Smoking stubbed out in council properties too
Sheffield Homes is warning tenants that the imminent smoking ban in public places will apply to communal parts of council properties too.
From 1st July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England will become smoke-free. This means that smoking will also not be allowed in the communal parts of flats and maisonette buildings.
It also applies to public areas in sheltered housing schemes, such as communal lounges and corridors, although tenants can smoke in their own flats.
Sheffield Homes is fitting signs in all entrance areas to blocks of residential buildings and sheltered housing schemes over the next few weeks reminding residents and visitors that smoking in communal areas is not permitted by law.
“We are obliged to enforce the ban along with every other organisation across the country,” said Janet Parry, Director of Housing Management at Sheffield Homes. “Tenants will no doubt have heard about the ban but may not necessarily have realised that it will apply to the shared areas of flats and maisonettes. We want to give tenants plenty of notice that this change is about to happen.”
The ban covers virtually all enclosed public places including offices, factories, pubs and bars, but not outdoors or in private homes. It also doesn’t include residential care homes, hospitals, prisons and hotel bedrooms.
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For more information, please contact Sarah Green, Communications Officer, on 0114 273 5165, email sarah.green2@sheffieldhomes.org.uk
Notes to Editors - About Sheffield Homes
· Sheffield Homes was set up by Sheffield City Council in 2004 to manage the day-to day running of council homes and deliver a major programme of Government investment. We now manage approx. 45,000 homes.
· We were the first organisation in the country to achieve the top ‘three star’ rating from the Audit Commission twice, placing our services amongst the best in the sector.
- We are working in partnership with Connaught Partnerships Ltd; Keepmoat plc; Kier Sheffield LLP; Lovell Partnerships Ltd; Henry Boot Construction Ltd; Wates Living Space and Mears Group plc, to bring all homes up to the Government’s ‘Decent Homes’ standard by 2010, under a programme worth approx. £669 million – the largest of its type in the country.
- We aim to work in partnership with Sheffield City Council and customers to provide excellent homes and services, in order to create clean, attractive neighbourhoods for communities in Sheffield.
- We are an ‘Arms Length Management Organisation’, a limited, not for profit company and wholly owned by Sheffield City Council.