Who is responsible for communal areas?
The communal areas are owned by Basildon Council who manage them to ensure the Health and Safety of all tenants and leaseholders. They are also known as means of escape routes in the event of a fire.
A communal area is an area that more than one tenant or leaseholder uses to gain access to the front door of their property or, a garden area which is exclusively for the use of the residents. The communal areas are owned by Basildon Council who manage them to ensure the Health and Safety of all tenants and leaseholders. They are also known as means of escape routes in the event of a fire.
These areas include corridors, stairwells, landing areas, lobbies, communal rooms, drying areas, bin stores, bin chute rooms, entrances to the building, gardens, external drying areas, meter cupboards, gas and electric cupboards, and parking areas. This list is not exhaustive.
Communal areas are not an extension of a resident's property and cannot be used for personal items or as an additional room.
The communal areas include the building structure and walls. No items should be affixed to these areas without permission.
Communal gardens are for the enjoyment of all residents on a scheme or in a flat block. The Council manages these gardens and residents pay a service charge for the grass cutting, pruning etc.
Permission must be sought from Basildon Council for any improvements to communal gardens, for the erection of sheds or any storage facility.
Communal walkways and gardens must not be segregated for a persons' own use, or for things such as children's play equipment or personal furniture, or to lay patios or decking, or alter the use of the garden.
Refuse sacks or other items should not be placed or stored in communal areas and should be disposed of in the correct bin/recycling container and placed out for collection on the specified day for your area.
Basildon Council offer a chargeable Bulky Waste collection service for household items:
If you need to report an issue with a communal area such as dumped rubbish or items outside a resident's front door, please complete the following form ADD FORM TO REPORT ITEMS IN COMMUNAL AREAS
If you require any further information on communal areas, please contact the Tenancy Services Team: