If what she did actually damaged the lock I would say that this is a REALLY REALLY bad lock or the locksmith did a not so good job repairing it.

Home & Garden

Comments

    • robbyjones on 17/11/2017 - 19:29
      +23

      That's not very helpful. It is quite clear that the OP first language is not English however the content is easy to understand. Think about how you would feel if you asked for advice and all you got back from someone was unrelated criticism.

        • GetOffMyUnicorn on 17/11/2017 - 20:27

          Maybe read it again Oscargamer, it's pretty clear…

        • Diji1 on 17/11/2017 - 20:45
          +16

          I'm no comprehension Nazi, but wow - you need to learn comprehending.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/11/2017 - 21:40

          @Diji1:

          Lucky for you, I'm both a Grammar and Compregension Nazi, but not a spelling Nazi…

      • cocywong on 17/11/2017 - 22:42
        +3

        Thank you, anyways I added a notice for my bad English :)

  • whooah1979 on 17/11/2017 - 19:28

    Later today when my girlfriend opened the gate from the inside, the lock broke again

    did your partner damage the lock or not?

    the lock was easily broken again just by normal handling

    btw what kind of lock was it? the locks found here aren't easily damaged by normal handling.
    https://securitysnobs.com/Types-Of-Locks.html

    • HighAndDry on 17/11/2017 - 19:57
      +1

      Most locks designed for use even for residential main doors, much less the main doors to an entire building, aren't easily damaged by normal handling. Unless OP was there, I suspect the girlfriend didn't know how to use the new lock, tried to use it in a way it wasn't designed, and actually did break it.

    • cocywong on 17/11/2017 - 22:45
      +1

      These are photos of the lock: photos

      For those who asked if my GF damaged it or not: it was just a simple turn of the handle, no extra force applied, no over turning.
      Actually it was quite easy to open the lock, but the latch doesn't spring back to the locking position (which is the initial condition before the repair).

      So probably she didn't damage the lock, if what she did actually damaged the lock I would say that this is a REALLY REALLY bad lock or the locksmith did a not so good job repairing it.

  • robbyjones on 17/11/2017 - 19:32
    +3

    It is not up to the neighbour to tell you to do anything, if the neighbour feels so inclined they can contact the property manager with what they think they saw and then the property manager could contact you. If I was you I would do nothing and wait until you are contacted. If you didn't break the lock then you have nothing to worry about.

    • whooah1979 on 17/11/2017 - 19:34
      +2

      op just acknowledged that their partner broke the lock.

      • robbyjones on 17/11/2017 - 19:35
        +4

        Opening the gate and it breaks is different to breaking the lock.

        • whooah1979 on 17/11/2017 - 19:36

          perhaps op should edit the their post omitting what their partner did.

        • HighAndDry on 17/11/2017 - 19:54
          -2

          Opening the gate and it breaks is different to breaking the lock the definition of breaking the lock.

        • cocywong on 17/11/2017 - 22:56

          I think that the lock was just too old (need to be replaced instead of repaired) or the locksmith did a bad job repairing it.

          In the end it feels kind of bad luck my GF was the one who opened it, could have happened to anyone.

  • whooah1979 on 17/11/2017 - 19:40

    op, a few images would be helpful.

  • HighAndDry on 17/11/2017 - 19:45

    Later today when my girlfriend opened the gate from the inside, the lock broke again.

    That actually sounds like your girlfriend broke it…

    Serious talk though: Is there CCTV? If so, ask for the footage. If not, well it's your word against the neighbour's as to whether the lock was already broken or not… though again I don't like your chances if it was just newly replaced.

    • cocywong on 17/11/2017 - 23:04

      There was no CCTV, but the neighbour took a picture of us standing near the gate.

      I don't think it was newly replaced, just repaired the mechanism inside.

      I'd say that the lock was half broken by the time she used it, just waiting for someone to touch it and completely break.

