Window height too tall to rent?

view

thanks all

Fire_Fox

Do you mean positioned too high or too tall/ long/ large? You can't just change the height of the window/ replace them without freeholder's consent anyway, that is a structural alteration.

Most of the flats in my block are let, and the windows are right up to the ceiling, ditto many let apartments in my parents block (converted mill so massive windows and high ceilings!). In both cases you'd need a ladder or to stand on the windowsill.

I know if long windows come too close to the floor they can be a risk for falling out. Is that what you are meaning?

room512

We rent a town house and the landlord had to install special window locks that only let the windows open a fraction unless you release a safety catch - think it's so people can't accidentally fall out of the window. Would that be a solution?

YoungBusinessman

Saftey catches/childproofing the window more or less. It is just a safety aspect a landlord has to cover, the windows dont need to be replaced. However, my opinion is if you can get a decent joiner you know in to replace the windows as a homer, i would opt for that as the replacement would be alot more attractive(to me, anyway) if i was renting a third floor flat from you.

Fire_Fox

Bet you could install some sort of guards/ bars/ protective system to prevent accidents. There are safety catches for tilt and turn windows for example. You may need something that permits exit in a fire depending on the layout of the property.

Might be worth speaking to the Health and Safety Executive/ Environmental Health and then the freeholder? It's unlikely you can make any structural changes and possibly not any visual changes without written consent, check your long lease.

I straddle the window sill and lean out of my tilt and turns to clean the outside of the fixed panes, it's lethal but gives the people at the bus stops a giggle! :rotfl:

G_M

Told by who?

There is no direct leglislation governing this.

As a landlord you have a general 'duty of care' to your tenants which would include ensuring the property is not dangerous, but there is no specific definition as regards windows.

As said above, it is sensible to install window locks and/or a mechanism to prevent a 3rd storey window opening widely especially at knee or waste height, both for safety and crime prevention reasons.

If the property is to be let as an HMO (use google!) then as pasrt of the licaning process you might be forced to take some remedial action - your council could advise on this as they all have different criteria in their licencing policies.

edit:

or waste height

oops!

Fire_Fox

This has guidance on fire safety, but it talks about the size and position of the opening portion of the window - with catches the window would not be opening I would think?
http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/Housing/PrivateHousing/FirePrecautionsforFamilyHomeswithdwrgs.pdf

Errata

'you have to be able to clean your windows with two feet on the ground'

That's mad! What happens to all the Victorian/Georgian/Edwardian houses which don't comply with that. Or the houses with french windows or patio doors.

zzzLazyDaisy

I lived in a new build with a 'juliet balcony' which is essentially french windows which open inwards, as in your link, with a decorative railing balustrade outside, for safety. You see this a lot in modern apartments. So I doubt tall windows prohibit renting as such, but more likely that the safety aspect must be dealt with.

silvercar

How do you clean velux windows with 2 feet on the ground?

G_M

What a load of....

Unless this is an HMO, the council can do no more than issue guidance.

You cannor find legislation because.... there is no legislation.