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Rules on Entry/Exit to properties

Hi All.

I am planning to let one of the rooms in my flat but need some insight into making use of exit doors. 2 properties were merged a long time ago so I have 2 doors whereby occupants can enter or exit the flat but currently as per council request we only use one of these entrance/exits.

I would like the lodger to make use of the second entry/exit door and plan to request permission from the council. My question is does anyone know if there is a particular regulation which forbids or restricts us from making use of the second door along with the original first door? Both the doors leads out to a staircase used by other residents of flats - so it will not be anything unusual.

I have read through the building control control regulations and tried looking into if there are set in stone rules but could not locate anything. Most of it is linked to fire safety/ health and safety.
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Comments

  • Slithery
    Slithery Posts: 6,046 Forumite
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    edited 22 October 2018 at 4:19PM
    Could the lodgers accommodation be described as self-contained if they can access via this 2nd door?

    If so then they could possibly be a tenant instead of a lodger and extra council tax may be due.
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,475 Forumite
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    Be careful you don't inadvertently end up with them being tenants if they have their own front door! Will you be sharing facilities or would they have their own kitchen area?
    2024 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
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    Alz1986 wrote: »
    Hi All.

    I am planning to let one of the rooms in my flat but need some insight into making use of exit doors. 2 properties were merged a long time ago so I have 2 doors whereby occupants can enter or exit the flat but currently as per council request we only use one of these entrance/exits. - Why are they council bothered?

    I would like the lodger to make use of the second entry/exit door and plan to request permission from the council. - why? My question is does anyone know if there is a particular regulation which forbids or restricts us from making use of the second door along with the original first door? - not a clue. Why does the council care how you enter your home? Both the doors leads out to a staircase used by other residents of flats - so it will not be anything unusual. - why do you care which entrance the lodger uses?

    I have read through the building control control regulations and tried looking into if there are set in stone rules but could not locate anything. Most of it is linked to fire safety/ health and safety.
    More info required really
  • Alz1986
    Alz1986 Posts: 123 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts
    Slithery wrote: »
    Could the lodgers accommodation be described as self-contained if they can access via this 2nd door?

    If so then they could possibly be a tenant instead of a lodger and extra council tax may be due.

    The agreement will be for a bedroom with "shared" space. But at the same time I want to maintain some privacy and boundary between us and therefore I prefer to have a separate entrance for them, its a fairly large flat so it can be done.

    I don't want to do anything under the nose of the council who are the main landlords, and I do need them to provide a key for building entry- just thinking if there is an actual policy on restrictions to entering and exiting a flat/building 2 ways, if not, then I'll just have to give them my rationale for it and see what they make of it. If there is - then its dead in the water.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Alz1986 wrote: »
    The agreement will be for a bedroom with "shared" space. But at the same time I want to maintain some privacy and boundary between us and therefore I prefer to have a separate entrance for them, its a fairly large flat so it can be done. - Is it shared kitchen, bathroom etc? You sound like you're avoiding what is a simple question. IE you're trying to be clever with the regulations

    I don't want to do anything under the nose of the council who are the main landlords, and I do need them to provide a key for building entry- just thinking if there is an actual policy on restrictions to entering and exiting a flat/building 2 ways, if not, then I'll just have to give them my rationale for it and see what they make of it. If there is - then its dead in the water.
    Is there a lockable door which separates the flat into two and provides them their own facilities for washing and cooking?
  • Alz1986
    Alz1986 Posts: 123 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts
    hazyjo wrote: »
    Be careful you don't inadvertently end up with them being tenants if they have their own front door! Will you be sharing facilities or would they have their own kitchen area?

    We will be sharing. In practice they will have their own kitchen/dining and toilet area, as it gives us privacy.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 22 October 2018 at 5:24PM
    Alz1986 wrote: »
    I don't want to do anything under the nose of the council who are the main landlords

    Aha! The council are the freeholders? And they imposed the restriction wearing their freeholder hat? (as opposed to building control, planning, HMO licensing, etc etc)
    just thinking if there is an actual policy on restrictions to entering and exiting a flat/building 2 ways
    The only relevant "general" rules I can think of are building regulations (e.g. preventing fire spreading too easily from habitable rooms to a communal staircase). If it's something to do with your lease then the freeholder might have complete discretion about your proposals.


    I can see them also having concern that you may be subdividing the flat.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Alz1986 wrote: »
    We will be sharing. In practice they will have their own kitchen/dining and toilet area, as it gives us privacy.



    Then you do not have a lodger, you have a tenant.
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,081 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Does the flat lease state which door(s) to your flat can or cannot be used. If not, it is difficult to see how the council as the freeholder can insist on which door(s) you use or do not use.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,081 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Comms69 wrote: »
    Then you do not have a lodger, you have a tenant.

    And the possibility of a separate Council Tax band on the tenant's accommodation with the tenant being responsible for paying the CT
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
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