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Hi Folks,

I just wanted to say Hi!

We have just purchased a townhouse on SDR due to complete in Oct 2007.

We loved the look of the complex and can wait to get the keys. I'm a bit concerned about all the break-ins, sounds like you guys are having a bit of a rough time. Looks like we'll need to beef up the property security as soon as we getthe keys.

Do you think there is any milage in contacting the developer to add extra security to the next phase duringh the build?  I appreciate they have bars on the ground floor but it would seem the 1st floor is the entry point of choice

Thanks

Iain & Susan

Hi Iain & Susan

Good luck with your purchase - hope it all goes to plan.

Re security - have a vague recollection of someone (was it you Amanda?) having a lot of problems when asking the builders to install extra grills & eventually going elsewhere. Might be an idea to source extra security (& have it installed) prior to moving anything into the place if possible, as some of the burglaries have occured around about the time of people moving in (makes you think they are watching & presuming less security measures). Don't think anything we do will stop them completely at the moment but can at least make it more difficult - am still favoring the barbed wire, watch towers, guard dogs & electrified fences myself :) !!

This all said, the positives of SDR far outweigh the (hopefully) temporary negative - always look forward to going back!

Hi , Ian 

Helen is right it was myself and Andrew another apartment owner that had a nightmare when asking Peinsa to fit the additional grilles (not Peinsa's fault). They asked the chap who installed the patio doors and windows to both the apartments and townhouses to do it and he made a right mess had to rip them out and get all the walls repaired.

If you are wanting grilles I recommend Steve at ironcraft his details can be found on the tradesmen thread on this forum.

Congratulations on your completion,

Amanda & Paul

 

 

Thanks Helen & Amanda,

I think we'll follow your advice an add to the security befoe we kit the place out.

Not sure about the barbed wire though, I've heard razor wire gived a better cut!!

Iain

Iain you are absolutely on my wave length - sort the swines out once & for all :) :)

Good luck.

Just returned after completion on our town house,another 2 townhouses done,last week between 6pm and 9pm also did there cars by smashing windows .One had there safe ripped out/wall fitting. One house done via balcony door and the other one by the front bedroom door/patio window (forced panel from frame)It would appear full grilles needed on all windows.Both occupants are having direct alarms fitted. Quite expensive but seem to offer a good service(they will hold keys and be at the premises within 15 mins of an activation.local police will also be contacted) 

We have a townhouse, we have had security door put over balcony door and window locks fitted upstairs, we were toying with getting a safe, but this seems senseless if they can get the safes out of the floor and pick them up and take them.

Are we allowed to have full grilles fitted over the bedroom windows (the front bedroom with the small balcony), or would this be "against the rules"?, as I am assuming that all the houses have be in keeping with the original design?

I can see no other alternative, to stop thieves breaking in.

JulieC

 

Have seen several houses with grilles fitted over all the windows but have always personally been a bit reluctant to fit them at the front of the house as you can end up looking a bit like 'Fort Knox' if you're not careful. Does anyone know - the houses that have been burgled recently through the front bedroom window - are the street lights working or are the streets in darkness?

 

Helen i,m led to believe about 3 townhouses have now been done via the large front bedroom window. The safe that was taken was wall mounted rather than floor fixed.Those with fitted grilles don,t look too bad.I suppose security has to take priority

Hi Roy

Thanks for that - my other problem with grilles at the front is I would never be able to get a couple of the beds out of the house if we ever sold as they went in through the front bedroom window!

 From everything I can gather it seems that the optimum time for them to strike is early evening when presumably people are going out for dinner. Me thinks I shall be taking a large bag over & taking all valuables out with me on an evening!

Anyone know about the street lighting?

H

It was our house (2 bedroom Urbina) that was broken into on Saturday 2nd December between 7.30 and 11pm. They forced open the balcony door in the courtyard, and stole our safe, and a spare set of keys etc. Fortunately not a lot in the safe at that time. Front and back door locks now being changed, and a grill fitted to the balcony door. They also had the cheek to drink a litre of orange juice, and a bottle of water from the fridge.

Street lights OK

It's too easy to gain access to the couryards as the metal gates are more decorative than security locked. Perhaps we should be petitioning the builder to beef up security in this area, as all these breakins  must have an efect on sales of new houses.

I too am beginning to think that a roll of razor wire may be a good idea!!!

Malcolm