We’re here to help you get ready to enjoy your shared outdoor spaces this summer.
To make sure everyone stays safe, remains mindful of their neighbours and has a great experience while enjoying the warmer weather, we have some friendly reminders about what you can and cannot use in communal areas.
Swimming and paddling pools, including hot tubs, are not allowed in communal areas due to the risk of accidental drowning and water borne viruses.
When using barbecues or fire pits, please ensure that they are never left unattended while lit, cooking, or cooling. Additionally, barbecues and fire pits should not be used on balconies, and they should be kept away from sides of buildings, sheds, fences, trees, shrubs, garden waste, or any other combustible items.
Gas cylinders should be stored away from direct sunlight, and after use and once cooled, fire pits, barbecues and their cylinders and should be put away in a store/shed and not left in communal areas. Make sure to allow barbecue coals or charcoal to cool down before disposing of them and always dispose of all rubbish and packaging responsibly. Please see Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue’s website for more information on safe barbecuing.
Trampolines and any other fixed or temporary play equipment, including slides and swings, are not permitted in communal gardens or courtyards. This rule is in place to guarantee a safe environment for everyone.
Please remember to store any garden furniture after each use and refrain from leaving it in the communal area/garden to ensure the safety of all residents.
Our Tenancy Management team will be actively monitoring the communal areas and removing any equipment that is not permitted. If you have any doubts about what you can and cannot use, please don't hesitate to contact your Housing Officer, who will be more than happy to assist you.
With warm weather comes more social gatherings in gardens, communal places and the outdoors. Unfortunately, this can increase littering and fly-tipping in certain areas. We ask you to be considerate and ensure all rubbish and items are picked up and disposed of correctly, keeping our community clean and safe this summer for everyone to enjoy.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence. Those caught fly-tipping can be prosecuted and could face a fixed penalty notice for small-scale offences as well as larger incidents. You can report fly-tipping here.
Alongside littering and fly-tipping, Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) can also increase. We want you to have fun and enjoy the nice weather, but please be mindful of loud music and noise outside of social hours. If you are experiencing ASB in your area, then please click here for our good neighbourhood management and ASB toolkit and information on how to report it.
Warm weather or a heatwave may be a risk to your health, so it’s important to make sure it does not harm you or anyone you know. The main risks posed by a heatwave are dehydration from not drinking enough water, overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
To cope in the hot weather, the NHS share the following advice:
Keep out of the heat if you can. Stay in the shade if you must go outside, especially between 11am – 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that may make you even hotter.
Cool yourself down. Eat cold food and drink cold drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night, use electric fans and the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
A heatwave can affect anyone, including older people, those who live on their own or who may have a health condition, so please make sure you check on neighbours this summer.
