Items in communal areas

Building safety – our approach to parcels and packages in communal areas

Following advice from the London Fire Brigade and our independent Fire Risk Assessors it is no longer permitted for parcels to be left uncollected in the communal areas of your building.

Parcels and packaging left in communal areas create a fire hazard and a trip risk, and can block essential escape routes.

Guidance from the London Fire Brigade details that “On average, around 600 to 700 fires occur each year in the communal areas of flats and shared living dwellings in London. As many communal areas are used for escape purposes in case of fire, these should be free from combustible materials and obstructions.

To comply with safety requirements and fulfil our duties as your landlord, we must ask all residents to ensure that no parcels are left in the communal areas for any reason.

From April 2026 onwards we are rolling out a process where any parcels found left in a communal area, will be subject to a TORT process (Torts (Interference with Goods) Act), which allows for the removal and disposal of unclaimed items. We will be contacting residents on a scheme by scheme basis to formally notify you when this will commence where you live.

Any parcels found in the communal areas will be stickered with a TORT notice giving 7 days for removal. If after this time any stickered parcels remain in the communal area, they will be removed. There will be no further reminders after this time and once removed, they will be disposed of and cannot be retrieved. Newlon will not accept any liability for the item.

Please support us by:

• Inform all your delivery providers that parcels must not be left anywhere in the communal areas.  Your contract when ordering an item is with the supplier not Newlon and  it is for them to use delivery providers that can meet the requirements of their customers.
• Remove communal areas from any “safe place” settings you may have stored with couriers or delivery apps.
• If you are a leaseholder with tenants, please make sure they are notified about this policy and the consequences of non-compliance.

Please note that where you have access to one of our concierge hubs, they will be unable to assist with this issue, so please do not raise any concerns with them.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What if I cannot be home to receive a delivery?

If you are not available to receive your parcel in person, then we recommend you use an appropriate alternative location (e.g., parcel locker, collection point, or nominated neighbour).

What about medical parcels / medication deliveries are they exempt from this process?

Medical parcels and medication deliveries are not exempt from this policy. For safety and compliance reasons, no items of any kind, including medical deliveries, may be left in communal areas. Residents who require regular or urgent medical deliveries must arrange for these to be sent directly to their home, a trusted neighbour, or an approved alternative location such as a pharmacy, collection point, or locker service.

Will reminders be issued to delivery companies?

Yes. We will display clear signage and communicate with major delivery firms, but residents must also update their own delivery preferences and instructions to ensure compliance.

What happens if a delivery driver ignores the signs and leaves my parcel anyway?

If this occurs, the parcel will still be removed and disposed of after the TORT notice period. Any compensation or replacement claims must be made directly with the courier or retailer. We strongly advise updating delivery instructions to prevent this.

Can deliveries be left outside my front door?

No. Items left outside front doors still count as being in the communal area, and will be treated in the same way. All parcels must be taken inside your property.

Will anyone notify me before disposing of my parcel?

The TORT notice attached to the parcel serves as the official warning. After the notice has expired, the item may be removed at any time without further contact.

Can I request an exemption in special circumstances?

Unfortunately, exemptions cannot be granted. Fire safety regulations require that communal areas remain completely free of personal items at all times.

If you have any questions, please contact the Neighbourhoods Team by emailing parcels@newlon.org.uk.