Using common areas

Making sure everyone feels comfortable in the stairwell, laundry room, garage and other common areas

A bike in the entrance hall, shoes in front of a door, a dirty laundry room – these things happen from time to time in shared-use spaces. Is it fair to get bothered by them or should you regard them as harmless lapses? Here’s what the tenancy law says.

General use of communal areas

In principle, shared-use rooms aren’t part of the rented property. That’s why tenancy law does not allow furniture or other items to be placed in stairwells and similar locations. Exceptions require a written agreement with the landlord and must take fire regulations into account. 

Stairwells

There’s one golden rule when it comes to stairwells: escape routes need to be kept clear at all times so the fire brigade or emergency services can access the apartments unhindered in an emergency and so tenants can get out. These escape routes need to be at least 1.20 metres wide.

Ensuring that objects aren’t stored here and that passageways aren’t blocked also helps the building’s caretaker with their cleaning work and shows consideration for your neighbours. The only thing you’re allowed to leave outside your door is the doormat.

But what should you do with your pram or your bike? There are often designated storage spaces for these kinds of items, or, alternatively, spots under the stairs on the ground floor that don’t block the escape routes. But remember that tenants have to get permission to store items in each instance. 

Tip: when you view an apartment, ask about any storage spaces you might need. This could be a key criterion when you’re choosing somewhere to live.

Garage

If you rent a parking space in a garage, you can’t use it to store things as well. The rules regarding escape routes apply here, too; under tenancy law, a parking space can generally only be used for its intended purpose.

But what about your summer tyres, for example? The rules depend on the size and layout of the garage. Contact us or your property manager before storing things in your parking space. 

Laundry rooms

People often have questions about shared-use laundry rooms. Can I do my washing late in the evening or on a Sunday? How long can I hang my washing on the line for? Who is responsible for cleaning the laundry room? Tenancy law doesn’t provide straightforward answers as it doesn’t cover laundry rooms. As a result, the agreements set out in the house rules for the property in question apply. 

Seek out dialogue

What if my neighbours aren’t sticking to the rules? We recommend discussing the issue and letting them know that you’re bothered by the items in question or that you’re worried about compliance with fire protection regulations. In certain cases, they might have been given special permission, as described above. Ask our property management team or your property manager for further details.

By the way, you can find more questions and answers, along with information about house rules, in our FAQs.