Putting On Security Bars? (apartment, lease, rentals, security deposit)

[pitt_transplant]

Soon to be moving...I noticed on the building that there were seemingly new security bars on the lower level. I checked the names on the mailboxes and they were all female...Its a city apartment. The LL said there were not break ins. The windows that are barred up are the female apts and can be seen well from the street and parking lot.

Anyway. The one unit I am moving into didnt have the security bars. But it was also a guy living there. Its first floor but up on a mezzanine.

I am going to ask this week to have them installed.
So...My question is:

Do they have to put them on if I ask?
Can they charge me?
Should I ask before I move in or after?

I dont want to be a pain but I want to be secure as possible.
The company already granted me graces by accepting our borderline credit rating...

Answers please so I am not wondering all weekend or till they get back to me.

[Ultrarunner]

Not a straight forward question to answer because many cities now outright prohibit security bars and others require a building permit and yearly Fire Department Inspection to verify that bars on any room used for sleeping have operable fire releases, units have all required smoke detectors and no double deadbolts in security doors.

Some insurance companies also require bars to be removed from multi-family rentals as a condition of Insurance.

Most of my information is from first hand experience in the City of Oakland CA.

[pitt_transplant]

Hmmm....Those CA style ones always did scare me when I lived out there. It made me think of being burnt alive in a cage....

I found this stuff...Might be of interest to you too as a LL:
Fragment Retention Films | 3M Scotchshield Safety and Security Film | Protects against hurricanes, bombs and shattered glass

Pretty neat eh?

[pitt_transplant]

Ok...I think I found a good solution:

SHOP.COM - John Sterling #1132 2Bar 5\'\'Wind Secur Guard

The ones that are up currently...I didnt look up close to see if there was a fire release. Because I didnt want to freak anyone out...LOL
But the unit I am going to is a studio and that could be why there wasnt the same type of security bar on it. He did mention something about the lock..I forget the actual term for the type of security lock...But it does have some form.
Anyway...These ones are cheap and I can instal them myself if I have to.

[Dark of the Moon]

I live in New York City, where window gates are fairly common, and I have to say that the ones you found at Shop.com don't look at all like security gates. What they do look like are bars designed to keep children from falling out windows. You might want to keep looking.

[ESFP]

The landlord doesn't have to do anything that isn't specifically required by law or in the lease. If you want to install these bars, have an amendment to your lease that states that they are permanent and belong to the building, specify who pays for them, and if they need removed, you aren't liable for damage caused by doing so.

[pitt_transplant]

I found a better bar:

Window bars, door security grilles and patio door bars from Mr. Goodbar Security

Looks a lot more sturdy than the shop.com ones.

[dramaqt1]

I am renting an apartment which is on the 2nd floor. There is a church on the ground floor, the landlord lives above the church then I live on the floor above that. I finally paid my security deposit and turned over the rent checks, I noticed that there are no bars on the window and there is a fire escape that leads to my window. The landlord said by law she can not put bars on the window. What is the law?

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by dramaqt1

I am renting an apartment which is on the 2nd floor. There is a church on the ground floor, the landlord lives above the church then I live on the floor above that. I finally paid my security deposit and turned over the rent checks, I noticed that there are no bars on the window and there is a fire escape that leads to my window. The landlord said by law she can not put bars on the window. What is the law?

Ask her to cite the statute or ordinance for you.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by dramaqt1

I am renting an apartment which is on the 2nd floor. There is a church on the ground floor, the landlord lives above the church then I live on the floor above that. I finally paid my security deposit and turned over the rent checks, I noticed that there are no bars on the window and there is a fire escape that leads to my window. The landlord said by law she can not put bars on the window. What is the law?

Depends on the jurisdiction in which you reside.