Can a landlord refuse to put locks on HMO bedroom doors?
My son has moved away from home to take up a new job. We took him there last week and realized that there no locks on the bedroom doors. He is living in a HMO with 5 other professionals. 
We asked to have a lock put on the door to the manager. Her reply was that rooms used to be let to students and that’s why there are no locks. Students lose keys most of the time and she would often be called our at unsociable hours.
We stressed that these are no longer students but professionals. My son went to her office the next day. He was told that she does not want to carry a big bunch of keys around when next she comes to show prospective tenants.
The landlord insurance does not insure tenants contents. He “strongly advises ” tenants to take their own insurance.
My question is, have we got any rights to insist on having a lock put on the door?
How can you insure valuables when you leave the door unlocked?
Are we within our rights to put the locks ourselves?
Your help will be most appreciated.
Flo
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Member Since April 2015 - Comments: 2
10:03 AM, 23rd April 2015, About 11 years ago
A house share without door locks? Might as well place a sign on the door saying “valuables inside. Please steal”. This arrangement would be a deal breaker for me for somewhere to live. Take into account that it’s not just the tenants that can get in but tenants’ friends and partners/family. Add on any electricians and other that may be sent in for repairs and decoration. Yeah it’s about as private as the pavement outside.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12217 - Articles: 1412
10:22 AM, 23rd April 2015, About 11 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “David G” at “23/04/2015 – 10:03“:
My stepson lives in a shared house without locks on the bedroom doors. He realises that if locks were added he may well have to pay band A council tax. He’s not had a problem because he trusts the people he is sharing with.
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Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 124
12:28 PM, 23rd April 2015, About 11 years ago
Why is a question posted in September 2013 being given prominence? Drumming up clicks on the site?
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 423
12:54 PM, 23rd April 2015, About 11 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Chris Sheldon” at “09/09/2013 – 20:53“:
Is there really any such law ?
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12217 - Articles: 1412
1:06 PM, 23rd April 2015, About 11 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Robert M ” at “23/04/2015 – 12:28“:
Hi Robert
I can only assume that David G found an old thread via a search engine and decided to ask a question. What’s wrong with that?
We have thousands of people finding this website for the first time via search engines and many of the discussion threads have been long since forgotten by the people who contributed initially. However, when a new person posts a comment this resurrects former threads and comment notifications are sent to all who previously engaged. That’s how all internet forums work.
.
Member Since April 2015 - Comments: 2
3:45 PM, 23rd April 2015, About 11 years ago
I Googled it. Search engines are changing the dynamics of everything. I don’t know the website in general, only refostered to comment.
Member Since September 2020 - Comments: 1
9:53 AM, 19th September 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Yvette Newbury at 11/09/2013 – 22:19
Hi Yvette.
I don’t suppose you remember the name of the insurance companies do you??
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 293
3:54 PM, 19th September 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Hsmith at 19/09/2020 – 09:53
Yes, best one was Ensleigh insurance. I say best as they have been providing insurance since I was at University so they’ve been going a long time!