Other tenants breaching head lease/fire risk

browneyedbazzi

Hi all, hoping someone can provide a bit of advice.

I live in a private rented flat and the terms of the head lease for the building state that residents must not leave things in communal areas including the hallways/stairwells etc - presumably because of the fire risks involved with things being fuel for a fire and also part obstructing escape routes.

A number of residents in the building have taken to leaving various things in the stairwells and hallways - one couple living down the hall recently had a pushchair, a child's ride on toy, a set of golf clubs and 4 pairs of shoes in the hallway outside their door (which we have to walk past to get to our flat). The golf clubs were a one off (so far) but the other items are pretty standard. Others are leaving bicycles, pushchairs, sports equipment, outdoor furniture and other bits and pieces in the stair well.

I'm getting quite annoyed with this because of the safety issues (I've tripped up on the crap left in the hall by the neighbour when carrying groceries in) and we pay a small fortune in rent and I don't want to live somewhere that looks like a tip.

When we first moved in we spoke to the people down the hall and asked them to remove their pushchair from the hall (it was the only thing there at the time) and they did for a while but it has migrated back out and been joined by all the other stuff since.

I also left a note in the stairwell with the bicycles reminding the owners that there is a secure cycle store on site which they should be using for cycles but that has had no effect at all.

I wrote to my letting agent about the issue who said he'd forward the details to the building managers to get it sorted but I've seen no evidence that they've done anything.

Does anyone know what can be done about tenants (or owner occupiers) in a managed building breaching the terms of the head lease? Where there are safety concerns with fire escape routes being blocked etc is there a regulatory body (fire service?) who would be able to intervene if the management company don't take reasonable action to address the problem?

sorry for such a long post, but I wanted to include as much relevant info as possible.

Dovah_diva

I'd take photos and keep a log. Then I'd report it to my landlord, every day if needs be, in writing till something is done.

martinthebandit

Every time you go past nick a pair of shoes?

browneyedbazzi

Dovah_diva wrote: »

I'd take photos and keep a log. Then I'd report it to my landlord, every day if needs be, in writing till something is done.

Thanks, I have started taking photos. I'm just wondering if there's anything more than reporting it with the landlord/agent to do because they are not responsive and if a call to a regulatory body will get them moving quicker I'd rather do that than keep wasting my time taking photos/emailing etc.

martinthebandit wrote: »

Every time you go past nick a pair of shoes?

Very tempting. I do kick them down the hall sometimes, or push their stuff right in front of their door so they'll knock into it on their way out because it makes me feel better. So far I've stopped short of theft or actually damaging stuff but I have been tempted!!

tim123456789

The reality is that there's not much that can be done.

This is a common problem and short of taking action in court to enforce compliance with the terms the lease (which the other leaseholders will have to pay for), the MA has no easy sanction against a resident who doesn't comply with simple requests to obey the terms.

xylophone

I'm getting quite annoyed with this because of the safety issues (I've tripped up on the crap left in the hall by the neighbour when carrying groceries in)

Write to the letting agent again and specifically mention the accident.

Ask to whom a letter from your solicitors should be addressed......?

phill99

You may have more luck with they local fire authority. Speak to the fire authority headquarters and ask to be put throughout to enforcement. If this is a fire corridor, they have the power to bring an action to enforce compliance.

browneyedbazzi

phill99 wrote: »

You may have more luck with they local fire authority. Speak to the fire authority headquarters and ask to be put throughout to enforcement. If this is a fire corridor, they have the power to bring an action to enforce compliance.

Thank you - I'll try that!

Am I right in thinking that it must be a fire corridor as it is the only route out from my flat? (other than jumping out a window)

propertyman

I would trip and contact the manager asking for details of the insurer to enquire for a claim for torn trousers and a twisted ankle. You dont claim of course just send in pictures to the insurers who will ask that the insured clear the items.

While not recommmending it moving items late at night from floor to floor can lead to people changing their behavour and I have been told that it works and that its a good idea to wear gloves

Jamie_Carter

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

Thank you - I'll try that!

Am I right in thinking that it must be a fire corridor as it is the only route out from my flat? (other than jumping out a window)

In that case, yes it is.

propertyman

"Fire corridor" is a made up term unless its a forest fire!

It is the means of escape from the building and must be safe to use, which is some cases does not mean that there should be no items in the halls, just none that are an obstruction or hazard.

Here are the London teams http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/FireSafetyRegulationTeams.asp