Purpose

The Council has duties to manage fire safety in common parts of its residential buildings and to ensure escape routes remain clear and usable at all times. Storage and accumulation of items in communal areas and on balconies can increase fire load, create obstructions, and hinder emergency response and routine maintenance.

The policy introduces clear standards on permitted and prohibited items and confirms that personal storage in communal areas is not permitted by default. It also provides for a risk-based “managed approach” in defined circumstances, supported by fire risk assessment and time-limited, item-specific approvals, with the ability to move to zero tolerance where risk or behaviour warrants it.

The policy also clarifies tenant obligations, the support offer for residents who may need assistance to comply, and the enforcement framework for dealing with non-compliance, fly-tipping, and abandoned goods.

Decision

On 17 July 2026, Cllr Steve Davies, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness made the following decision:

That the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness approves the Housing Landlord Communal Areas and Private Balcony Storage Policy.

Any member of the Council, who is not a Portfolio Holder, who considers that this decision should be reviewed should give notice using the call-in facility at the top of this page on the Council’s intranet / extranet site. Alternatively, notice can be given to the Monitoring Officer (Matt Wisdom) (in writing or by e-mail) to be received ON OR BY 5.15 pm on 24 July 2026.

Details of the document the Portfolio Holder considered are attached below.

Reasons for the decision

The adoption of the Housing Landlord Communal Areas and Private Balcony Storage policy is required to enable the Council to comply with its duties under Fire Safety regulations and allows for a transparent approach for tenants

Alternative options considered

See report.