As a tenant, you play an important role in keeping corridors, staircases, and other communal areas clean and clear of rubbish and belongings. Where you see a repair that needs to be carried out or a problem in a communal area, please report it to us so we can get it put right as soon as possible.
We have a legal duty to make sure that we reduce the risk of fire in our flats and schemes, and that tenants are able to escape in an emergency. We take safety very seriously and because of this, we're strict about what is stored in communal areas.
This applies to things such as mobility scooters, walkers, pot plants, bicycles, furniture and ornaments which are in corridors, hallways, cupboards and other communal areas.
Hazardous items in communal areas
Your safety is our priority. If you come across any hazardous items such as needles, broken glass, or other sharps in our communal areas, please let us know immediately using our Communal Spaces Report Form and help us keep our environment safe and clean for everyone.
Communal storage
Where your scheme has a designated communal storage cupboard or shed, only permitted items are allowed to be stored there. You must get permission from us before any items are stored in these areas by completing and submitting an application form. If permission is granted, all items will need to be labelled with your name and address.
Our approach to dealing with items in these areas focuses on:
- Ensuring that our tenants enjoy a safe, clean and tidy environment
- Preventing the risk of injury or loss of life through cluttered communal areas
- Meeting our legal requirements.
These are our responsibilities, but tenants are also responsible for the safe storage of their goods, in line with their tenancy agreement.
Generally, within the communal areas of our homes, there will be no storage of personal belongings permitted. Even if the belongings are not an immediate risk or fire hazard, they will affect the cleaning and appearance of the area.
Mobility scooters
- The storing or charging of mobility scooters in any communal area is strictly forbidden.
- Tenants must obtain our consent before purchasing or leasing a mobility scooter.
- Tenants may only store a mobility scooter within their own home, unless there is a designated mobility scooter storage area provided which has space available and which has been agreed by us.
If you're thinking of getting a mobility scooter, please contact us first to ensure that there's a suitable location where it can be kept.
Regular checks
We regularly conduct health and safety inspections and risk assessments to ensure compliance with our rules.
If we spot items that pose an immediate risk, such as blocking a fire exit, or being a fire hazard, we will remove them immediately. This could include items stored in electrical cupboards.
If the items do not pose an immediate risk, we will attempt to identify the owner and ask them to remove the item within a specified timeframe.
If we are unable to identify the owner, or if the item is not removed despite our request, we will remove and dispose of the item, or store it for a limited time, at our discretion. The tenant may be charged for this.
Loft access and storage
New Build Homes
The lofts in new build houses are often not designed to bear weight. Their use is therefore prohibited.
Flats
Red Kite Community Housing only let the space within the four walls (known as the demise). The loft space is considered a communal area of the building and may contain communal services such as tanks, pipes, and wires. Use of a communal loft space is therefore prohibited.
Single Dwelling
We advise against using the loft space in your home, as it is not included in your tenancy agreement. If you choose to use the loft space and cause damage to any services such as electric cables, water pipes, insulation, or your ceilings, we will not be held liable.
Similarly, we will not be held liable for any damage to personal items. If you decide to use the loft space, we recommend that you obtain appropriate contents insurance to protect your belongings.
You may be charged for any damage caused by your possessions or presence in the loft.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about fire safety or communal areas, please contact us.
Thank you to all our tenants who help us to keep our homes safe.