[SERIOUS] How to detect if a door is opened or not ?

Hi...:wave:

I'm staying in a rented house(but looking for a new house to buy at the earliest). But recently, I found that the house owner, our neighbour, is examining our house premises when we are out. I suspect that, he would even peek inside the house using the duplicate keys.

So, does anyone know a simple way to detect if the main door is opened, when we are out, before we reach back home ? I don't have much money to buy a security system. So, I'm looking for a simple but efficient way to detect it.

Do you have an idea ?

Thanks in advance...:wave:

Tape a piece of string somewhere not very visible (top corner of the door), between the door and the wall, so when it's opened the string will be pulled out. It only need be very small, 1" of string (sewing thread) and clear adhesive tape. You need to do this once you're out of course.

Also, if you have a webcam you can leave your computer running and it turned on, facing the door. There's software that detects motion in the picutre and starts recording, so you can catch him red-handed.

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

Tape a piece of string somewhere not very visible (top corner of the door), between the door and the wall, so when it's opened the string will be pulled out. It only need be very small, 1" of string (sewing thread) and clear adhesive tape. You need to do this once you're out of course.

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Thanks...:wave:

But even if I'm opening the door, the method is executed. I mean, how to check if the string is not pulled out (before I open the door) :confused:
Because, when anyone opens the door, the string is pulled out !

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

Also, if you have a webcam you can leave your computer running and it turned on, facing the door. There's software that detects motion in the picutre and starts recording, so you can catch him red-handed.

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That's a good idea. But I don't have a webcam (only planning to buy)and I can't trust the electric power supply. Because, when a small wind blows, the power will be cut-off :bigyello: And the UPS won't allow more than 10 min backup :cry:

You check the string before you open it. But if there are many people using the door and you want to catch one person, that will be harder.
Changing the lock might be a good starting point.

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

You check the string before you open it. But if there are many people using the door and you want to catch one person, that will be harder.

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Getting tougher to find :cry:

Do you know any low cost(very low) security system for this purpose, available in my country ?

How about you pretend to leave the house but sneak back into your garden and hide in a bush, when you see your neighbour enter your house, jump over the fence and lock yourself in his.

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Originally Posted by I_Love_My_Vans

How about you pretend to leave the house but sneak back into your garden and hide in a bush, when you see your neighbour enter your house, jump over the fence and lock yourself in his.

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No.. there's no bush to hide. Our house has a fence made of bricks. And only 4 big coconut trees, 3 banana trees, and some small plants, inside the compund. Where do I hide ? :)

You could try a small helmet cam, like this one.

Mini DV Sports Camera

It is small, and has a sound trigger so it could be left for long periods.

You would not need to leave your computer on, which is a security risk if
someone is entering the premises without your knowledge, or trust in an
un-reliable power supply.

I do not know if you can get this model, but you should be able to find a similar one.

One thing I would suggest is to check your rental agreement to see what
rights your landlord has to enter the premises.

Thanks Torc...:wave:

I don't know whether I might be able to buy one at that price, or not. :( But I'll check the local stores.

We moved to this new house for a week now. We moved in a hurry and didn't searched more info about this house and the owner. After 2 days of stay, the owner began to change his bahviour. So, we visited the nearby houses and asked about this owner. And that was something, that we got shocked.

This stupid owner is a maniac. He always wander around the house and even look inside the house, through windows and airholes. And he's a freaky guy who will behave very annoying to ladies.
So, we are in trouble now. We are going to move to a new house within this 20th. But we can't trust him till that time.

When we questioned this behaviour, he began to make so many false statements about us. And that'll certainly affect our prestige.
He has some good hold in politics and local police (don't know how he got this much influence). So, we are not gonna act against him, without any proper evidence. Otherwise, we will be in trouble...!

So, we are in a bad situation here....!!!:cry:

I guess this says it all :afrog:



Illusatration

Aw!!!! now come on!!!!

You don't need to thank me for this :afrog:

What are friends for???

Kool, is that from Wile E. Coyote's personal ACME handbook? :)

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Originally Posted by koolsid

I guess this says it all :afrog:



Illusatration

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Nice idea....:thumb:

But do you want me to goto jail, today itself ? :lol:

This owner is about 80 years old, but doesn't look old. Even in this age, he keep his charm unaffected !!!:afrog:

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Originally Posted by akhileshbc

Even in this age, he keep his charm unaffected !!!:afrog:

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Hmmm... :ehh:

Frowns
Frowns Again!!!!

