When we talk about communal areas, we mean stairs, lifts, landings, entrance halls, paving, shared gardens, parking areas and the general neighbourhood around your home.
The council is responsible for the upkeep and repair of communal areas. But we ask that if you notice any areas that are in need of attention, that you contact your local office, who will try to sort out the problem as soon as possible.
You must be considerate towards other tenants when using such areas, and ensure that you keep them safe and clean.
For example, don't leave your rubbish outside your door - put it in the allocated rubbish area.
The Council does not allow tenants to keep animals that are seen to be unsuitable, for example, horses, on their properties. Domestic animals, eg dogs, cats, etc may be kept in properties if they do not become a nuisance to other tenants.
However, If you live in a maisonette, flat or sheltered accommodation and live above ground level, you must gain written permission from the council before getting a pet.
Exotic pets eg snakes or tarantulas are not considered suitable animals to be kept in a council property. If you are thinking of getting a pet, we advise you to get permission from your Estate Officer before buying it.
From the 1st July 2007 it is against the law to smoke in any 'public enclosed space'. This includes any lifts, lobbies, stairwells etc. within any council owned property and applies to all residents and their visitors.
If you live in a flat, please remember that due to the design and build of the flats, noise travels further, and try to be considerate towards your neighbours. Please keep noise down to a reasonable level at all times.
We also ask that you are especially careful when doing work in your flat - DIY can be noisy, inconvenient and distressing to your neighbours.
If you are going out, show consideration to your neighbours - don't let the door to your flat or that to the entrance of the block bang and do not make a noise on the stairs.
We understand that there are many difficulties in bringing children up in a block of flats. However, please do not let them cycle, roller skate, use skateboards or go-karts or play ball games in corridors, entrance halls and communal areas.
For safety reasons, children should not play near glassed areas, near lifts, on stairways or on balconies.
Although some blocks of flats have parking spaces available nearby - it must be appreciated that these spaces are limited. Please do not park on pavements, footpaths, grass verges or other grassed areas and do not obstruct access roads.
Please do not leave rubbish outside your door or on the stairs, as this can be unhygienic and hazardous. Put your rubbish bags down the rubbish chute - if a bag does not fit, please do not force it as it may block the chute; take it to the bin area. Please cooperate with any recycling initiatives that are in operation on your estate.
In the event of a fire or heavy smoke in the building it is often safer to remain in your flat.
If you are unable to leave your flat because of flames or smoke in the lobby area, close the door.
If the room becomes smoky, crawl along the floor where it is easier to breathe, because smoke rises.
Some dos and don'ts:
If there is a problem with the lifts, contact your local office or the repairs line on 0800 074 0169 as soon as possible.
If you get stuck in the lift, press the alarm button and wait calmly until the problem is resolved and you are let out. The alarm button rings in the block and the caretaker will follow the emergency procedure to get you out safely and as quickly as possible.
Please remember that it is your responsibility to keep the drying area on your landing clean - caretakers do not hold keys to these rooms.
As well as having rights as a Tenant, there are also several obligations and responsibilities which you must keep to. You can read about these on the Your Tenancy Explained page.
