Living In Flats This section tells you about: • • • • • • • • • • • •
How to minimise noise and nuisance. Fire precautions. Security – Door entry systems. Refuse disposal. Keeping pets in flats. Drying areas/Laundry facilities. Communal areas and gardens. Window cleaning. Parking. TV aerials and satellite dishes. Repairs. Lifts.
1
How To Minimise Noise And Nuisance The Association wants all its tenants to enjoy their homes, and take pleasure from living in a friendly, caring community. Please make sure that your family and visitors consider your neighbours. Obviously, living in a flat means you are closer to your neighbours than if you live in a house, and noise will travel more easily. This means that you should take extra care not to cause a nuisance to your neighbours. For example, in the hot weather when windows are wide open, remember that the sound of your TV, radio or CD player travels further, so please keep the volume down. Think about elderly people who live near you, or people with young children who may go to bed earlier than you, and try not to make a lot of noise late at night. If you are planning a party, let your neighbours know in advance - in fact, why not ask them to come over and join in! If you are planning some DIY, or other noisy activities, be courteous, and let your neighbours know what you are planning to do. Laminate or wooden flooring can cause a lot of noise for someone living below you. You must always seek permission from us before installing such flooring. If we think this will cause too much noise for your neighbours we may refuse permission. Remember – a little bit of consideration goes a long way!
2
Fire Precautions Fire precautions are in place for the safety and security of all residents. Please ensure that you: • Do not store rubbish, household waste, furniture or other belongings in any communal hallways, stairs, stairwells or landings. Such material could pose a fire risk, as well as impeding escape routes from the building. • Do not tamper or interfere with any security or safety equipment, e.g. smoke detectors. • Do not jam fire doors open. • Do not smoke in communal areas. • Do not store bottled gas, paraffin, petrol or any other dangerous goods in your home or any communal areas. In the event of a fire, follow the instructions, which are displayed on your communal notice board. Fire alarms are located on each floor of all blocks of flats. The alarm can be raised by smashing the glass on the front. Do NOT use any lifts in the event of a fire.
3
Security - Door Entry Systems Many flats have a door entry system; this means that access is restricted to residents and their guests. This should increase security for the block and ensure greater privacy for you and other residents. For the system to work it is important that you shut the main door when you enter or leave and that you do not let anyone in that you don’t know. There is a trade button that is set at various times to allow your milk, post and papers to be delivered. Any problems with the door entry system should be reported to Taff Housing Association on 029 2025 9100. Please note: Communal doors should under no circumstances be wedged open as they are special fire doors and will help protect you should a fire break out in the building.
CCTV Some schemes will have CCTV as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour. We will put signs up on any schemes where there is permanent CCTV in operation, and we will pass on any data to the police should incidents occur and be reported to us. We will not be able to release images to residents, but will fully cooperate with any police investigations.
4
Refuse Disposal Please ensure rubbish is not left on landings, stairwells or any other communal areas. Most blocks of flats have communal bin stores where you can dispose of your rubbish. Rubbish should always be placed in the designated paladins/bins in the bin store area, and not on the street or communal areas around the bin store. The bin store will be emptied by Cardiff Council’s refuse collection service on an allocated day of the week. Anyone found dumping rubbish in unauthorised areas will be charged for the cost of removing it. For the free removal of bulky items please contact Cardiff County Council on 029 2087 2087.
5
Keeping Pets In Flats We do not always allow pets to be kept in flats. This is because some flats are not suitable for some types of pets. For example, we do not normally allow cats or dogs to be kept in flats, unless it is in a ground floor flat with access to a private garden area. If you would like to keep a pet, you must get permission in writing from us first.
6
Drying Areas/Laundry Facilities Most blocks of flats have shared washing lines/drying areas, and some also have laundry rooms where there are washing machines and tumble dryers. Please remember that other people need to use these facilities, so collect your washing as quickly as possible. The laundry is for the use of tenants of the scheme only. You must not take in washing for anyone else, or allow anyone else to use the facilities. Taff Housing Association is responsible for maintaining these areas and for replacing washing lines/machines when necessary. You pay for this service in your service charge. Any faults should be reported to the office on 029 2025 9100, or the Estates Assistant for the block.
7
Communal Areas And Gardens
Most communal areas are cleaned and maintained by an Estates Assistant. This includes corridors, stairs, stairwells, and landings. There is a rota on your scheme notice board which will tell you when your Estates Assistant will be working at the scheme. If you have any concerns about this service, please speak to your Estates Assistant, or contact the office on 029 2025 9100. We employ a grounds maintenance contractor to look after any communal garden areas. This includes mowing the grass, weeding, trimming trees and plants, and litter picking. Your Estates Assistant is responsible for monitoring the standard of this service. Please advise him if you have any concerns. You pay a service charge for these services. If, as a resident you would prefer to maintain these areas yourself, please contact your Housing Officer.
8
Window Cleaning In some schemes we employ a window cleaner to clean the outside of the windows on a regular basis. You will have to clean the inside of the windows yourself. If you feel that this service is not regular enough, or if you experience any problems with this service, please inform your Estates Assistant. You pay a service charge for this service.
9
Parking If you have a car, you should use the parking spaces provided. We cannot always provide a parking space for every flat, and therefore parking is on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Tenants always take precedence over visitors when it comes to parking spaces. Where parking permits have been issued, these must be visible on your windscreen. Do not park your vehicle: • Where it will block access for any emergency vehicles. • On the garden, on footpaths, pavements or grass verges. • In spaces marked for the use of disabled residents, unless you have a valid disability badge. Do not park large commercial lorries, buses or vans in residential areas even if they are used for your job. Caravans are only allowed for very occasional overnight parking.
TV Aerials And Satellite Dishes Most blocks of flats have a communal television aerial. You must get permission from us before you have a dish fitted. In addition, dishes on flats are restricted by planning regulations. If you install a satellite dish, it is your responsibility to obtain any necessary permission from the Council Planning Department. You are responsible for any damage which occurs while fitting the dish.
10
Repairs If you live in a block of flats, it may be necessary for us to get into your flat to remedy a repair, even if the fault is not in your flat. This could be, for example, if there is a leak from the flat above you. For further information about our repairs service, please see the section on ‘Repairs and Maintenance’. The Association is also responsible for all repairs to the outside building and structure of a block of flats. If you have any repair concerns, please contact your Building Surveyor on 029 2025 9100.
11
Lifts The lifts are covered by a 24-hour breakdown service. If the lift is not working, please inform your Estates Assistant or contact the office on 029 2025 9100. If someone is trapped in a lift, ring the emergency telephone number on the sign. The contractor will attend promptly to free them. A list of the telephone numbers for our out of hours service is located on your scheme notice board. They are also listed in the ‘Repairs and Maintenance’ section of this handbook. Please Note: In the event of a fire the lift must not be used.
12