      • terrys on 18/11/2017 - 10:03
        +1

        "There was no CCTV, but the neighbour took a picture of us standing "
        That in itself it rather weird. It sounds like they were waiting for somebody to touch the lock and then photograph them
        There would be a failry obvious behaviour for such behaviour, I'd call their bluff then ask them to explain…

        • HighAndDry on 21/11/2017 - 10:43

          That's not that suspicious if OP's gf actually broke the lock. E.g.: Gf goes at the lock, makes a lot of noise, neighbour comes out to see what's happening, sees lock broken, comes back and takes a photo since gf is still there. I mean - everyone has a phone on them these days.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2017 - 10:32

        If someone accuses you, mention this neighbor's suspicious behavior

  • Nutrino on 17/11/2017 - 19:59
    +2

    Now if the lock was installed properly, it would not have broke, I mean, did she kick it open or something?.

  • GetOffMyUnicorn on 17/11/2017 - 20:08

    If she didn't break it- Tell the neighbour and anyone else who accuses her of breaking the lock to get stuffed.

    If she did break it- Pay up.

  • Baebs on 17/11/2017 - 20:18
    +1

    Neighbours Accused US of Breaking Building Gate's Lock*

    • BuyoTheCat on 17/11/2017 - 20:55
      +1

      Trump gets blamed for everything

      • GetOffMyUnicorn on 17/11/2017 - 21:08
        +1

        Hold on, it could have been the Ruskies…

      • try2bhelpful on 18/11/2017 - 09:05

        Yeah, those pesky fact checkers get in the way of his bull….

    • cocywong on 17/11/2017 - 22:49

      Title edited, appreciate the feedback :)

      • Baebs on 18/11/2017 - 00:12

        No worries and good luck

  • BuyoTheCat on 17/11/2017 - 20:59
    +7

    The point is not WHO broke the lock but WHY it is so easily broken.

    • cocywong on 17/11/2017 - 22:57

      I'd say either the lock is too old/broken or the locksmith didn't fix it properly

  • whooah1979 on 18/11/2017 - 07:35
    +2

    but the latch doesn't spring back to the locking position

    one may wonder if the handyman did indeed fix the return spring.

    anyway, after seeing the condition of the lock. your partner should consider denying liability for damaging the return spring.

  • HeWhoKnows on 18/11/2017 - 07:57
    +1

    If you did not deliberately break the lock you are not responsible to repair it. Tell the other building resident to mind thier own business and go jump in the lake.

    • HighAndDry on 21/11/2017 - 10:44

      No… you're still responsible even if you accidentally break something.

      • coin saver on 21/11/2017 - 16:50

        "The owners corporation must generally repair common property and an owner must repair their lot – it does not make a difference how the damage occurred (whether accidental or negligent)."..If the damage was intentional the corp can take the owner to court and defer repair under certain conditions… http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Tenants_and_home_owner…?

        • HighAndDry on 21/11/2017 - 16:53

          Yes… the strata corp has responsibility for fixing anything broken on common property because only the strata corp is authorized to do anything to common property at all. That doesn't affect who needs to pay for it - they just send the bill to the owner.

        • HeWhoKnows on 26/11/2017 - 11:40

          @0blivion: Mate. You got it ALL WRONG! Take the hint.As coin saver rightly quoted for your benefit

  • wordplay on 18/11/2017 - 08:30
    +3

    if the lock broke the first day after repair/replacement it is not the fault of the unlucky person who happened to open the gate at the time it broke.
    The repair of the gate/lock is obviously sub-standard and the locksmith guys should re-do it (unless of course they were told to do the cheapest thing to fix by the body corp/landlord as they tend to do even if the tradesman says it will not hold up well.

    I believe your explanation and think you were not to blame. you can tell the agent the lock broke and needs to be fixed again by body corporate, but should not have to pay the bill for a lock that broke the same day it was repaired/replaced.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2017 - 08:34
    +5

    The lock is a rim latch lock.
    Considering they are a large enclosed box, I couldn't even break one of I tried.

    I fail to believe someone even forcing the door will break it.

    If mistreated Rim latch would break the door frame instead.

    It appears the spring is instead jiggled to release or wear tear has made latch stick inside
    inevitable that would fail again.
    If it was new then is not fit for purpose and repairer should replace.

  • coin saver on 18/11/2017 - 11:37
    +3

    The lock probably broke on your neighbour who is now trying to shift the blame

  • [Deactivated] on 18/11/2017 - 12:45
    +1

    That's great your neighbour seen you. You now have a witness that seen the lock break by wear n tear and not maliciously.

  • tomsco on 22/11/2017 - 10:32

    Any update, OP?

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