communal areas Lifestyle
toAllgetherNOW *
emmasmith findswaysto
make communal areas warmand homely
Whetheryoulive inamodern block of three hundred apartments or an Edwardianconversion consisting of threesmall flats, the
lobby or entrance hall is themost used space – and often themost neglected. As a landlord, you need to create the
rightimage andenhance your ‘curbappeal’. Tenantsorowner occupiersare oftenbuying into alifestyleand so thelobbyorentrance hallmakesanimportant first impressionyou cannot afford to ignore. As a flat owner, you are keen to see evidence
ofwhereyourservice chargehas gone andyou also wantyourvisitorstofeelwelcomeand
safe.Beforeyou thinkabout howtofurnish this space or rush outtobuy that outlandish paintcolourwhich youthought toobright foryourownwallsbut mightworkinamore social area,there arepractical elementswhich need to be considered.Takeastepbackand ask yourself somequestions.
What is the space for? Is it just ahallway with individualmail boxes, alift
lobby,ora24-hourmanned security reception area with seating andalifttothe leisure club?
Who uses the space? Single or married professionals, families with young
children, or retired couples?
What needs to change? Do your communal areasneed just afew nips and tucksbyreplacing thewornout carpet, peeling woodchip wallpaperand new furnituretoreplace the1980’sblack and chromeorisacompleteoverhaulrequired, includingflooring,electrics,plumbingetc?
Thelobbyor entrance hall makesan importantfirst impressionyou cannot afford to ignore
Flat Living Winter 2011
for the change? Somesmall conversionsmay have aclauseinthe lease indicating that the ground floor property is solely responsible for themaintenance of theentrancehall. If this is thecase, some carefully worded conversationsneed to take placeinorder
forthingstoprogress.Anofferof financial support fromthe other leaseholders will give everyone achancetoinfluence colour, style and expense. If youliveinahugeblock of apartments
thereare anumberofdifferentparties whocould be involved –the freeholder,the ResidentsManagement Committee (RMC)
15 Who is responsible
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