StolenMacbook
(Subject honorably appropriated after reading StolenSidekick chapter of ‘Here Comes Everybody‘)
(Related Update: I’m testing an open lifestreaming service with information about the upcoming Apple Tablet computer / PC)
Last week I was burgled within 48 hours of moving into a new flat in London. My flatmate and I each lost our laptops; value around £2,000 but each one contained priceless memories.
It’s a slightly complex and even suspicious affair so I’m about to explain what happened in the hope someone reading can offer advice and guidance on the best thing(s) to do in this scenario.
Here’s how it happened…
After moving in last weekend, we returned home at 7pm Tuesday. I couldn’t see my laptop and thought I was simply having a ditsy moment. When I asked my housemate if he’d seen it we realised his was missing too.
There was no break-in you see. Someone had let themselves in to the flat (opening 3 locked doors in the process) and helped themselves to our kit!
We immediately called the landlord. We then called the police, who registered the incident and said a team would be out within 4 hours. In the meantime a locksmith was sent out, but we had to send him away until the police had arrived to inspect everything.
The police arrived around midnight and took some basic details, and had a look around the flat for possible entry routes. It’s a second story building on a busy road, so the door is the only feasible way in. They left us to sleep, and told us next steps…
A scene-of-crime officer was with us by mid-day the next day. There were no obvious prints because the stolen items were out on display. He also explained that anyone who is a likely suspect (ex-tenants, someone related to the landlord, an estate agent) would have been in before and left finger prints anyway. If it was a random burglar, they’d be smart enough not to touch things and leave prints.
The long and the short of it is that we can’t see any way to get the stuff back. We do believe however that if anyone could have prevented this, it wasn’t us – it was the landlord in charge of the property.
One of the keys is also a security lock which should prevent it being cut without the owner’s permission. This makes it theoretically impossible, but it did happen.
So here’s what I’m wondering
- Under some obscure law does the landlord have any responsibility for the loss, as someone must have accessed the keys previously to gain access?
- Have you heard of anything like this happening before? If so, how did they deal with it?
Any advice would be *hugely* appreciated!
You can comment below. Speak soon
Phil
5 Responses to “StolenMacbook”
Leave a Reply
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter (philsheard)
Flickr (philsheard)
Friendfeed (philsheard)
Last.fm (philsheard)
I’m afraid I don’t have any advice to offer, only sympathy.
Hey Phil – you said “He also explained that anyone who is a likely suspect (ex-tenants, someone related to the landlord, an estate agent) would have been in before and left finger prints anyway.”
Surely if his prints are on any of *your* stuff that would implicate him somewhat – assuming he didn’t help you move in – as there’s no good reason for his prints to be on your *newly-moved-in* stuff ?
Phil,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. No I have not heard of any laws around this. By any chance did you have your data backed up? I personally use an external and then also back up everything online through mozy.com.
Good luck in the hunt.
Best.
Rachel
I have my doubts that your landlord could be responsible, unless your state laws require a change of locks between tenants and you can prove that he neglected to do so. My advice is pick up some renters insurance, most policies cover literally everything you own as well as things you accidentally break belonging to others.
Phil,
Sorry to hear about this. It’s a pain. I cannot think of any specific law covering this but they will have a generic “duty of care” – so if they were negligent with the keys you would be able to sue for damages. You would have to prove this which is the hard part.
Have you heard of any other flats owned by the landlord being turned over? Any flats nearby?? Somebody obviously saw you guys move in to target you.
Hope this helps.
Steve