Access problem in flats without entry phone

GraemeDavis

I live in a block of flats (100 exactly) in central London. The block in theory has 24/7 porter, and access for visitors to the building is granted by the porter (residents use a fob system). However there are occasions when the porter is not on duty and there is no way at these times for visitors to access the building. The solution proposed is that visitors should phone the person they are visiting who will come to the front door to let them in.

There has recently been an incident where a care worker was unable to access the building. There are frequent instances where residents need to walk along very long corridors and take the lift to the ground floor to let someone in. This is practical for some, but may have issues for anyone who is disabled. Arguably it means able-bodied people can have visitors but people with disabilities cannot. I don’t think it has yet actually reached this stage, but it’s going to happen one day.

The wiring for an entry phone system and the phones within flats is all in place. Inevitably there are costs for the door console and wiring, but it is not a huge cost to get an entry phone system installed. There is a view from some leaseholders that an entryphone system would make the building less secure, allow access for takeaway meal deliveries, and have a cost - there is opposition. And in the mean time our very elderly resident who has care workers has the problem of her care worker unable to get in.

What arguments are there from a disability perspective? It seems to me that there are real problems: not making reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, not providing access for care workers (there is no possibility of a box for an external key to the block), perhaps hindering access for paramedics or other emergency services. How could I phrase a request for an entry phone system? I need language couched in the requirements of an Act or some official policy.

Thanks

Jimm_Scope

Hey @GraemeDavis, welcome to the community! I am not 100% sure on an answer to your question, I'm certainly not a lawyer. So I can't say if the Equality Act or Care Act applies at all.

What I would maybe try is contacting your Local Authority to see if an assessment can be made to make living in the flats easier for disabled people. Are the flats run privately or by the local authority? If the flats are private the local authority may also have the expertise to begin raising the issue.

That is where I would start at least! Perhaps some other members will have other ideas or legal knowledge/experience on this subject.

GraemeDavis

Thanks Jim

It’s a private block with a mix of owner occupiers and renters.

Cantilip

 "(there is no possibility of a box for an external key to the block), perhaps hindering access for paramedics or other emergency services."

Why isn't it possible to have a keysafe? Vandals?

Piglets12

We have fobs to come in OT asked for a key safe for outside has private rent my intercom is near my flat door if I fall and trade button does not work. I am the only disabled person here. If I fully had full-time user no one can get in.

So OT from social services said call your landlord and order a key fob I did they said you can have keys but not a flb and said they had not got written permission from landlord. Trade button not always working so we do not ever get mail on time!

So the door on outside would need to be broke it's a metal thick door. Then my door a fire door. At start I no I breach my contract but my firedoor was dangous so I switch the gadget to small one and my door opens fully fire bagade was great help so my door opened flush and they added flashing lights to go of with land lords alarms! I'm also deaf.

For me if not well or had a fall going to be a nightmare and my spine not good so in case of a break in my spine I need stretcher out I broke my back in a fall in past due to long term spine issues and I already a full time wheelchair user.

So I no it's discrimination in the discrimination action act because it puts me at risk of delayed treatment

And can do jack