Neighbour blocking access to flat.

BehindTheBarricades

Unfortunately it was a bit dark when I took the picture. My front door is somewhere off into the darkness at the back. There is a bit of garden in between the covered area ending and where my front door is, so this isn't immediately outside my front door but I do have to walk through that area to get to my home.

There is a pile of junk on her own landing that is nearly outside her immediate neighbour's door. She isn't happy about it either. Neither is my immediate neighbour happy about junk that has sometimes appeared underneath her window on the ground floor. She's out of luck as Nice Neighbour has just moved all her plants out of that area because the new junk was damaging them, so I wouldn't be surprised if an accumulation starts appearing under her window again. Quite a few of us feel barricaded in, not just those who choose or need to access the garden.

Thanks all again for the replies. I'm not too sure of forum etiquette and whether I should be pressing the individual thanks buttons or not, but your help and support is definitely appreciated.

ceridwen

Valli wrote: »

pops in for a nosey

my goodness OP were that outside MY front door it wouldn't stay there long. I would fling it outside sharpish.

Personally - I would be leaving it out "accidentally on purpose" for the dustbin men to take when they turn up next. After all - there isnt supposed to be anything on communal territory - therefore it MUST have been left there for the dustbin men?;)

I know what you mean by the "ever so reasonable tone of voice" - as I've encountered someone who wants all the (communal) space they can get for themselves personally and pulls that "I personally am ever so reasonable" stunt. Some people DO pull that particular act ...:(

devotee

inkie wrote: »

Clear fire risk - the whole lot needs moving. Get the community fire safety officer on the job.

Do the above asap! Don't wait for everyone to agree, your fire exit is blocked and it's dangerous!

Yorkie1

BehindTheBarricades wrote: »

What I think I'm going to do is write to everyone in the 3 blocks that share that entrance to the garden and suggest we all spend a Saturday clearing the area out (with bribes of beer and punch). We could keep just one or two items if next door are still amenable to leaving a few items in the space. I will drop in the threat, as nicely as possible, that if people can't be bothered to cooperate I will involve the council and the fire service and get the lot removed.

I think this is unwise. You will just end up in the same place as you are now. Who decides how many, and whose items are left? Or their size? Or for how long? And existing items will always attract more items.

The neighbour has said that their lease says nothing to be stored in the hallways. That is the easiest line to stick to. Then there are no fire risks and no encouragement to others to just squeeze in one more small item ...

Valli

What the council could (and might well do) is move the stuff and bill the person responsible. I would have the fire brigade and my councillor and MP round - NOTHING should be in communal walkways.

(If I were you that is - I know what I would do and have said)

Leif

That is appalling. Your neighbour is a self centred s**t. That heap of junk is totally out of order. It is a fire hazard, and a health and safety hazard, as you could trip, and end up with a pile of carp on you, and an injury. It also blocks access to anyone disabled, or with an infirmity. I would not put up with it. The fact that it blocks your bike is way out of order too.

Foyles the London book shop was prosecuted for blocking fire escapes:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Foxcheps.new.ox.ac.uk%2Fnew%2Fcasebook%2Fcases%2FCases%2520Chapter%25206%2FR%2520V%2520Boal.doc&rct=j&q=foyles%20fire%20escape&ei=2dYtTtrIIIGg8QOBvsH8Cw&usg=AFQjCNEDYn37yvDrXq6GSHi0M1m8F2l_KA&sig2=jKJzjvDLOSWiX50-Q5gznw&cad=rja

Now that happens to be a corporate case, but you can see how serious it is. Get the fire brigade over. I suspect they will not mess around, as it may well be a criminal act. And write to the council. And I would write again to your neighbour. If her flat is too small, then she should move rather than make use of shared space which is not hers to occupy.

MaggieBaking

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I think this is unwise. You will just end up in the same place as you are now. Who decides how many, and whose items are left? Or their size? Or for how long? And existing items will always attract more items.

The neighbour has said that their lease says nothing to be stored in the hallways. That is the easiest line to stick to. Then there are no fire risks and no encouragement to others to just squeeze in one more small item ...

I completely agree with this. I think the idea of organising a "do" with drinks to get everything shifted is also a lovely idea - and the right way forward. Then on the Sunday, I would write a note to everyone in your block detailing what has been left and explaining that in 7 days time it'll be left out for the council to take.

jennifernil

I thought our garage was bad, but that is even worse!

BehindTheBarricades

Leif wrote: »

That is appalling. Your neighbour is a self centred s**t. That heap of junk is totally out of order. It is a fire hazard, and a health and safety hazard, as you could trip, and end up with a pile of carp on you, and an injury. It also blocks access to anyone disabled, or with an infirmity. I would not put up with it. The fact that it blocks your bike is way out of order too.

Yup. That's happened. Also unpleasant was the time something or other died in the debris and stank the place out for weeks.

The reason behind saying let's leave a few things is that I just don't want to be a complete git to the people who are considerate and only have a few, practical, items. Nice Neighbour keeps gardening equipment down there, for example. Believe it or not, that space is wider than a car so a few spades and shelves are nothing. I also don't want things to escalate into a ridiculous tit-for-tat where people are forced to remove personal possessions such as potted plants from the garden which are a bonus rather than an inconvenience but which, strictly speaking, shouldn't be there either.

I know, I know, it's just asking for trouble...

freezspirit

Sorry to ask but did you mean in her boyfriends car or your boyfriends car some stuff to store? I think when she downsided she's the type to take the kitchen sink, well the bathroom sink too. lol. Going by the picture. You would think she could of donated some to charity or sold some, if by what you say she's been there for 9 years.