London’s West End is home to numerous multi-tenanted buildings, many of which are operated as full-time Airbnb and short-term let properties. While this model offers flexibility to both landlords and tenants, it also presents security challenges, particularly in cases of fraudulent subletting. One common scheme involves individuals unlawfully subletting a rental property in exchange for a significant deposit or remaining in occupation beyond the agreed rental period without consent.

In one such case, despite the communal front door being secured with a patent-protected cylinder, it was suspected that an unauthorised key copy had been obtained. This breach allowed an unwelcome tenant to remain in the property unlawfully, creating difficulties for both the legitimate occupants and the property management.

To counteract this unauthorised occupancy, a security strategy was devised to force the individual into a situation requiring illegal entry. A Bramah C17 lock with a key-registerable system was installed alongside a London Door Pull, replacing the existing lock on an outward-opening Cisa Rim Nightlatch. The high-security locking mechanism ensured that any attempt to gain access would necessitate forced entry, making the intrusion legally recognisable as a break-in.

Following the installation of the Bramah C17 lock, the unauthorised tenant was unable to access the property covertly. The situation escalated to the point where law enforcement intervention was necessary. With police involvement, the fraudulent occupant was successfully removed, restoring lawful tenancy and preventing further security breaches.

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