Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Residential Metal Security Gates Beings Removed By Homes For Haringey
Dear all
If you're a tenant, (although this could apply to leaseholders too), Homes for Haringey will FORCE you to remove your personally purchased security gate, if you have one.
16 years ago, I was attacked outside my street door, (second floor), and immediately went out to buy a gate. Tottenham isn't the safest of areas and I figured I should take action to safeguard myself and my home.
I've had my gate from that time, but since Apollo have been changing the street doors where I live, tenants are no longer permitted to keep their gates. HfH say, "it's a health and safety risk". However, I've spoken to the Police, who say, they're only too pleased people are making their homes more secure and can't understand the need to remove them. I also spoke to the Fire service who say, if they really need to get in, they'll get in - gate or not, and they couldn't understand why the gate had to go either.
Can anyone out there help me, please? I've written to David Lammy and got absolutely nowhere. Living alone, I'll no longer feel safe without my security gate. Perhaps there's a kindly solicitor who could lend me a hand. I look forward to hearing from anyone, as my peace of mind is at stake.
I even asked Homes for Haringey if they would give me a little time to save for a 'good' alarm, they say no. I don't see what difference a few weeks would make. I'm getting nowhere. Does anyone have any advice for me please?
Many thanks
Jeanette
Tags for Forum Posts: Apollo, Haringey, Tottenham, gate, metal, protect, protection, remove, safety, security
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letter.pdf, 113 KB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gerry Platt on
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I've had a gate for over 20 years & never used it, reason: If someone is being followed they will want to get indoors as quickly as possible; so 1 lock is better than 2! It's better to have one good door?
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Permalink Reply by Marek on
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I agree that amount of possible locks on the way to your flat does not increase security.
A proper secure door are much better than 2 or 3 doors on the way to safe home
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Permalink Reply by james walsh on
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Are you talking about a security gate to your own personal flat door because the letter mentions a gate in 'the communal area'. I'm not a lawyer but i'd be suprised if HfH can legally do this without your permission. Have they offered compensation for the costs you incurred fitting the gate ? I urge you to contact journalist Flora Drury at Broadway Ham & High Newspaper Telephone: 020 7433 6240. I'm pretty sure this would make a good story. (she helped me when i had landlord probs) HfH need to be shamed into action, it's not right to treat tenants this way. Go for it and good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Abi on
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Was about to say exactly the same thing re. the local press! If it is really as bad as it sounds then that is appalling and HfH need to be called out on it. Good luck!!
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Permalink Reply by Jeanette Sitton on
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Many thanks for this. Yes, it's a security gate I installed to my personal Haringey-rented flat. I'll call the Ham & High then. I disagree with some that one door is better than two. The reason: once the street door is opened, anyone could be standing outside. What's more, the brand new door that was installed by Apollo, has a spy glass far too high up for me to use. I'm about 5ft 2", and the glass is about 5ft 6". I need to stand on something and keep moving it out of the way every time I go out. Not a workable solution. That said, as I can't see the person knocking, for example, I have to ask them to speak loudly. Opening the door to someone, knowing there are bars between me and them, is so reassuring.
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Hi Jeanette,
Having dealt with HfH for over 6 years now, I can tell you one thing...They are never wrong, or at least they would never admit it, I find they are wrong frequently.
I received a letter last night with all the new clauses to the lease that are coming into effect immediately, this being one of them. They will say you have no right to keep it as you installed your gate (presumably) without permission, I even had to get their permission to have my burglar alarm installed as it was drilling through their wall.
I appreciate this is not what you want to hear and I hope you have more luck dealing with them than I ever did but what I can offer by way of positive advice is the alarm company I used, they were very reasonably priced. Securealot http://www.securealot.co.uk/home_security.php
I wish you all the best in taking on HfH!
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What Apollo try to do is promoting GERDA door installation.
I have seen a little propaganda movie showing how long the fire brigade needs to pass the door with metal gate. It really makes difference. Imagine the situation the a little brigade needs to bring their equipment to third floor to pass your metal gate. It takes about 5-6 minutes longer with closed metal gate. Of course they can pass any gate if they need to but when time matters it makes difference.
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Permalink Reply by Felicitá on
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Hi Jeanette,
A friend of mine was attacked outside her home a few years ago. It affected her so badly that she ended up leaving London because she felt so unsafe, so I can understand what an awful situation this must be for you. Obviously one's desire to feel safe is extremely important and this should be taken seriously by your housing association. Could you contact the local media? Perhaps try to contact other tenants who have also bought security gates and are being told to take them down, to see if they will want to speak to the media with you? There's power in numbers & bad press for an organisation is a powerful thing.
Have you contacted the Citizens Advice Bureau? This is obviously a blanket policy by HfH that has never been questioned before and the more people challenging it - or a story run in the local media would perhaps make them sit up and take notice of the issues you are raising. Are they prepared to pay for an alternative form of security after they take away the gate? Perhaps also try contacting Shelter - whilst they might not have the exact answer, they are extremely helpful in being able to point you in the right direction.
It might be worth asking the police if they would be prepared to make a statement about their views on strengthening the security of your home. You should reiterate to HfH that you have had this gate for 16 years and bombard them with calls until they agree to meet with you to discuss the situation. Worse case scenario - perhaps go to your doctor and explain that this is causing you an extreme amount of stress at the thought of being unsafe in your own home? I know it seems extreme but a letter from your doctor supporting you may help your case.
Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Seema Chandwani on
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Hi Jeanette
I can empathise, I had my door kicked in about 8 years ago at 2pm in the afternoon. It completely shook my confidence in feeling safe. Luckily I was not in (at the dentist having a root canal... imagine trying to call the police mumbling) and my neighbours had stopped an actual entry. The door frame/door was damaged and the HfH repair (they didnt replace) wasn't great.
However, the street doors on our road have also been replaced, about 2 years ago. Can I suggest you look at your new replacement door? The ones they put in on our road were amazing, it has a multi-lock mechanism so one key triggers 10 locks (5 on each side of the door evenly spaced out). This is apparently really good as it means the door has less weak points and is almost like having 10 front door locks.
After I got my door kicked in, I put in another lock, so I had 3 locks and it came with flaws as when I did feel a bit unsafe coming home late, by the time I unlocked 3 seperate locks, if I was getting followed my attacker could gain time on me as it took so long to open the door. Defeated objective for me.
Im really happy with my front door, amazing technology. But i appreciate our circumstances and feelings are different, just hope it helps
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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This is not quite absurd. Some people have locked themselves so securely into their flats that they may not be able to get out quickly in case of a fire. But it's plainly a matter of balance. Personally I'd want the advice of the fire brigade as well as the police.
I don't recall it being discussed by the Homes for Haringey Board. But it's possible this came up at one of the committees. (I've now been chucked off HfH as part of my punishment for thinking for myself. )
Haven't they written to tenants and leaseholders explaining the reasons for this policy?
Do let us know.
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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Hi Jeanette - Maybe my advice for you in my last post was rash. Check that they might want to fit doors that are actually 'better' for security and are easier/quicker to deploy ? Above all you have to not only be safe but FEEL safe/comfortable. Good luck
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I used to own a leasehold ex-council flat in Hackney, and when they did double glazing as part of decent homes they clearly stated that any bars on windows would be removed & not replaced.
The rationale was fire safety - basically, if you have bars there is a good chance that you can't get out (& the fire brigade can't get in).
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