Clear Corridor Policy

Communal Areas

These are hallways, staircases, balconies, and bin areas in and around the flats where you live.

The common area is not an extension of your home and is not a communal amenity area.

Common areas are no smoking spaces. We need your help to keep landings and stairwells clear and free of any obstructions, trip, and fire hazards.

These hazards may include pushchairs, prams or buggies, rubbish bags, wheeled bins, lockers and cabinets, washing machines, tumble dryers and other goods awaiting disposal, unwanted bedding and mattresses, children’s toys and play furniture, shopping trolleys, loose carpets, plant pots, unwanted mail and newspapers, mobility scooters, and e-bikes.

Mobility scooters including e-bikes are not allowed to be stored/charged in any communal area due to the high fire risk they pose. If you are considering getting a mobility scooter, please contact your Tenancy Officer or Specialist Support Officer. Mobility scooters should be kept inside your home. Contact us for advice and assistance where this might not be considered feasible. A formal risk assessment will need to be undertaken.

Bicycles must not be stored in communal areas as they could hamper evacuation.

Residents should find alternative storage locations.

Fire doors to escape stairways should not be held open (only permitted if a hold open or free swing device is fitted).

Bin store doors should be kept closed - large items of household waste such as furniture should not be left in the bin store. Residents should make arrangements for them to be collected.

Individual wheelie bins should not be left in communal areas or under staircases. Where provided, wheelie bins should be stored in areas away from the building.

Electrical cupboards must not be used for storage.

Storage cupboards on landings should not be used to locate and use electrical appliances.

Doors to storage cupboards should be kept locked shut.

Keeping items in the communal and shared spaces is a breach of the Stevenage Borough Council Tenancy Agreement, The Fire Safety Order 2005, and The Housing Act 2004.

We may write to you where there are persistent issues of concern. In extreme cases and where we feel that items are causing an obstruction or a fire hazard, we will remove articles without notice.

Periodically, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue will inspect the common and shared areas to check they are in a safe condition.

The risk of arson can be a particular problem in these areas. Extra vigilance must be taken when these areas are being used and with what is stored in them.

If you notice any items left in communal areas, please contact us so that we can arrange the removal of them.