While many of the services provided by Solihull Community Housing’s Estates Team apply to tenants living in all building types, low-rise living presents additional needs and challenges.

A key part of fire safety is to ensure that the means of evacuating from a building is maintained. Estate Services remove items that are in communal areas of both high and low-rise buildings where they are considered to be a potential risk to the safe evacuation of a building.

In high-rise buildings there is already a clear spaces policy regarding free-standing items in communal areas and consideration is being given to what is acceptable in low-rise buildings. In high and low rise buildings, there is already a Clear Spaces Policy with regards to storing or displaying personal items in communal areas.

This approach means residents can be safely evacuated in the event of a fire, and the Fire Service can access all areas of the building with ease. A lot of effort goes into making low-rise buildings safe and information about this is provided to residents who are expected to contribute by ensuring nothing blocks access routes and rubbish is put into the designated areas.

While individuals may disagree with some of the decisions that have been made about access and reducing fire risk, these are based on legal requirements and expert advice, all designed to make your home safer. Co-operation with all safety requirements is expected.

Cleaning is carried out twice a week in low-rise buildings and once a week in mews buildings.
 
SCH carry out a quality inspection every three months which is part of the formal contract management process. However, issues relating to the cleaning will be responded to as they arise.

We advise all residents who wish to place personal items in a communal garden to do so at their own risk. We recommend you seek guidance from our SCH Estates Team first.

The communal gardens are maintained by Solihull’s grounds maintenance contractor.

Outdoor play equipment such as swings, slides, trampolines, swimming pools are not allowed in communal gardens.  We understand that children enjoy playing outdoors especially during the warmer months, however, Solihull Council your landlord do not permit any play equipment in communal areas that we manage on their behalf.

Personal play equipment is unlikely to have been risk assessed like play equipment provided in public parks.  If an accident should occur Solihull Council could be held indirectly liable for allowing accessible play equipment to be placed on their land.

If we identify any play equipment in communal areas, we will place a notice in the communal area giving you a timeline to remove them.

After the timeline, all items within the communal land will be removed from site by us and placed in storage for 2 weeks prior to disposal if they are not claimed; Solihull Community Housing will not be held responsible for any damage caused to play equipment during dismantling, transportation and storage.

Bonfires and BBQ’s are also not allowed in communal gardens due to building safety regulations.

The Council’s grounds maintenance contractor is not responsible for moving plant pots, tubs, garden ornaments or play equipment.

The Council’s contractor will not be liable for any accidental damage.