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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to get out?

113 replies

Becca19962014 · 04/07/2014 21:47

My upstairs neighbour keeps her buggy, unfolded, in the access corridor. I can't get past it as I am disabled and on sticks and can't twist my body past it. I can't get to the bell and if there was an emergency can't get out.

I've been to the landlord and spoken to neighbour (neighbour was verbally abusive) but they're (both) insisting I'm being 100% unreasonable and obviously have a problem with children.

I can't move the buggy myself as I can't stand without sticks which I must hold on to. I can't climb stairs to ask them to move it and can't twist my body.

I've just come across this part of mumsnet and thought I'd ask you!

I don't understand why it's allowed. She knew about the toddler (who doesn't use the pushchair most of the time) and the steep narrow stairs, and narrow access corridor when she moved in. When her friends come round there are two or three there blocking the corridor.

Can someone explain to me why its considered to be so unreasonable to expect the access corridor (and emergency exit) to be kept clear please? I really don't understand.

OP posts:
Staywithme · 04/07/2014 21:54

That's bloody disgusting! What happens if there is a fire? Wonder what she would do if you arranged to borrow a wheelchair or mobility scooter (I'm not suggesting you use one BTY) and park it in that spot when she goes out? Bet she'd soon be onto the landlord. Sorry I really hope some one can help you.

HeartShapedBox · 04/07/2014 21:54

some people are just selfish.

it suits her, so everyone else should just accept it.

your landlord is also out of order, as apart from your personal difficulty getting in or out, it's a fire hazard.

RandomMess · 04/07/2014 21:56

Not sure where you stand legally, can you stop paying your rent until your landlord resolves the issue. complete and utter fire hazard!

CSIJanner · 04/07/2014 21:58

Call the fire brigade on non-emergency for a fire inspection. That will sort them.

KatraAllandra · 04/07/2014 21:59

Call your local fire station and ask them to send someone out to look at the potential fire risk. If your exit would be blocked in the event of a fire, or their entry would be restricted, they may be able to have a word with the landlord. Hopefully they would then see sense and get your neighbour to move it.

Staywithme · 04/07/2014 21:59

Just thought of something. What if you phone the local fire station and ask them to do a fire check? Surely the landlord needs to follow certain fire safety rules and by not dealing with this issue he is breaking them. Also phone your local disability support group, as he may be breaking laws regarding your right to safe access.

Hassled · 04/07/2014 22:00

I think you should contact Shelter, the housing charity. They should be able to give some advice - link here.

Staywithme · 04/07/2014 22:00

Xpost! Smile

nancy75 · 04/07/2014 22:01

Even without your disability it is a dangerous fire hazard - do you both have the same landlord? If the landlord owns the building I would think they are responsible for the safety of communal areas, I know in public buildings blocking a fire exit is a serious offence, I don't know if this is also the case for communal areas of private dwellings but it should be.

CSIJanner · 04/07/2014 22:01

Actually, if the landlord knows that the fire exit is being blocked plus your disability, then surely not only is he liable, but in case of fires, he's also uninsured?

samsam123 · 04/07/2014 22:02

it is a fire hazard if there was an inspection the landlord would get fined, someone could inform them :) not you of course

Bunbaker · 04/07/2014 22:15

I agree that contacting the local fire officers to get them to do an inspection is a good idea.

Perhaps a "visitor" instigated it rather than you.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 04/07/2014 22:21

Am rather Shock to find you agree with me. I guess having spoken to them and been told I was being unreasonable i expected the same response from you.

So I've spoken to shelter I spoke to them about it before and they said write to landlord explaining about the legal side of things but landlord refused to do anything, when she moved in I was blocked in for over two weeks, literally someone had to break in to help me out. The landlords argument and hers regarding fire was that she would need to put the toddler in the pushchair to leave the building so it would be empty and as the landlord and other tenant can get past (they're not on sticks) I'm being unreasonable.

I contacted the council but I can't get past to let them in, they contacted the landlord, who came early and moved the buggy and I got into trouble for wasting their time. I can of course let them in when I am not trapped but they need to see the obstruction.

There is the other issue of medical treatment, how is an ambulance crew supposed to get in or past? Apparently the answer to that is they get landlord to let them in and then move the buggy, but there's no guarantee the landlord will turn up - the access phone is constantly on answer phone.

It's really upsetting me as I feel trapped and frightened.

I was going to put a letter on the buggy but I'm not exactly feeling rational about this and am upset anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
Becca19962014 · 04/07/2014 22:24

Didn't mean to be rude with the first paragraph by the way! Posted then read. Never a good idea!

The problem with fire brigade etc is how do they get in? I can't let them in and the buggy owner and landlord just move it when they know council or fire brigade are coming. I can't copy my key either (it not possible for some reason or another)

OP posts:
CSIJanner · 04/07/2014 22:25

Can youhotograph it? With time stamps. A weeks worth and send as evidence to the council and fire station.

Appletini · 04/07/2014 22:25

I wonder if you could film and take photos and then email that to the council?

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 04/07/2014 22:25

Sorry me again. I can't get anywhere with the disability argument as she argued having a toddler is a disability Hmm

OP posts:
CSIJanner · 04/07/2014 22:25

*you photograph

Appletini · 04/07/2014 22:25

p.s. this is bloody shocking and YADNBU.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 04/07/2014 22:27

I have got photos and I did show them when it happened before, but they both said they must view the blockage themselves to assess it properly.

I have fresh photos from this evening.

OP posts:
nancy75 · 04/07/2014 22:28

In the case of a fire she would need to put the child in the buggy to get out? that is the most stupid thing I have ever heard.

NatashaBee · 04/07/2014 22:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nancy75 · 04/07/2014 22:29

Having a toddler is not a disability, the woman is a bloody selfish idiot.

Bunbaker · 04/07/2014 22:32

This is pure discrimination. Is there any possibility that you could move?

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 04/07/2014 22:39

I am trying to move but am experiencing serious problems with doing so. Mainly because I am so disabled and in severe financial difficulty (benefit and social services issues). I also cannot have direct debits set up on my account or a chip and pin debit card or a credit card which seems to be how people expect to be paid these days.

Also some landlords have some very wierd ideas, I posted about the flat I saw the other day, the landlord demanded Facebook and Twitter access. No idea why. Though I was very grateful for the MNers who responded to my thread about that as I thought it was just me thinking it was wierd, I don't even have Facebook or Twitter!

OP posts:
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