Grounds maintenance and communal areas
We’re responsible for keeping any grounds around your home that we own, as well as any communal areas, clean and well-maintained.
Communal gardens
SNG has a legal responsibility to keep these areas safe and we can’t do this if play equipment or pools have been installed. We wouldn’t be able to confirm if it’s been correctly installed or to undertake regular inspections or maintenance.
Play equipment
- Please do not install any large play equipment in a communal garden. This includes trampolines, slides and swings.
- If we consider that any play equipment placed in communal areas is unsuitable, we will serve a tort notice and remove it if the owner has not done so within the period stated. Sovereign will not be held liable for any compensation claimed as a result of removing such items.
Swimming and paddling pools
- Swimming and paddling pools, including hot tubs, are not allowed in communal areas due to the risk of accidental drowning and water borne viruses.
- If any pools are found in communal areas, we will serve a tort notice and remove it if the owner has not done so within the period stated. Sovereign will not be held liable for any compensation claimed as a result of removing such items.
Fireworks
- Fireworks are not permitted on any of our communal land or on balconies.
Improving grounds and communal areas
- Repairing and maintaining our homes, grounds and communal areas.
- Working in partnership with you and other agencies to make sure our neighbourhoods are safe, completing repairs outside the home quickly.
- Checking contractors are doing a good job.
- Publicising our cleaning and grounds maintenance specification of works.
- Working with you to understand and respond to concerns and priorities in your community.
- Encouraging and supporting you to get involved in improving your community.
- Keep you informed of our activities in your community.
- Looking after your home and garden (if you have one).
- Reporting any repairs in your home, communal areas or neighbourhood quickly.
- Keeping communal areas tidy and clear of things like bikes, buggies or scooters – to make sure escape routes are clear, in the event of a fire.
- Letting us know if maintenance is needed in your neighbourhood – especially if we need to deal with anything that might cause an accident.
- We expect you to keep your garden tidy and not dump rubbish.
If you live in one of our supported housing schemes for disabled or older people, we'll grit your communal areas in icy conditions. Contact us if there’s an additional area at one of these schemes which you think should be gritted, and we'll look into this.
We’re not responsible for public footpaths and roads though, so you’ll need to contact your local authority to ask about gritting in these areas.