Keeping communal areas clear and safe
City Housing Directorate has a responsibility for where you live, and this includes making sure all communal areas in high and low-rise flats meet fire and safety requirements.
Items stored or left in communal areas, which are shared spaces, are a fire hazard. They can prevent people from leaving the building safely in the event of a fire.
The Fire and Rescue Services outline that storing belongings in these communal areas can pose a real risk to everyone’s safety and can prevent them from doing their job in an emergency.
It’s important we all do what we can to prevent these fire hazards which is why we must adopt a zero-tolerance approach going forwards.
If you currently have items stored or left in these spaces, you must remove them immediately. These are including but not limited to:
- prams
- pushchairs
- bicycles or scooters (manual and electric)
- soft furnishings
- furniture or decorative items
- children’s toys
- shoes or other household items
We have produced an information booklet on keeping communal areas clear and safe, and remember the best way to look after yourselves and your possessions is to keep them inside your home.
Mobility scooters, e-bikes and e-scooters
The Fire and Rescue Services have recently warned that they have seen a huge spike in fires involving electric bikes, e-scooters, and mobility scooters.
We recognise that these are becoming common modes of transport, but these devices must be stored and charged within your homes and not in communal areas.
If we see electric bikes or e-scooters in communal areas, they will be removed immediately. This will happen without prior notice and they will be placed into storage with retrieval costs applied.
With regards to mobility scooters, if these cannot be stored inside your flat you must contact the contact centre by phoning 0121 216 3030 immediately.
We will look to support you to consider alternative models or other suitable storage arrangements.
For specific information relating to mobility scooters and e-bikes, visit our mobility scooters and e-bikes page.
Page last updated: 2 August 2024