Communal Area Standards

Clean, safe, well maintained communal areas.

We’ll check communal areas we own every six to eight weeks to make sure they meet Thrive’s Communal Area Standards as laid out on this page.

Please keep internal and external communal areas completely clear to help us keep you safe and report any concerns to us.

This includes any personal items such as furniture, plants, mobility scooters, pictures, pushchairs, doormats, bicycles/scooters, play equipment, rubbish and shoes.

Where we find items that are a hazard to the health and safety of residents, we will issue a Torts notice and ask that the items are removed within 7 days. You can read more about what to do if you receive a Torts notice here Torts Notices

We aim to maintain a full overview of the safety of our buildings and customers. If your ability to evacuate a building may be compromised (for example, due to reduced mobility or cognition), please let us know so we can develop a plan work with the emergency services to get you to safety.

The easiest way to let us know about this is by emailing fire@thrivehomes.org.uk or calling 0800 917 6077.

Our offer: we will remove graffiti and fly-tipping on land we own. Any charges incurred for this work, may be reclaimed through service charges.

What we ask of you: please do not graffiti or fly-tip, or allow friends, family or visitors to do so.

Graffiti and fly-tipping is wilful damage and considered an act of crime. It is a breach of tenancy if carried out by a Thrive tenant, household member or visitor, within the home or shared space.

Our offer to you: the shared areas that belong to Thrive are checked regularly to ensure they meet health & safety standards.

What we ask of you: report any health and safety concerns to us and do not cause any health and safety risks.

We have recently been made aware of an issue with the communal grounds at some of our flat blocks. It has been reported that residents have been unable to fully access the area because of private property being left there.

Following conversations with our insurers, they have advised us that if an incident were to occur as a result of the use of items belonging to customers, it is not covered by our insurance policy. 

To ensure you and your neighbours are able to use the communal grounds safely and fairly we are requesting that the following items are removed from communal grounds;

• Play equipment. This includes but is not limited to slides, swing sets, and trampolines.
• Items that impact upon the grounds maintenance. This includes but is not limited to large or multiple plant pots in the middle of gardens, tables, chairs, and sun loungers.
• Items that are fixed to the ground or wall without prior permission. This includes but is not limited to washing lines, hanging baskets, and hose pipes.

We want our customers to enjoy the communal areas and do not want to discourage children from playing in or bringing their own toys out to these outdoor spaces. All that we ask is that areas are kept clear when not in use.

Unfortunately, if you do not have anywhere to store your play equipment you will need to make arrangements to remove it. Items cannot be left in the communal areas (internal or external).

We do not currently have any plans to install a storage area or sheds within the communal areas at any of our flat blocks.

We would encourage customers to speak to local charities to check if they are able to accept donations or consider selling items.

Residents may also consider selling items on websites such as Gumtree, Nextdoor, or Facebook Marketplace. Any items that Thrive collect will be rechargeable to the customer.

When we identify an issue with items left in communal areas, we write to all residents living in flat blocks and advise that all items should be removed within 7 days from receipt of the letter.

Yes. Our Customer Relations team carry out inspections of all flat blocks every three months and will check items have been removed during these visits. Any items that Thrive collect will be rechargeable to the customer. 

Please see our Torts Notice page for more information on this.

No, we are requesting that all of the following items are removed from communal grounds;

• Play equipment. This includes but is not limited to slides, swing sets, and trampolines.
• Items that impact upon the grounds maintenance. This includes but is not limited to large or multiple plant pots in the middle of gardens, tables, chairs, and sun loungers.

Items that are fixed to the ground or wall without prior permission. This includes but is not limited to washing lines, hanging baskets, and hose pipes

Our Customer Relations team is happy to listen to any feedback and discuss any questions of concerns. The easiest way to contact the team is by emailing enquiries@thrivehomes.org.uk.

For information on how to get unwanted bulky items removed check with your local council authority.

Any items left in communal areas, after the notice period has ended, will be removed and disposed of under the terms of Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977. Any items that Thrive collect will be rechargeable to the customer. 

Find out more on our Torts Notice page.

Items that prevent our grounds maintenance team from having clear access to areas they maintain – for example, individual plant pots on the grass.

• Play equipment. This includes but is not limited to slides, swing sets, and trampolines.
• Items that impact upon the grounds maintenance. This includes but is not limited to large or multiple plant pots in the middle of gardens, tables, chairs, and sun loungers.
• Items that are fixed to the ground or wall without prior permission. This includes but is not limited to washing lines, hanging baskets, and hose pipes.