We want you to enjoy your home and the area around it. Our neighbourhood approach focuses on keeping shared spaces safe, clean and well looked after, while working with residents to build places people are proud to live in.
This page explains what we do in communal areas, what you can expect from us, and how you can help look after your neighbourhood.
Our neighbourhood management approach
Neighbourhood management is about more than maintenance. It brings together our estate services, tenancy management and communities team. working to make sure neighbourhoods are:
Safe – meeting fire, health and safety requirements
Clean and well maintained – inside and outside communal areas
Fairly and consistently managed – with clear standards and responsibilities
Shaped with residents – listening to feedback and acting where we can
We take a consistent approach across all our neighbourhoods, while recognising that different areas, including rural and more remote communities may need different solutions.
Communal areas – what this means
Communal areas are shared spaces used by more than one household. These can include:
Stairwells, lifts, corridors and landings
Walkways and entrances
Courtyards and shared outdoor spaces
Communal bin stores and meter cupboards
Keeping these areas clear and safe is essential. Items left in communal areas can block escape routes and create serious fire and safety risks.
What you can expect from us
Keeping communal areas safe
We have a responsibility to make sure communal areas meet fire and safety requirements. To do this, we:
Carry out regular checks of internal and external communal areas
Make sure escape routes are kept clear
Check safety signage, lighting and security doors
Arrange repairs where issues are identified
We operate a zero tolerance approach to items left in communal areas. Any items found may be removed without notice and dealt with under the legal process set out in our notices.
Cleaning and grounds maintenance
Where we own or manage shared outdoor spaces, we are responsible for maintaining them. This includes:
Grass cutting and hedge, shrub and tree maintenance
Keeping paths, yards and hardstanding areas clear of litter and leaves
Cleaning internal communal areas, including floors, windows and lighting
If standards fall short, we want to know so we can put things right, you can let us know via [email protected]
What we ask of our customers
Living in a shared environment means everyone has a part to play. We ask residents to:
Keep communal areas clear – do not store personal belongings in shared spaces
Dispose of waste properly – use bins correctly and do not leave rubbish or bulky items in communal areas
Be considerate – avoid causing nuisance to neighbours through noise, smoking or misuse of shared spaces
Look after outdoor areas – supervise pets and clear up after them
Leaving items in communal areas or disposing of waste incorrectly may be treated as a breach of your tenancy or lease.
Fire safety in communal areas
Fire safety is a priority. To help keep everyone safe:
Communal areas must be kept free of obstructions at all times
Barbecues are not permitted on balconies and must be used safely and away from buildings where allowed
Mobility scooters, ebikes and escooters must not be stored or charged in internal communal areas
Smoking is not allowed in enclosed communal spaces
Fire action and safety notices are displayed in communal areas and should always be followed.
Fly tipping and bulky items
Fly tipping is illegal and includes dumping rubbish or leaving waste where it should not be. This can lead to enforcement action and fines.
If you need to get rid of large household items, you should use your local council’s bulky waste collection or recycling centre. Items must not be left in communal areas while waiting for collection.
If you see fly tipping, please report it to the local council via the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk or North Norfolk District Council
Working with residents
We know neighbourhoods work best when residents are involved. Your feedback helps us:
Understand what matters most in your area
Improve how we manage shared spaces
Make sure our services are fair and consistent
We regularly review our neighbourhood approach and use customer feedback to shape improvements – Have your say via [email protected]
Reporting a problem or getting in touch
You can contact us to:
Report issues in communal areas
Raise concerns about safety or cleanliness
Report antisocial behaviour
Ask for advice about living in a shared environment
Getting in touch early helps us deal with problems before they escalate. Contact us via [email protected] or by calling 0333 2404 444
This page should be read alongside your tenancy agreement and our neighbourhood management and communal area guidance.
