Fire exit runs through our garden dispute

stator

Ask them to prove that they have a right of access over the land you are renting. If they can't prove there is some kind of right of way over the land then tell them to get lost. If they don't have a proper right of way then it's their problem.

martinthebandit

stator wrote: »

Ask them to prove that they have a right of access over the land you are renting. If they can't prove there is some kind of right of way over the land then tell them to get lost. If they don't have a proper right of way then it's their problem.

If there isn't a right of access through I would tempted to say 'would you like to buy one?

Mojisola

Zen1989 wrote: »

Basically we rent a studio flat which has a small walled yard to the side of the property.

However on the back wall is a door which is the fire escape for the local doctors surgery

Is there an exit from the walled yard apart from into your flat?

If people evacuated the surgery, would they then be trapped in the yard?

peachyprice

Is there a way out of your yard for them if you're not at home? Or will their 'fire exit' leave the staff and patients trapped in a small yard with a burning building in front of them? Will the staff and surgery full of patients even fit in your yard?

peachyprice

Mojisola wrote: »

Is there an exit from the walled yard apart from into your flat?

If people evacuated the surgery, would they then be trapped in the yard?

:rotfl::rotfl:

We have such practical minds

phil24_7

Can you provide a little more info on the yard (size, exit points, gates/doors, locks etc)

moneyistooshorttomention

peachyprice wrote: »

I think I would be inclined to phone your local fire station and ask them to pop in next time they're passing for their take on the situation.

I would take the word of a fire officer over that of the person at the surgery designated as the 'fire marshall' any day. Sounds like someone there is on a power trip.

...and take photos and inventory of your property that you have in your yard....just in case.

HiToAll

Is the fire marshall called Keith Lard by any chance?
woof

Zen1989

Ha! I think he must be! :rotfl:

The yard is Just part of the route, so in an evacuation they wouldn't be waiting there they just have to walk through it to get to the driveway and onto the street at the front of the road. Which is why we don't really see the issue, it's not like its a holding pen or anything! apparently my other half went round Today and the fire Marshall is a complete jobsworth (surprise surprise) said we need to remove the grass as it could be slippery. I understand that they may well have a right of access in a emergency but does that give them the authority to dictate that the whole yard must be cleared when they don't own it and when there is already a clear 2 metre wide path for them to evacuate through?

dominoman

First of all ask for the paperwork. You need to see the evidence of the right of way and of any other legal clauses that were agreed.

They don't have any authority at all without that paperwork, and if it simply states that access must be given then that gives them no right whatsoever to determine what your grass looks like!

If they can't produce the paperwork then as someone suggested above, you could ask for a monthly fee of, say £100, to keep the right of way clear, on your terms.

Dentists are loaded btw, so don't feel bad! :-)