Installing Security Gates

bewitched · July 2005

I'm hoping to sign a lease soon in Prospect Heights.

There is no gate on the window leading to the firescape. From what I've read, gates are not required but are allowed if they're up to the fire department code and can be unlocked without a key. How do I find out what that code is? I understand I should get one that is custom-made and permanently bolted or welded in place. Anybody recommend a locksmith or iron-worker that is reasonably priced and available soon?

I also gather that the landlord is not required to install one and I'd rather not foot the bill on making changes to a place I don't own. Any tips on the best way to encourage the landlord to cover the expense? Or should I just suck it up and do it myself if it'll give me greater peace of mind?

Apologies in advance if this is an FAQ, I did search beforehand. Please be gentle in your response(s)!

Thanks folks.

carnivore · July 2005

Good luck trying to get your landlord to pay for it, but it's worth a try. I didn't have any luck with my previous landlord. If s/he won't pay for it outright, you should offer to split the price and leave it when you move out. The extra value toward the apartment might convince your landlord to pony up the dough.

It's probably worth getting even if you have to pay for it yourself. It's just too easy for someone to rob you using the fire escape as access. You should also get renter's insurance if you can. If you get the bars also, you can usually get a discount on your insurance.

I don't have a local contact to get the bars installed (my current apartment came with them already in place), but there's a million of these places. I'm sure someone can give you a number.

isa · July 2005

Yes, landlord not required to do it, but they might if you ask. It couldn't hurt. Maybe if they say no you can volunteer to pay for it if they will install it.

daveb · July 2005

Subject: Re: Installing Security Gates

lirio wrote: I'm hoping to sign a lease soon in Prospect Heights.

There is no gate on the window leading to the firescape. From what I've read, gates are not required but are allowed if they're up to the fire department code and can be unlocked without a key. How do I find out what that code is? I understand I should get one that is custom-made and permanently bolted or welded in place. Anybody recommend a locksmith or iron-worker that is reasonably priced and available soon?

I also gather that the landlord is not required to install one and I'd rather not foot the bill on making changes to a place I don't own. Any tips on the best way to encourage the landlord to cover the expense? Or should I just suck it up and do it myself if it'll give me greater peace of mind?

Apologies in advance if this is an FAQ, I did search beforehand. Please be gentle in your response(s)!

Thanks folks.

I got robbed twice because of a similar situation. What I did is ask my landlord if he could set me up with a used one. i reminded him that i was leaving eventually and it was in his best interests and he agreed to pay half. Had the super install it, paid him under the table. $200, so only $100 for my end. Gate is a little dirty, but strong as hell. Likely all the money went to the super who just scavanged it for free, but it was a good one and the whole thing cost me a 1/4 of the cost of a new one.

emily · July 2005

We had some of these installed about a year ago. I can't remember the name of the people who did it offhand, but I'll get back to you.

emily · July 2005

Oh, my husband is so thorough. He kept all the info.

Kendi Iron Works<p></p>
<p></p>
Main:        (718) 821-2722<p></p>
Fax:        (718) 456-8006<p></p>
E-Mail:        [email protected]<p></p>
<p></p>
246 Johnson Avenue<p></p>
Brooklyn, NY 11206<p></p>
<p></p>
Proprietors: Anna & Zodak Zvi (ZZ)

They were really nice. Ours were kind of expensive, but that was because our windows are HUGE and we wanted various custom stuff (to match the gates on other windows of our building, for example). If you told them that you were renting and just wanted to avoid being robbed, they could probably help you figure it out. Just bear in mind that the fire-code ones have to have bars very close together near the latch so that a robber can't just reach between the bars and unlatch it. This involves a lot more metal and more expense.

I agree with the idea of trying to split the cost with the landlord.

stacey · July 2005

I know of a place on Bergen Street called Italian Art and Iron Works. There is anotherone on Dean Street (bet. Carlton and Vanderbilt) I think it is called Eagle Iron Works.

We will be getting some new ones installed when we are done with our renovation and someone told me as a homeowner I get a reduction on my homeowners insurance. You might to see if your landlord's insurance offers him the same. Might give them incentive.

Also please make sure you get renter's insurance.

Good luck

carnivore · July 2005

I think you typically get 5% off renter's insurance for "protective devices." I don't know if the landlord would save because he doesn't have much at risk from burglers (unless it's a furnished apartment or something).

anonymous · July 2005

Eagle on Dean is a great. Gus (Kostas)owns the place as well as the old beautiful red brick bldg with the turret @ the the corner of Dean and Underhill. The house next to that (New construction), with the balconies, is his as well.
Post when you'll go by there and I'll head over there before and have a talk with him.
This way you'll only have to pay for his labor (One or two guys) plus the cost of the material (Not paying for profit and overhead is always a plus)

bewitched · July 2005

Thanks all for the tips and suggestions. I got the apartment and should be in by next weekend, so ideally I would get it then or asap depending on availability.

Landlord said I can install it but won't pay for it.

"Guest" I'd like to call Eagle Iron Works, should I drop your name? Please PM me if you don't want to post it here. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote: Post when you'll go by there and I'll head over there before and have a talk with him. This way you'll only have to pay for his labor (One or two guys) plus the cost of the material (Not paying for profit and overhead is always a plus)

daveb · July 2005

Yeah, figured you'd be paying.

Did you check out the possibility of him hooking you up with a used gate? Might also want to ask your super separately.

bewitched · July 2005

I don't think we have an on-site super, the property manager mentioned A-to-Z. I'll check out Eagle and Kendi. Kind of anxious to get it taken care of quickly.

Any recommendations on renter's insurance companies? On that note, how about car insurance (coming from out-of-state).

brooklynswordstyle · July 2005

By putting up security gates and grates your are contributing to a totallitarian fear based community. If we only stopped being so "renter centric" and started to embrace the culture of the people breaking in and stealing our stuff then we wouldn't have to resort to these kind of neighborhood de-beautifying and fascistic solutions.

The gates don't make our apartments more secure, and in fact are a form of illegal imprisonment. This is all part of the Bush agenda to lock us down in our homes while being forced to watch SUV commercials and other capitalist propaganda while making it harder for innocent community activists to distribute their mind expanding educational pamphlets (printed on environmentally friendly recycled post-consumer tofu) through our previosly open windows-of-non-eurocentric-freedom.

Oh, wait, I think I posted this is the wrong thread... Are we talking about politics in this one?

flute · July 2005

That's VERY funny ...

carnivore · July 2005

lirio wrote: I don't think we have an on-site super, the property manager mentioned A-to-Z. I'll check out Eagle and Kendi. Kind of anxious to get it taken care of quickly.

Any recommendations on renter's insurance companies? On that note, how about car insurance (coming from out-of-state).

Allstate is right on Vanderbilt. Renter's insurance should cost you about $200 per year, depending on the details of coverage.

Installing Security Gates

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