Communal Hallways and Bicycles

ballyally

Hello,

Not sure if this is the right forum or not, but I have an issue with bikes etc in my communal hallway.

I bought and moved into my flat 16 months ago. I live in a block of six flats spead over three levels, and I live on the ground floor right next to the main entrance door. I am also the only one who owns my flat in the block the rest are rented out.

When I moved in there were two bikes outside my flat door. Didn't want to say anything as being new etc didn't want to upset anyone. Early this year two buggies were then parked next to the bikes. All these were moved last week when the tennants of the top floor flat moved out. I thought this would be an excellent time to put some pot plants at my door and small space outside, firstly to brighten and make the place more welcoming and secondly to discourage people using the small area as a dumping ground. However on returning home with them, I found 4 bikes squeezed into this space. I did ask the new tennants (who moved into the flat which was emptied last week) to move the bikes so I could get my plants at my door. The tennant did move the bikes, but rather than put them is a safe place she just put them outside. Feeling a bit silly when I say this but feeling a bit bad that I asked her to move her bikes and she took them outside, when, god knows what could happen to them.

Does anyone know what my rights are on this situation, as obviously I am not wanting to cause any trouble in my block.

Sorry to ramble on a bit.

poppysarah

What do the deeds say about communal areas?

I'd ask the fire officer to come and check.

ballyally

Thanks for your reply.

Dug the deeds out. Deeds say that everyone has common rights to all access areas within the hallway. So it could be argued that it is for all 6 flats, but then there is no other flats past mine, just this small area below the stairs. Wouldn't mind so much if it was 1 bike but 4, I feel, is taking advantage and not allowing others the use.

boliston

Most leases forbid leaving personal items in stairwells for very good reason!

I have 2 bikes and keep them in my bedroom rather than the stairwell as firstly the communal areas are not normally very secure in most blocks and I would not want to loose £4k worth of bikes, and secondly it makes the place look like a slum.

Baby buggies are another bad offender by the way!

Yorkie1

Might be worth doing a search on the forum; there was a similar thread fairly recently about bikes being stored in communal areas - it breached the fire regulations. Yours may not be on all fours but worth a look?

Mids_Costcutter

If you have sufficient ceiling height could a bicycle hoist be the answer for you and your neighbours?

Here is an example of one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geared-Up-Storage-Deluxe-System/dp/B0002TPTSW

They don't cost much. Many flats in the UK just have nowhere to store a bike and having to take it through your living space is not the answer!

Charliezoo

Do you have a caretaker who looks after the communal areas? If you do it might be worth asking them if they can have a word with your neighbours.

When I owned a leasehold flat it was the council that owned the freehold and provided a caretaker. I can remember doing the flat up and leaving a few bits outside the front door to take to the tip and I got a very stern note through the door asking me to remove them asap which I thought was fair enough really.

Running_Horse

This discussion may be worth reading:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2525441

Fire_Fox

ballyally wrote: »

Hello,

Not sure if this is the right forum or not, but I have an issue with bikes etc in my communal hallway.

I bought and moved into my flat 16 months ago. I live in a block of six flats spead over three levels, and I live on the ground floor right next to the main entrance door. I am also the only one who owns my flat in the block the rest are rented out.

When I moved in there were two bikes outside my flat door. Didn't want to say anything as being new etc didn't want to upset anyone. Early this year two buggies were then parked next to the bikes. All these were moved last week when the tennants of the top floor flat moved out. I thought this would be an excellent time to put some pot plants at my door and small space outside, firstly to brighten and make the place more welcoming and secondly to discourage people using the small area as a dumping ground. However on returning home with them, I found 4 bikes squeezed into this space. I did ask the new tennants (who moved into the flat which was emptied last week) to move the bikes so I could get my plants at my door. The tennant did move the bikes, but rather than put them is a safe place she just put them outside. Feeling a bit silly when I say this but feeling a bit bad that I asked her to move her bikes and she took them outside, when, god knows what could happen to them.

Does anyone know what my rights are on this situation, as obviously I am not wanting to cause any trouble in my block.

Sorry to ramble on a bit.

You need to contact the freeholder regarding fire regulations. You have no more right to put pot plants in the communal areas than the tenants have to leave bicycles or pushchairs there.