@Baja: No :lol: This is from my handbook ;)

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Originally Posted by akhileshbc

That's a good idea. But I don't have a webcam (only planning to buy)and I can't trust the electric power supply. Because, when a small wind blows, the power will be cut-off :bigyello: And the UPS won't allow more than 10 min backup :cry:

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Laptops usually provide 4hrs backup actively and much more when not using much power (like screen turned off etc.). So electricity should not be a problem when using a laptop. Ensure that the webcam has no lights or it is turned off from whatever settings the driver/program provides.

If I were you I'd change the lock. What type of lock is it? Cylinder locks are most common in my country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cylinder_lock

They are very cheap and easy to change. A new cylinder (with 5-6 keys) costs $1-$1.5, changing it invovles unscrewing one screw (shown on picture) sliding in the new cyilinder and screwing it back in. Even if you have never done it before it wont take you more than 2-3 minutes.
That way you are certain that noone else has the key.

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Originally Posted by Pradeep1210

Laptops usually provide 4hrs backup actively and much more when not using much power (like screen turned off etc.). So electricity should not be a problem when using a laptop. Ensure that the webcam has no lights or it is turned off from whatever settings the driver/program provides.

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Thanks for the info, Pradeep...:wave:

But I didn't bought the Laptop yet. :cry:

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

If I were you I'd change the lock. What type of lock is it? Cylinder locks are most common in my country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cylinder_lock

They are very cheap and easy to change. A new cylinder (with 5-6 keys) costs $1-$1.5, changing it invovles unscrewing one screw (shown on picture) sliding in the new cyilinder and screwing it back in. Even if you have never done it before it wont take you more than 2-3 minutes.
That way you are certain that noone else has the key.

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Thanks baja.:wave: The same lock is used in the front door. I'll check so that whether I can change it or not.

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Originally Posted by koolsid

I guess this says it all :afrog:



Illusatration

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I usually opt to substitute the dumbbell with a hand grenade.

Just don't throw away the old cylinder, keep it and put it back in when you move out.

I would also suggest hunting cameras but they're still pretty expensive. The cool thing is that they use batteries and the take pictures triggered by movement. So when ever bambi decides to pass in front of it the camera take some pictures. Some model even send the pictures to your Email account automatically. I don't know if they're available in your country though.

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Some model even send the pictures to your Email account automatically.

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Aha!!!!

even supermodels? :-|

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

Just don't throw away the old cylinder, keep it and put it back in when you move out.

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Yeah...;)

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Originally Posted by stlaural

I would also suggest hunting cameras but they're still pretty expensive. The cool thing is that they use batteries and the take pictures triggered by movement. So when ever bambi decides to pass in front of it the camera take some pictures. Some model even send the pictures to your Email account automatically. I don't know if they're available in your country though.

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Those cameras might be too expensive (for me). But I'll check the local stores. Thanks...:wave:

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Originally Posted by koolsid

Aha!!!!

even supermodels? :-|

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Yes, supermodels, straight to your email account :p

I'd say the cheapest way is to leave something disturbable (say a small pile of salt) far enough inside the door so that it won't be disturbed if you open the door just far enough to squeeze through. Your landlord will normally open the door wide and disturb the salt if he does come in. You can enter without disturbing the salt by squeezing in. Not sure if I've described that very well.

I had a landlady once who turned into a complete nutter. she used to enter the flat while we were out, threaten us, all sorts. We just skipped the flat and accepted that we'd lose our deposit. It wasn't a fair outcome by any means but some battles just aren't worth fighting.

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Originally Posted by FunkyDexter

I'd say the cheapest way is to leave something disturbable (say a small pile of salt) far enough inside the door so that it won't be disturbed if you open the door just far enough to squeeze through. Your landlord will normally open the door wide and disturb the salt if he does come in. You can enter without disturbing the salt by squeezing in. Not sure if I've described that very well.

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That seems to be a good idea for detecting...:thumb:

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Originally Posted by FunkyDexter

I had a landlady once who turned into a complete nutter. she used to enter the flat while we were out, threaten us, all sorts. We just skipped the flat and accepted that we'd lose our deposit. It wasn't a fair outcome by any means but some battles just aren't worth fighting.

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Like here...:)

But the only difference is, it is the landlord..!

When you're leaving the house and you've locked the door, vomit on the handle.

There is a powdered dye that will stain hands a deep purple and is very hard to wash off, so you could dust that on the handle. That might just annoy him, but even that would be good.

Watch Home Alone for ideas.

Perhaps try something like this. Seems easy to build.

