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

[akhileshbc]

Hi...

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...

[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.

[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.

[akhileshbc]

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.

Thanks...

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)
Because, when anyone opens the door, the string is pulled out !

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.

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 And the UPS won't allow more than 10 min backup

[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.
Changing the lock might be a good starting point.

[akhileshbc]

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.

Getting tougher to find

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

[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.

[akhileshbc]

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.

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 ?

[Torc]

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.

[akhileshbc]

Thanks Torc...

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....!!!

[Siddharth Rout]

I guess this says it all



Illusatration

[Siddharth Rout]

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

You don't need to thank me for this

What are friends for???

[baja_yu]

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

[akhileshbc]

I guess this says it all



Illusatration

Nice idea....

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

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

[Siddharth Rout]

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

Hmmm...

Frowns
Frowns Again!!!!

@Baja: No This is from my handbook

[Pradeep1210]

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 And the UPS won't allow more than 10 min backup

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.

[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.

[akhileshbc]

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.

Thanks for the info, Pradeep...

But I didn't bought the Laptop yet.

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.

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

[crptcblade]

I guess this says it all



Illusatration

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

[baja_yu]

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

[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.

[Siddharth Rout]

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

Aha!!!!

even supermodels? :-|

[akhileshbc]

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

Yeah...

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.

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

[stlaural]

Aha!!!!

even supermodels? :-|

Yes, supermodels, straight to your email account

[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.

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.

[akhileshbc]

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.

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

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.

Like here...

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

[mendhak]

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

[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.

[baja_yu]

Watch Home Alone for ideas.

[namrekka]

Perhaps try something like this. Seems easy to build.

[mendhak]

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

[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?

[Shaggy Hiker]

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

Naked.

Seriously. He'd never go near you again.

[akhileshbc]

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

No....

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.

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

Watch Home Alone for ideas.

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

Perhaps try something like this. Seems easy to build.

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

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

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 ), 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

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?

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

Naked.

Seriously. He'd never go near you again.

No...

[baja_yu]

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

So, what's the problem?

[akhileshbc]

So, what's the problem?

Result will be...

[Siddharth Rout]

Naked.

Seriously. He'd never go near you again.

You never know...

Our Akhil will be in trouble then

[akhileshbc]

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

[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!

[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.