Housekeeping

The Residents Information Pack is a handy source of housekeeping information.  Here are some specific items which have come up in the past and been noted in items in the blog:


Fire Safety

To avoid tragedies like this ...
See the latest advice for what to do if there is a fire.  Keep fire doors closed at all times and don't block fire exits like this or this or this.  Balconies are fire escape routes (for you and your neighbours) and so must not be blocked.

See also the London Fire Brigade Fire safety at home page and the government collection of fire safety related documents.

Rubbish

Use your service cupboard for waste rather than leaving waste outside your flat in the corridors.  See this site for details of City refuse services.


Noise

The Department of the Environment have a page about noise.  It begins: "Councils must look into complaints about noise that could be a ‘statutory nuisance’(covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990)".

There is a specific agreement with the cinemas and cote regarding noise.

For deliveries, the City Environmental Health team  request that deliveries/collections are made between the hours of 07:00 and 23:00 hours.

Work Around the Barbican Estate (not in flats)

For works near the estate, but not in the residential parts of the buildings, there are defined hours for "noisy works" such as drilling or removal of structural elements or partitions.  Such works may only take place between 10:00 and 16:00 and it is suggested that you recommend to your contractors that noisy work between 12:00 & 14:00 be avoided.

On Saturdays noisy works (e.g. street cleaning or building works) are permitted between 09:00 and 14:00.


Noisy Works in Flats

There are separate rules which apply to work done within flats.  Work may be carried out from 09:00 to 17:00 during work days (i.e. any day except weekends or bank holidays).  On the days when works are allowed, *noisy* work (drilling holes etc) is only permitted between 10:00 and 16:00.  In addition it is recommended that no noisy work happens over lunch, between 12:00 and 14:00.  If you need a break from noisy works (eg to have a meeting from home) the BEO suggest that you knock on the door of the flat which is the source of the noise and ask for a break, or contact your house officer and ask them to contact the flat.  The flat in question will have no obligation to desist from noisy works between 10:00 and 16:00 on work days.

All waste from works must be removed on a daily basis.  Lift curtains (available from the CPA) must be used for works activities.  Any damage to common parts (lifts, walls, doors, stairs etc.) must be paid for by the party responsible for causing the damage.

Let your neighbours know in advance of any works you have planned.