Attachment 79100

One day, pretend to go to work, have someone lock the door from the outside. Then sit in your hallway. Wait.

Maybe buy some cheap components, make your own makeshift alarm. Contact, Buzzer, LED (or LEDS), 9v Battery and some wire.

Put the contact magnet on the door, then the contact on the wall above the door. Wire it so when the contact is open, the buzzer goes off and an LED is lit. Im sure if he is 80 he will have no idea what is going on and will have a heart attack. Problem solved....


Ok well at least it might scare him and he will leave?

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Originally Posted by mendhak

One day, pretend to go to work, have someone lock the door from the outside. Then sit in your hallway. Wait.

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Naked.

Seriously. He'd never go near you again.

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Originally Posted by mendhak

When you're leaving the house and you've locked the door, vomit on the handle.

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No....:p

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Originally Posted by Shaggy Hiker

There is a powdered dye that will stain hands a deep purple and is very hard to wash off, so you could dust that on the handle. That might just annoy him, but even that would be good.

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That might be another good idea. I'll check that too. Thanks..:wave:

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

Watch Home Alone for ideas.

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No. I don't want to make the house a mess...:p

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Originally Posted by namrekka

Perhaps try something like this. Seems easy to build.

Attachment 79100

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I don't know. May be it will kill him. :p

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Originally Posted by mendhak

One day, pretend to go to work, have someone lock the door from the outside. Then sit in your hallway. Wait.

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Yeah. That's what I'm doing for two days now. I can't goto college now, because of an injury in my left leg. I just hit my leg on the bed(strong wood. The bed doesn't got any scratches :lol:), when I went to the bathroom, in the morning @ about 6 am. And my small finger in left leg got injured. The joint got misplaced. I didn't cared about the pain. And after an hour of resting, when I woke up, I fainted down. :)
Then went to the local physician (ayurveda) in local massage center, and he had done some work on my leg (oooh! that was painful :)). Now I'm on rest :)

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Originally Posted by dclamp

Maybe buy some cheap components, make your own makeshift alarm. Contact, Buzzer, LED (or LEDS), 9v Battery and some wire.

Put the contact magnet on the door, then the contact on the wall above the door. Wire it so when the contact is open, the buzzer goes off and an LED is lit. Im sure if he is 80 he will have no idea what is going on and will have a heart attack. Problem solved....


Ok well at least it might scare him and he will leave?

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Thanks...:wave: I'll try that too...:wave:

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Originally Posted by Shaggy Hiker

Naked.

Seriously. He'd never go near you again.

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No...:p

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Originally Posted by akhileshbc

I don't know. May be it will kill him. :p

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So, what's the problem? :D

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

So, what's the problem? :D

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Result will be...
http://www.topnews.in/files/police-arrest101.jpg
:lol:

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Originally Posted by Shaggy Hiker

Naked.

Seriously. He'd never go near you again.

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You never know... :D

Our Akhil will be in trouble then :afrog:

We decided to move to a new place by tomorrow itself. To a small flat. I wish, I could kick this landlord's head before moving :)

I'd take revenge if I were you. Cement the toilet or kitchen pipes, hide food items in really weird and hard to find places so they start to stink in several days... anything with a delayed effect.

See this http://www.clipjunkie.com/Landlord-Revenge-vid2039.html or http://www.revengelady.com/advicearchives.html

Or of course google "get revenge on landlord" or something like that. An let him have it! :)

So you have just today's time. Try all or whatever of the suggestions possible suggested in this thread and make his life hell for a day. :p

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

I'd take revenge if I were you. Cement the toilet or kitchen pipes, hide food items in really weird and hard to find places so they start to stink in several days... anything with a delayed effect.

See this http://www.clipjunkie.com/Landlord-Revenge-vid2039.html or http://www.revengelady.com/advicearchives.html

Or of course google "get revenge on landlord" or something like that. An let him have it! :)

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Originally Posted by Pradeep1210

So you have just today's time. Try all or whatever of the suggestions possible suggested in this thread and make his life hell for a day. :p

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Thanks guys...:D

Yea best way is just put up a hidden camera.
You'd want to know what your landlord is doing if he's going into your apartment.

Just hire someone to stay in your house - someone like Dennis the Menace. Have him play a trick when the guy comes in through the door. Pretty soon the guy will get so annoyed he won't come back until he's sure nothing will happen again.

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Originally Posted by capsulecorpjx

Yea best way is just put up a hidden camera.
You'd want to know what your landlord is doing if he's going into your apartment.

