Neighbor tenants using roof for bbq would you want to know as LL?

uk_american

I’ve lived in a new build for the past 5 years, in the city centre. I am on the 3rd floor with a roof terrace. Next to me is a row of shops, most of which have converted to flats above the shops. Next door (we’re separated by a shop’s drive), the top floor flat windows allow someone to step outside onto the roof of the floor below. Photo here: http://postimg.org/image/vj7ap2mrd/


A few months back on the last warm weekend of autumn, a new set of tenants came in. They came home late on a Friday and 6 young men had climbed out the windows and were standing on the roof, smoking and listening to loud music until 2 AM. Saturday was loud music. Sunday, standing in the driveway of the shop drinking and being loud after midnight. Monday, I had a word with their landlord, at the seamstress shop below them, as she lives elsewhere. Seems the neighbor on the other side had already been in and briefed her. She promised to have a word, and I’ve had no problems since.


Now that the warm weather is starting, they were out again yesterday (Thursday), four lads this time, with patio chairs and 2 one-time barbeques. I’ve had to shut my doors and windows due to the cigarette smoking and music, although they went in at 10 PM.


I don’t want to kick up a fuss unnecessarily, but at the same time, I am not able to enjoy my balcony due to the cigarette smoke and noise. The prior year tenants have never used the roof as outdoor space so this has previously never been an issue.


My question—as a landlord, would you want to know that someone is out on the roof of your property with a bbq and multiple people? Either from a fire safety perspective or from a health and safety/structural perspective, that they are out drinking and there are no railings etc. Just wondering, rather than me complaining about cigarette smoke and noise, would you as a LL have an interest under the umbrella of protecting the misuse your asset?

TBagpuss

I would want to know. I presume that the roof is not intended to be used as a balcony.

knightstyle

Definitely tell them! Plus if they are noisy after midnight call local council, there are rules about this.

Jenniefour

If I were the LL I would definitely want to know!! The tenants are stepping out onto an ordinary flat roof and sooner or later someone is going to have an accident and/or cause damage to the roof.

DRP

TBagpuss wrote: »

I would want to know. I presume that the roof is not intended to be used as a balcony.

yep.

No rail.

I doubt that flat roof is designed to take the weight of 4+ adults stomping around.

Fire risk from bbq/fags.

Does the roof belong to a shop or another flat?

MamaMoo_2

I would want to know as presumably if the roof goes up in flames there'll be a to-do with the insurance company as the roof isn't intended as an a outdoor space and will also likely not be reinforced as such.

BitterAndTwisted

Those kinds of roofs are not built to take the weight of people out there standing on it. Sooner or later the roof covering will fail or structural damage will occur.

I wouldn't hesitate to bring this to the landlord's attention. It's going to cost them substantial sums sooner rather than later

beecher2

I'd definitely be complaining about them being on the roof - no doubt about it.

Prothet_of_Doom

If the tennant a) fell off the roof, or b) set fire to the house, would my insurance cover me ?

In which case I'm not arsed to know. But if you tell me, I'm now obligated to stop them. and I would.

jee

I would want to know. Who does the flat roof belong to?

PasturesNew

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2471434/Personal-assistant-fell-skylight-Barclays-bank-branch.html

She's more than a tad on the side of "a little overweight" though

To use a flat roof as a roof terrace you need planning permission, structural calculations and building regs for starters.... and she's rented them the flat, not the flat roof.