How we keep shared spaces safe and welcoming for all | Tenant news

Your safety and comfort are at the heart of everything we do, and we want you to feel secure not just inside your home but throughout every shared space in your community.

That’s why we keep communal areas safe and welcoming through regular inspections and maintenance to prevent hazards.

Inspections and maintenance

Our Neighbourhood teams conduct routine health and safety checks to ensure communal spaces are clear of obstacles and well maintained.

They inspect corridors, stairwells, and lifts, test fire alarms, manage water hygiene and electrical safety to reduce risks, and ensure emergency lighting is operational.

If we find unsafe items, like those blocking fire exits or broken fire doors, we remove them right away, especially if they pose a serious risk.

We also place signs on belongings that need to be cleared, so you have a chance to remove them safely.

Service standards

The Neighbourhood teams follow a neighbourhood service standard that is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure we meet your needs. This includes gathering feedback from tenant satisfaction surveys, which are managed by an independent provider.

We monitor and record all inspections and their results, maintain detailed records of health and safety checks, and conduct tenancy audits to keep our records accurate and up to date.

We also invite our involved tenants to take part in reviewing our performance and our service standards to help us continually improve the quality of your community. An involved tenant is someone who takes part in activities that help shape and improve our services, such as giving feedback, joining discussions or taking part in reviews.

You can learn more about our neighbourhood service standard on our website.

Tenant responsibilities

As safety is a shared responsibility, there are simple ways you can contribute to keeping communal areas safe. You can:

• Ensure corridors, stairwells, and entrance halls free from prams, bikes, scooters, and other belongings that might block escape routes.
• Avoid storing rubbish or personal items in communal areas unless a designated storage space has been provided.
• Get written permission from us before adding curtains, blinds, mats, or decorations in communal areas to ensure they meet fire safety standards.
• Ensure fire doors are closed; never wedge them open or tamper with door closers.
• Report any damage to fire doors or your front door immediately, as these are vital in slowing smoke and flames during a fire.

It’s also important to know your building’s evacuation plan. These plans are displayed in communal areas, so please take a moment to review them. In an emergency, clear, unobstructed routes are vital to getting everyone out quickly and safely.

Finally, please be mindful when disposing of rubbish. Use designated bins and make sure cigarettes or matches are fully extinguished before throwing them away. Taking these small steps can help prevent accidental fires and keep communal areas tidy and safe.

If you have any questions or concerns about health and safety on your scheme, please speak with your Neigbourhood team or call our Customer Services Team at Habinteg Direct on 0300 365 3100.

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