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Originally Posted by moonman239

Just hire someone to stay in your house - someone like Dennis the Menace. Have him play a trick when the guy comes in through the door. Pretty soon the guy will get so annoyed he won't come back until he's sure nothing will happen again.

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Thanks....:wave:

But we moved to a new big house(that's also for rent, but at the same time looking for one to buy) :)

You forgot the forum rules. Mark this thread as resolved since your problem is now solved. :p

Also don't forget to give out reputations to those who helped. :eek2:

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Originally Posted by Pradeep1210

You forgot the forum rules. Mark this thread as resolved since your problem is now solved. :p

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Yeah.. I'm trying to rate those ideas too...:p

You didn't do anything? After so many suggestions by all the people here, that is really disappointing. You should've killed him at least. :)

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Originally Posted by baja_yu

You didn't do anything? After so many suggestions by all the people here, that is really disappointing. You should've killed him at least. :)

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Seriously, I have that much anger so as to kill him. But I don't have that much courage to do that :)

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Originally Posted by akhileshbc

Seriously, I have that much anger so as to kill him. But I don't have that much courage to do that :)

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Ask your brother... He has 0 posts... He is still a juvenile :afrog:

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Originally Posted by koolsid

Ask your brother... He has 0 posts... He is still a juvenile :afrog:

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:)

No, I won't ....:p

I'd look into your lease agreement. If it doesn't mention him having the right to enter the house for no reason, I'd say talk to a lawyer.

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Originally Posted by moonman239

I'd look into your lease agreement. If it doesn't mention him having the right to enter the house for no reason, I'd say talk to a lawyer.

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He has extra hold on the police and he is having a dedicated lawyer for himself :)
So, if we go in the path of law, we might be screwed up...:)

Tape aluminum foil to your door, attach wires to the GND and CTS of a female serial connector, plug into your computer, and write a quick program that'll send you an e-mail whenever the door is opened, and you'll get the time.

there's something to be said for paranoia. It's entirely possible he's never been anywhere near your apartment. I was living with someone like this once. she was convinced our apartment's maintenance man was sneaking into our place and recorded over our self-made adult movie with six hours of the front door. I never even got to see it! :cry:

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Originally Posted by minitech

Tape aluminum foil to your door, attach wires to the GND and CTS of a female serial connector, plug into your computer, and write a quick program that'll send you an e-mail whenever the door is opened, and you'll get the time.

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Thanks for the idea...:wave:

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Originally Posted by Lord Orwell

recorded over our self-made adult movie with six hours of the front door. I never even got to see it! :cry:

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Does that means, you have bought a CCTV camera and recorded several hours of surveillance video ? :)

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Originally Posted by akhileshbc

Thanks for the idea...:wave:


Does that means, you have bought a CCTV camera and recorded several hours of surveillance video ? :)

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no. she left the closet door ajar and hid my 8mm video camera on a shelf in it. But you can get cameras reasonably cheap. i bought a spy camera from ebay for $1 that records to sd card, and i have a night vision camera i got at walmart for $20.

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Originally Posted by Lord Orwell

no. she left the closet door ajar and hid my 8mm video camera on a shelf in it. But you can get cameras reasonably cheap. i bought a spy camera from ebay for $1 that records to sd card, and i have a night vision camera i got at walmart for $20.

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I didn't find anything for that amount ! :)

Even if there's one for 0.99$, the shipping charge might be about 24$ (international shipping) :p

Is walmart just like ebay ? Or, a store name ? :confused:

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Originally Posted by akhileshbc

I didn't find anything for that amount ! :)

Even if there's one for 0.99$, the shipping charge might be about 24$ (international shipping) :p

Is walmart just like ebay ? Or, a store name ? :confused:

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it's a store name.

And here's the spy camera i bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Car-Key-Chai...item415199dc57
of course you can get a "buy it now" one for $11 with free shipping. It isn't advertised, but this model also doubles as a web cam. The one i bought came with a power adapter and usb cord.

Thanks Lord Orwell...:wave:

If I win the product after bidding for a small amount (let's say 1$), will they send that to me ?

Years ago, when I bought my first cellphone, I got a freebie along with it. It was a home security system. It was made of two parts which are to be attached to the door and the neighbouring wall/frame such that they will face each other (just like the door latch). When the unit is switched on and door closed, if you open the door, the beam between these two parts will be tripped and an alarm will go off from the unit.

See if you can get your hands on something like this. A chinese made equipment might also work, since it probably would have to work just once to scare him away.

.