Landlords warned about the potentially catastrophic damage caused by e-bikes and e-scooters
3 years ago | 2 comments
Bike storage in flats?
12:01 AM, 2nd August 2023, 3 years ago
12
Hello, I own a Victorian 3-bed rental property in London, it is a first-floor flat and I also own 2/3 of the freehold of the property which has one other ground-floor flat below it.
Three new tenants are moving in soon and want to store their bikes against the railings inside the front area of the property. The owner of the ground floor flat doesn’t want them stored there and suggested the new tenants should carry them up 2 flights of stairs to their flat.
This would be impractical and most likely damage the walls in the hallway and stairs. I wondered where I stood on the situation and if my 2/3 ownership of the freehold holds and away.
Thanks,
DBAR
Tags:
bike storage, bike storage in rented property, freehold property, new tenants moving in with bikes
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Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 145
9:49 AM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
unless you have granted an exclusive lease of the front garden to the ground floor flat he cant really do much to stop the bikes being parked there
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 198
10:00 AM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
I’m sure you’ll have considered bike storage unit outside if there was sufficient space/option for this. Alternatively is there no option inside the foyer to install bike hooks. Not very decorative but serve the necessary purpose. You have to decide what best serves your property in terms of possible damage and tenant harmony. There is a solution but at the detriment to one tenant’s wants!
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 18
10:01 AM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 02/08/2023 – 10:00
A fire escape hazard and damages the property. I wouldn’t allow it.
Member Since June 2022 - Comments: 111
10:03 AM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
Even though you have 2/3 of the Freehold there will still be a lease.
What does that say?
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1642 - Articles: 3
10:07 AM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
If you own the freehold to the front area, you can do what you want. Rather than have them locked to the railings [which isn’t secure], I would invest in a lockable bike rack. This would be available to others in the property.
Otherwise, your tenants will be carrying them up and down stairs, with the inevitable damage to walls, and storing them in your flat, which may damage the flooring/carpet.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 198
11:17 AM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 02/08/2023 – 10:00
I’ve just realised the person who is protesting to bike storage is the owner of the property not one of your tenant’s. Either way if it’s your property you can do what is the best outcome for your property and tenants.
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 189
12:29 PM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
If this is within the building then it almost certainly will contravene the new fire regulations which state that communal areas must be kept clear of all personal belongings. You say railings so if it is in an open forecourt area then that will probably not apply.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
12:35 PM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 02/08/2023 – 10:07
agreed. If you own the FH you can do what you like in the front area. Best come to an amicable solution while stating the legal standing to the ground floor occupant.
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 189
12:44 PM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 02/08/2023 – 12:35
Owning the freehold does not mean you can do what you like, you still have to comply with the lease and fire regs. Also DBAR does not say if the ground floor flat owner has the other one third which makes it more a problem or if that is owned by someone else e.g. the top floor flat
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 317
1:49 PM, 2nd August 2023, About 3 years ago
I would work an amicable solution with the ground floor owner. For example.
I own a ground floor flat but not the front garden as the upstairs flat owns that.
My tenants wanted to store bikes so I came to an amicable agreement with the owner upstairs that I would buy a bike store and would ‘rent’ space to place the bike store in the front garden. The upstairs owner was happy with extra income from this rent and tenants were happy to keep the bikes secure.