Issues with Bicycle left in Communal Area

Bobb12345

I think this may have already been covered in the forums previously, but I hope someone can help here. I have an issue with the Property Management Company (not landlord) of a property I pay the rent on. A few months ago, I was advised that the bikes I kept outside my flat would be removed, if they weren't kept inside.

I responded to this, stating that the bikes in no way contravened any health and safety (they blocked no doorways or walkways or stairs) and that they wouldn't be moved. The Property Management Company ignored this response. I certainly got nothing back and I now get home to find the bikes have gone. (OK they may have been nicked, but I suspect not).

I have checked my tenancy agreement and no-where does it state that items shouldn't be left in a 'communal area' (not that the bikes were) and so I wonder what I need to do now in order to get the bikes back. Can Property Management Companies really behave in such a way?

Can anyone offer any advice? It would be most appreciated.

SmashedAvacado

You don't have rights to put anything in the "communal" areas unless they are granted to you. Presumably such rights don't exist. As such, what is the basis you are asserting you have the right to park your bike on property that does not belong to you. What you probably have is no more than a right to use the common areas for access / egress or otherwise as they were intended.

If i were a neighbour i would be glad to see the management company taking this approach.

Jono111

The management have done the right thing.
You may not mind your bike there but your neighbours may not like it. If one person is allowed to store things in the communal area then how do you stop a neighbour storing their fridge or BBQ there, soon the area will look like a tip.

Bobb12345

OK, I guess that's fair enough, and I suppose I don't really have a leg to stand on. What I really dis-liked though was the fact the Property Management Company didn't even note my objection, or for that matter stick a note through the door saying they had taken the bikes away.

I guess I call them tomorrow to see if there is anyway to get the bikes back!

HampshireH

OK, I guess that's fair enough, and I suppose I don't really have a leg to stand on. What I really dis-liked though was the fact the Property Management Company didn't even note my objection, or for that matter stick a note through the door saying they had taken the bikes away.!

I guess I call them tomorrow to see if there is anyway to get the bikes back!

They did that the 1st time they told you they would remove them. They were giving you notice. By choosing to ignore it as you say it was your fault. What would you have done different if they disputed your letter? You had already made it clear they were staying put.

Goodluck getting them back. They probably went on the back of a rubbish truck with various other items left in communal areas and rubbish. Don't expect them to be in the same condition if you get them back at all.

Norman_Castle

The management company are entitled to remove them but as they are of some value and cannot be presumed abandoned due to your reply to them they should store them for a reasonable and make them available to you.

ProDave

Did the management company leave any receipt to say they have taken the bikes? Did they say where you can collect them from?

If neither of the above I would report them to the police as STOLEN.

BrassicWoman

The reason why they are removed is not because they block anything.

If there's a fire and they can't be seen for the smoke and someone takes a wrong turn and trips over them.. that's usually why common areas are kept clear.

esuhl

You can't just seize someone else's property without explicitly telling them and informing them how to get it back.

I'd also assume they'd been stolen and report the theft to the police and your insurers.

AFF8879

We had a similar issue in the block I live in. One of the leaseholders was leaving a bike outside their front door, not blocking anyone else’s access - but due to fire safety risks it could possibly invalidate our buildings insurance which we all pay towards via our service charge. Assume you rent the flat based on your post but you can imagine how devastating it would be for the leaseholders (and freeholder for that matter) if fire were to seriously damage / destroy the building and the insurers refused to pay out because someone left their bike where they shouldn’t.... thankfully in our case either the management co or the tenant themselves swiftly removed it!

letitbe90

Bobb12345 wrote: »

OK, I guess that's fair enough, and I suppose I don't really have a leg to stand on. What I really dis-liked though was the fact the Property Management Company didn't even note my objection, or for that matter stick a note through the door saying they had taken the bikes away.

I guess I call them tomorrow to see if there is anyway to get the bikes back!

Why should they show you any courtesy? Clearly you showed none. They already notified you once, why should they waste time with ping pong messages with you?

Also your tenancy agreement is between you and the landlord, nothing to do with management company.

Lastly, ignoring any fire hazards or insurance issues, just the fact having random bikes around not looking nice is enough of a reason to tell you not to.