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Easily replaced bike if you have the money. Not everyone is so fortunate. FWIW, other people keep their bikes there and at the bottom of the stairwell too. As far as all the residents were concerned the door was disused. Also it's clear that the door would have opened just fine with the bike where it was, hence if it was simply the service door the residents assumed it was (they have a shared boiler and stuff) then it would have been fine.
The whole legal action thing is not because of the bike's value, it's the principle. In the way or not, you don't go to town on somebody else's things, especially when it's on their property, not yours. I don't see why the landlord's going to be in the slightest bit bothered and to be honest if they get in trouble over the fire exit down the line then it's only fair, they're the most hated student lettings company in the city for a reason.
There isn't much the commercial neighbour could do in this situation anyhow, all they have access to is a stairwell which, if they're damaging property on, I imagine the lettings company will be less inclined to maintain their right of access to. To be honest I don't think it will go as far as the police/court, I'm pretty sure they'll fork over the cash with their tail between their legs on this one.
oxpoleon-
Mate, social cleansing is happening all over London, people are getting fucked over in a myriad of ways by large institutions that are far more profound and far-reaching than your mate losing a shite bike because of a stereotypically unpleasant bouncer.
I'm genuinely sympathetic, and applaud the adherence to principle, but at the same time if you want to devote time and energy to championing a worthy cause there are thousands of infinitely more important ones awaiting your attention out there and as for unscrupulous lettings agencies or clubs 'forking over cash with their tail between their legs' I'd say that's about as likely as hell freezing over unless you happen to have a video of them with a kilo of gak and their hand up a hooker's skirt to go with the suit and the primly worded letter.
deleted
I can understand the annoyance at some meathead trashing it, but can't get past the fact that it was locked up in a communal area and in front of a door, which is pretty shit regardless of whether it's a fire door or no, and then the fact you're getting so het up about it to talk about legal action and police for what is such a bog standard and easily replaced bike?
Life is too short, nobody died, and you're going to waste far more time and emotional energy if not money on resolving it that could be devoted to finer things. But que sera, bonne chance...