Keeping communal areas safe and clear

Communal areas are shared spaces that provide access to homes or act as escape routes.

These include:

• corridors, landings, and stairwells
• shared balconies or walkways serving more than one home
• under stair areas
• shared cupboards
• external shared paths or exits

These areas must always be kept clear so everyone can move around safely.

Why fire safety rules matter

Communal areas are escape routes. In an emergency, residents may need to leave the building quickly, and firefighters need clear access.

Items left in communal areas can:

• block escape routes during an evacuation
• increase the risk of fires starting or spreading
• create trip or slip hazards, especially in smoke filled conditions
• delay emergency services reaching people who need help

After the Grenfell Tower tragedy, fire safety standards became stricter. As your landlord, we have a legal duty to manage these risks and act quickly where safety is compromised.

Our approach to communal areas

We use a managed approach to communal areas wherever it is safe to do so.

This means:

• communal areas should remain mainly clear
• only a very limited number of low risk items may be allowed
• all items must meet strict safety conditions
• permission can be withdrawn at any time if risks increase

If the managed approach is not followed, or if safety cannot be maintained, we may move to a zero tolerance approach, where no personal items are allowed.

Items that may be allowed (managed approach)

The following items may be allowed only if they are safe, well maintained, and do not cause an obstruction:

Doormats

• purpose made and non slip
• in good condition
• must not create a trip hazard

Small wall mounted pictures

• metal frames only
• fully covered with fire resistant glass
• securely fixed to the wall

Decorative plants

• must not block walkways or exits
• pots must be made of metal, ceramic, or clay
• must not create slip hazards or head height obstructions

All communal areas must keep a clear width of at least 1 metre (or the existing width if the area is narrower) at all times.

Items that are not allowed in communal areas

The following items are never allowed, as they pose fire or safety risks:

• prams or pushchairs
• rubbish or black bags
• candles, incense, or naked flames
• mobility scooters
• mopeds, e-scooters and e-bikes
• cycles (unless written permission is given)
• bags, boxes and stored belongings
• combustible furniture
• white goods (for example, fridges and washing machines)
• seasonal decorations
• canvas or textile artwork
• plastic plant pots
• wooden tables
• gym or exercise equipment

Your responsibilities

As a tenant or leaseholder, you must:

• keep communal areas clear and safe
• not store personal items in shared spaces
• not block escape routes or firefighting equipment
• not increase fire risk in communal areas

You must also allow us to inspect and manage communal areas as part of safety checks.

Support for vulnerable or disabled residents

Requests for additional support will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In limited circumstances, a small metal chair or stool may be approved (for example, while waiting for a lift).

Mobility scooters cannot be stored in communal areas, but we will try to help identify alternative solutions where possible.

Please contact your tenancy officer if you need advice or support.

If the rules are broken

We aim to work with residents wherever possible, but safety must come first.

The following applies to items found on inspections:

• non-flammable items: you may be asked to remove them within 48 hours
• flammable or hazardous items may be removed immediately to protect residents

Storage and disposal

You may store items of value for up to 28 days. 

After this: 

• items may be: disposed of
• you may be charged for removal, storage, or disposal

We are not responsible for loss or damage to items left in communal areas

Repeated or serious breaches may be treated as a breach of tenancy or lease, and further action may be taken if necessary.

Advice and permission

If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, or if you need support or adjustments, please contact your tenancy officer before placing anything in a communal area.

Download our policy on communal areas and private balconies storage.