Security Issue

[Malachite]

I live in an road that has had several burglaries over the years and have a dispute going with one of my housemates.
Five of us share a house and we all have rooms of our own.
My dispute is with a housemate who lives on the ground floor at the front of the house which has a small front garden and a short wall/gate. She insists on leaving the place when we're all out with her top window wide open. Admittedly the window is only about 12" high by about 20" wide but it is only five feet above the ground outside. She insists that her main windows are kept locked and doesn't see this smaller upper window being open as a security risk. I have quite a lot of expensive gear in my room and am concerned despite the small size of the opening that someone could gain entry somehow.
Am I getting my knickers in a twist over something that is unlikely to happen?
TIA.

[rockyracoon]

Burglars will get through that gap, and if you do get burgled, good luck with claiming on the insurance.

[Buenchico]

Show your housemate this video:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fearless-burglar-squeezes-through-tiny-11231619

[rowanwitch]

Some burglars work with children or very slightly built women just. for this purpose, they love these little windows as they provide access without having to break in. Quick leg up and they are in

[IJKLM]

Put high security locks on the door to your room. Treat the cost as an insurance premium

Sounds like she's making a point of not listening to you.

Or you could get lawyers involved and send her a letter informing her that if a burglar gets in through her window, that you will hold her liable for any losses. But on the whole, that's much more likely to create bad feeling than simply putting locks on your own door.

[Eleena]

You have a valid point Malachite.

[ubasses]

Another problem is that if the building is insecure and you suffer a break in you will probably find that your insurance will not pay out.

[ummmm]

I've got through a similar gap before.

[Minkyme]

Are people just worried about insurance and having expensive items stolen?

What about the real risk of coming to potential harm from a startled armed burglar being possibly raped by a Sex attacker?

I’d say I’d rather have bad feeling in the house after lawyers have forced her to comply with health and safety then bad feelings because someone was robbed, attacked or suffered serious injury and/or death.

[Malachite]

Thanks for the answers, the house btw is not insured.
If needs be, I'll insist and if she digs her heels in, I'll take a photo and send it to the landlord, so far (as she leaves her room door open) I have been going into her room and closing it but don't like invading her private space and taking. It seems really obviously out of order to me.

[Malachite]

* sorry, ignore the word "taking" ..bad edit.

[ummmm]

Errrr....he said when they're out.

[woofgang]

Have you discussed this with the other house sharers and do you have any kind of disagreement resolution process in place? Have you got joint house contents insurance or do you all cover your own?

[Minkyme]

Yes I see what you mean bit it’s very possible to come home and startle a burglar.

[bednobs]

many hmos have loks on the individual doors, ad i would suggest that as a way forward. If she gets one, any burglar could oly get to her room ayway