My apartment complex won't allow me to install a chain lock?

Question

Can they do that? I've purchased it myself (so I'm not asking them to pay) and I've asked them to install (so they don't have to worry about me putting holes or doing a bad job)

They've said they need to have access to apartment @ all times. ???Why? Plus You can only put a chain lock on when someone is home so....

This just doesn't make sense to me why they won't let me put one up.

Answer 1

Chains are useless, anyway. The kick bar is a much better idea, and you don't necessarily need a k**b- it will work with a lever handle, too.

I would be interested to know whether the magnetic locks are fail-safe or fail secure. What happens in a power failure? Most magnetic locks are fail-safe, meaning that if the electricity is off the door is unlocked.

Answer 2

Do you have a spy hole viewer in your door? Ask them to install one of them instead of the chain lock. It doesn't affect fire ratings so they should agree to that.

Use a rubber door wedge under the door to secure it when you are home. Put it in place after the door is closed. It is nearly impossible to open the door from the outside with one of these in place, much better than the chain which will break with a good kick.

Don't do this if you are an elderly person and might need the ambulance to get access

Answer 3

The most important thing is to have a peep hole with a good light outside.  Don't open the door if you don't know the person.

Answer 4

I'm sure that the Residential Tenancies Board in your province can tell you whether or not the landlord can refuse to allow you to put a chain on the door or not.  Personally, I'd just put it up and be prepared to loose a little of your security deposit when you move out for any damages they may claim for the holes (if you fill them well they'll probably never notice them).  I had a landlord that came into my apartment 3 times over the course of a couple of years without knocking (oops, wrong apartment twice and I thought it was empty once).  Very annoying and I wish I'd thought to put a chain on after the first time.

Answer 5

They don't work for security anyway. An intruder can just kick it in.

Instead get a anti-kick bar. It is portable and fits under your doorknob. You don't have to install anything and they can't complain about that. It wedges from the floor to under the k**b.