Worried about fire

itsthelittlethings

QrizB said:

itsthelittlethings said:

elsien said:

itsthelittlethings said:

We’ve had various letters about what is and isn’t allowed in our building because of fire regulations. They specifically told us we weren’t allowed to hang washing on balconies and have wicker fencing. My neighbour, who has a small, yappy dog, has wicker fencing round the edge of her (large) balcony to stop the dog jumping over. She says the housing association originally told her it was ok and she can’t afford to replace it with something fire proof. Three balconies at the front of our building have wicker on them, which I wrote to the HA about. They wrote back to say the neighbourhood officer had been to speak to the residents (which I don’t believe) and that it is being monitored.

I don’t particularly feel like I’m going to burn to death in my bed, but better safe than sorry. Is there anything else I can do? This neighbour has already complained about me when I knocked on her door because she left a wardrobe in the hallway. They seem to listen to her but not to me, except when I report faults like the lights being out in the carpark.

Also everyone else is moving their partners in and we are already a small block of flats. Three or four out of ten studio/ single flats are double occupancy now.

Anything in the lease or tenancies  to say that that is not allowed? Any impact  on you at all, because I’m not immediately seeing the relevance of this to your fire query?

I don’t know, I’ve got about three leases and I’m not paying a solicitor to read them to see if I’m allowed to get a partner.

Do you have a lease (you own the flat) or a tenancy (you rent the flat)?

It's one thing not to read a tenancy agreement, quite another to ignore a a lease.

I have a lease. I live alone. I rarely have people over.

itsthelittlethings

Only in Thursday nights for dinner.

itsthelittlethings

I think the lease states that single occupancy is desirable or similar.

silvercar

itsthelittlethings said:

I think the lease states that single occupancy is desirable or similar.

Strictly enforcing single occupancy could be deemed an unfair contract term.

You already have 2 exit options - via a balcony and via the main entrance, which is more than a lot of people do. 

itsthelittlethings

silvercar said:

itsthelittlethings said:

I think the lease states that single occupancy is desirable or similar.

Strictly enforcing single occupancy could be deemed an unfair contract term.

You already have 2 exit options - via a balcony and via the main entrance, which is more than a lot of people do. 

I don’t have a balcony. I also need to clear my hallway.

Bigphil1474

OP, sounds like you might be slightly over thinking the risks. Wicker covering of a balcony can only spread fire if it can be set on fire to start with and if it can then set something else that is flammable on fire to spread further. Assuming there isn't any flammable cladding on the outside of the building , don't see the big problem myself on a small block.

In terms of extra occupancy, if the tenants are allowed to have a live in partner, or it's at least not prohibited, then in the nicest possible way, I'd say it's none of your business. 

sheramber

itsthelittlethings said:

elsien said:

itsthelittlethings said:

We’ve had various letters about what is and isn’t allowed in our building because of fire regulations. They specifically told us we weren’t allowed to hang washing on balconies and have wicker fencing. My neighbour, who has a small, yappy dog, has wicker fencing round the edge of her (large) balcony to stop the dog jumping over. She says the housing association originally told her it was ok and she can’t afford to replace it with something fire proof. Three balconies at the front of our building have wicker on them, which I wrote to the HA about. They wrote back to say the neighbourhood officer had been to speak to the residents (which I don’t believe) and that it is being monitored.

I don’t particularly feel like I’m going to burn to death in my bed, but better safe than sorry. Is there anything else I can do? This neighbour has already complained about me when I knocked on her door because she left a wardrobe in the hallway. They seem to listen to her but not to me, except when I report faults like the lights being out in the carpark.

Also everyone else is moving their partners in and we are already a small block of flats. Three or four out of ten studio/ single flats are double occupancy now.

Anything in the lease or tenancies  to say that that is not allowed? Any impact  on you at all, because I’m not immediately seeing the relevance of this to your fire query?

I don’t know, I’ve got about three leases and I’m not paying a solicitor to read them to see if I’m allowed to get a partner.

The more people in a block, the harder it is to safely evacuate in case of a fire. We have a stay put policy but in practice, most people go outside, or at least I would if I could get down the stairs.

We have a stay put policy

in which case the number of people in the building is not a problem as you shouldnlt br evacuating.

RedFraggle

I have mobility issues too and I understand how vulnerable it can feel. I also live in a first floor flat. My block also has a stay in place policy
My building has regular fire safety inspections to check fire doors, that communal stairways are clear, doors are closing properly, and to make sure things are in order which is reassuring. 
Some people here have bamboo etc. on balconies for screening but the build is brick so there's not much risk of a fire spreading if one did occur.
if you would struggle to leave in the event of a fire is that registered with the HA? 
My focus has been to ensure my flat is safe and that I know what my actions plan would be should the worst case scenario happen which is: shut all doors, get much loved cat in carrier, shout out of window for assistance so people know I'm here. 

itsthelittlethings

RedFraggle said:

I have mobility issues too and I understand how vulnerable it can feel. I also live in a first floor flat. My block also has a stay in place policy
My building has regular fire safety inspections to check fire doors, that communal stairways are clear, doors are closing properly, and to make sure things are in order which is reassuring. 
Some people here have bamboo etc. on balconies for screening but the build is brick so there's not much risk of a fire spreading if one did occur.
if you would struggle to leave in the event of a fire is that registered with the HA? 
My focus has been to ensure my flat is safe and that I know what my actions plan would be should the worst case scenario happen which is: shut all doors, get much loved cat in carrier, shout out of window for assistance so people know I'm here. 

I am lucky, I don’t have any mobility issues.

We have a stay put policy in place but the notice says to leave if the fire is in your own flat.