Keeping your Balcony Safe, Clean and Compliant
A Guide to Balcony Safety
Your Balcony
We recognise that many of you enjoy the health benefits of sitting outdoors and may use your balcony for this reason. We also know that balconies became particularly important during the pandemic providing fresh air, relaxation and outdoor space when everyone had to stay at home. Since then, items being stored on balconies appear to have increased.
The wellbeing and safety of you, your family and visitors is extremely important to us and we have a duty to ensure that balconies are used safely and appropriately. We also want our estates to look attractive and be a pleasant, safe environment for everyone to live in.
Balancing tenant wellbeing with building regulations, safety standards and potential nuisance concerns can be challenging, so it’s important that we set out how balconies should be used and what you can and cannot keep on them for the health, safety and welfare of everyone. Please can you take a moment to review the following guidelines for storing items on your balcony:
We will only allow:
- Small table and chairs - these should be weather resistant (if you have small children, that can pose a significant risk if they climb on them)
- Potted plants - in weatherproof secured containers to prevent falling or blowing off, and not hanging over the balcony edges (watering should be done carefully to avoid dripping onto neighbours’ balconies)
- Temporary clothes airer at low level - for drying laundry
- Light, non-obstructive personal items - for example a child’s pushchair or small bike stored neatly and not blocking your access
- A small storage box - which is weather resistant
We will NOT allow:
- Flammable materials - for example, propane tanks, lighter fluid, carboard, paper, or wood piles (smoking & vaping should be avoided)
- Barbecue’s, fire pits, chimineas or any open flames
- Electrical items
- Decorative fencing - for example bamboo, reed or plastic screening, or wooden trellis
- Internal furniture - not designed for outdoor use
- Large storage boxes
- Heavy or large items
- E-bikes and e-scooters
- Permanent Fixtures - for example artificial grass, decking, mounted items
- Food, pet waste or other rubbish
Balconies are open spaces and part of the overall building aesthetics and safety. They are designed for light use and should not be overloaded. Your balcony should be kept neat and presentable as any visible clutter affects the appearance of the building.
Please help us to maintain a safe and pleasant environment for everyone by following these guidelines. We will carry out regular checks as part of our routine estate inspections to ensure that everyone is doing their bit.
If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact the Housing Team through your My Home account, by emailing enquiries@elha.com or by phoning 01620 825032.
Thank you for your cooperation.