Your responsibility to keep your block tidy
If you live in a block with shared communal areas such as landings, stairwells and walkways, you must make sure they are kept clear of personal possessions and other items.
It is a condition of your tenancy or lease agreement that you don’t block shared areas, exits and entrances or leave rubbish in shared areas.
Leaving clutter in the communal areas can:
- Get in the way of emergency escape routes
- Block fire doors
- Create slipping or tripping hazards
- Pose a climbing danger for children.
It can also be unpleasant to look at for other residents living in the block.
If we find any clutter in communal areas, we will ask the resident to remove it straight away. If they don’t, we will remove any items, and may pass on the costs of doing so to the owner, before they are returned.
Things you should never keep in communal areas
Pushchairs and prams
These must not be kept in communal areas because they can:
- Get in the way and stop you and others from getting out of the block quickly in an emergency
- Block fire doors
- Give off toxic fumes and smoke if there was a fire.
You must keep your child’s pushchair inside your home or, if you have one, your storage shed.
Pets
You must not:
- Allow your pet to roam about unsupervised
- Leave food, litter trays or other items in communal areas.
For more details, including information on keeping a pet, read our pet guidelines.
Bikes
Bikes can get in the way or topple over and hurt someone. If you chain your bike to stair rails it can be particularly dangerous, as it can get in the way during an emergency and stop other residents from being able to hold onto the handrail.
If you have a storage space, you should use it to store your bike.
If there is somewhere suitable near your home to store your bike, we can provide a locking point to keep it secure. If there is enough interest from other bike users in the block, we may look at the option of a shared bike facility.
Rubbish
You must not leave any rubbish or waste outside your door, even if it is securely sealed and bagged up. Keep all rubbish inside your home until you are ready to take it to the chute or bin area.
If you have any large or bulky items of household waste, you can apply for a bulky waste collection. You can book up to six household waste items per collection.
Help with storage
If your storage shed is insecure, needs a new lock, or needs a repair, report this to our Repairs Operation Centre on 0800 952 5555.
If there is enough interest from residents in your block, we can arrange a clear-out day to take away any unwanted and bulky waste items.
If you wish to discuss other storage options further, get in touch with your housing compliance officer.
