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Safety in communal areas

Keep it clear, keep it safe

We’re committed to doing everything we can to keep residents and the buildings you live in safe, and we are sure that doing what you can is equally important to you.

Whilst the vast majority of residents comply with what’s set out in their tenancy or lease agreements, there’re some who continue to store items in communal areas. Unfortunately, this compromises everyone’s safety.

As any items left in communal areas can block emergency exit routes, create a fire risk and cause a slipping or tripping hazard, we will take action to remove them either within 24 hours or seven days, depending on the type of item.

What communal areas are affected?

All internal or external areas that are shared, including (but not limited to) corridors, hallways, stairwells, lobbies, walkways, riser cupboards and under stairs.

What items cannot be stored in communal areas?

We will permit residents to have a doormat outside their front entrance door.  However, it must be in good condition and be flat to the floor.  If we come across any doormats that do not meet this requirement we will remove them. Residents are not permitted to temporarily or permanently store, keep, leave or park the following or any other items in internal or external communal areas:

A bicycle, scooter or similar

A pram/pushchair or similar

A mobility scooter/e-scooter or similar

A moped or similar

Furniture of any description

Clothing or shoes

Rubbish/refuse whether in a bag, box or otherwise

Umbrellas

Photographs/pictures

Plants and plant pots/containers

BBQs

Any type of fuel

What will happen if I do not remove items from outside my property / communal areas?

If we see items being stored in the internal or external communal areas during our estate inspections, we’ll ask the owner to remove them (if we can identify who they are).

We’ll remove and dispose of any items considered combustible or high risk immediately. We’ll remove and store all other non-combustible items off-site for a period of 21 days.

I do not have space inside my flat to store my bike / buggy / pram. Where else can I store it?

We understand that our residents have different needs and requirements. If you have any queries about the policy, please contact your estate manager, they will be able to work with you to discuss your options and/or explore potential scheme improvements which could include, where possible, alternative storage facilities.