Access to roof

Irishpearce26

I would take this to state the loft as you can access the roof structure from there. I would assume the reasoning behind this is that lofts in the UK are not designed to be storage areas even though we all board them and use them as storage. What can happen is all your stuff up there will restrict the ventilation causing a build up of condensation especially in winter which in turn can damage the wooden roof structure. If I were you I would take it all down to avoid any issues.

Davesnave

Irishpearce26 said:

I would take this to state the loft

No, it 'states' the roof!

What it's meant to imply is something else.

Irishpearce26

Davesnave said:

Irishpearce26 said:

I would take this to state the loft

No, it 'states' the roof!

What it's meant to imply is something else.

States access to the roof, the loft is roof access.

davidmcn

Irishpearce26 said:

Davesnave said:

Irishpearce26 said:

I would take this to state the loft

No, it 'states' the roof!

What it's meant to imply is something else.

States access to the roof, the loft is roof access.

Ladder up the outside of the house is roof access. The loft doesn't necessarily provide access to the roof, and even if it does, where do you stop that logic running?

Even if the landlord did mean to say the loft, the OP is safe enough to leave their stuff where it is until if and when the landlord brings it up.

Irishpearce26

I think if I were the OP I would check with the EA for clarification. In my opinion the terminology of 'access' is very broad and could leave the OP open to risk from the LL.

ciderboy2009

Irishpearce26 said:

I think if I were the OP I would check with the EA for clarification. In my opinion the terminology of 'access' is very broad and could leave the OP open to risk from the LL.

Seriously???  The EA is the last person to ask - they will just make up an answer on the spot.  Normally this answer will be whatever makes their life easier!

If the OP really wants clarification then they would need to contact a solicitor with contract law experience.  However, this would get expensive.

I agree with everyone else here - it specifically mentions the roof, not the loft so the OP is fine using the loft.

elsien

Asking for clarification from the EA won’t help - they may say what they think the LL meant, but that’s still an opinion, not what’s there on the contract.
If the LL hasn’t noticed in 3 years I’d carry on storing stuff as long as you’re doing so sensibly and it’s not going to come crashing through the ceiling. 

davidmcn

Irishpearce26 said:

I think if I were the OP I would check with the EA for clarification. In my opinion the terminology of 'access' is very broad and could leave the OP open to risk from the LL.

It says "The tenant is not permitted to access the roof." Even if you think the loft can be called "the access to the roof", it doesn't say "the tenant is not permitted to access the access to the roof"...

frogglet

I can't access my roof from my loft.i have heard lofts called a roof space.
I wouldn't go up there or store anything in it there unless there was a loft ladder and its properly boarded.

Davesnave

Loft access may be quite important in a temporary housing situation. When we became tenants after selling, we chose our rental based on the fact that it had a substantial loft with load-bearing potential and a tandem garage. This enabled us to avoid expensive self-store facilities. Without the loft we would still have needed a  lock-up unit in Pickfords or similar.