Our aim is to improve the quality of life for our residents. We want to continue to make our estates cleaner, greener and a safer place to live.
Our estates have dedicated caretakers who deal with a wide range of issues. They work with a variety of experts including:
- the refuse department
- enviro-crime officers
- housing officers.
If you notice an issue in communal areas that is unresolved for more than a week you can report it to your caretaker.
There are some common neighbourhood issues which have their own forms for reporting. Reporting an issue on these forms can mean that your issue(s) could be resolved much quicker.
Please check if your issue is shown below before reporting a communal issue to a caretaker.
Report common neighbourhood issues
To find out more information and report an issue, select a neighbourhood issue below:
Report communal area issues
If the issue you want to report is not listed above you can report it to a caretaker. You will need:
- your contact details
- information about the issue you wish to report
- photos of the issue (optional)
Tree maintenance in communal parts of Housing blocks and estates
For communal and garden
A tree survey has been carried out to highlight a three-year tree pruning programme. As part of the programme, we have created the Year 1 tree maintenance plan.
You can request our tree service in the following circumstances:
- cut back any trees touching buildings
- tree trimming if causing structural damage or it’s a health and safety hazard
- if the tree is diseased
To report trees in housing communal areas, email: housing.estateservices@harrow.gov.uk
You are responsible for maintaining trees in your garden.
How we deal with communal issues
To see how we deal with communal issues you can select an issue type below.
After reporting an issue online our Estates team will contact you within five working days. They will let you know what action will be taken to resolve the problem.
- Parking areas - including garages, paths, courtyards, play areas and drying areas
- Rubbish chutes and communal bins
- Windows
- Entrances - including stairs, hallways, meter rooms and storage rooms
Parking areas - including garages, paths, courtyards, play areas and drying areas
We aim to keep these areas clear but fallen leaves in the winter and parked cars can make it difficult.
Reporting a parking area issue
Please report the following issues if they have remained this way for one week or more:
- Large amount of litter
- Large amount of leaves
- Ice that requires gritting
- Dangerous conditions such as broken glass, sharp objects or oil spillages
- Hazardous waste such as asbestos
- Evidence of drug use.
Rubbish chutes and communal bins
These areas are checked and cleared once a week by the caretakers and waste services teams.
Rubbish chute lids should always be closed for fire safety.
If you have put an incorrect item in one of the bins, it will be considered contaminated and may not be collected. To stop this happening please look at the guide for what goes in which bin.
If a bin has not been collected you can report it as a missed bin.
Reporting a waste issue
Please report the following issues if they have remained this way for one week or more:
- Access to chute is blocked by rubbish
- Chute is blocked with rubbish
- Rotting food or maggots in the chute.
- Spillages
- Dangerous conditions such as broken glass, sharp objects or oil spillages
- Hazardous waste such as asbestos
- Bin is damaged
- Bin area requires cleaning/disinfecting
- High build up of litter that has been unattended for over 1 week
- High build up of moss
- Evidence of drug use
Windows
Our contractors provide window cleaning to all communal windows on our estates. Windows are cleaned inside and outside on a quarterly basis (every three months).
Window cleaning is monitored by the Estate Services team.
Reporting a window issue
Please report any of the issues listed below if they have remained this way for over three months:
- Windows not cleaned inside and outside
- Dirty sills and frames
- Cobwebs on windows/frame.
Entrances - including stairs, hallways, meter rooms and storage rooms
These areas are cleaned, washed and wiped down twice a year. This includes landings, lobbies, banisters and handrails.
Meter rooms and storage rooms should not be opened. Residents must not enter them without prior agreement.
Most internal communal lights are checked and replaced by caretakers weekly. Caretakers also adjust times on the communal clocks and check external lights.
Internal sweeps happen as and when they are required. Changes in the weather can have an effect on the condition of the area. Caretakers will also check buttons on main doors and report any defects.
Reporting an issue in access areas
You can report any of the issues listed below:
- Trades entrance button not working
- Excessive dirt and debris that has gathered or bad smells
- Dusty or dirty skirting boards/handrails
- Build up of old cobwebs
- Trip hazards
- Unsecure electric cupboard doors
- Lights not working
- Items blocking access such as bikes, buggies, mobility scooters
- Fire hazard
- Dangerous conditions such as broken glass, sharp objects, oil spillages
- Hazardous waste such as asbestos
- Evidence of drug use
- Meter or storage room door is not secured
- Light shade is in poor condition or is dirty
- Broken light covers
- Bulbs not working
- Hazardous broken bulb
- Timers not working.