Updating post from Reddit.

1
Posted by RimkeV 2 weeks ago
Balcony doors - internal or external?

Hi, maybe someone here could help?

Hi, I own a flat and recently the balcony doors have started leaking in rain water.

The management company is saying they're internal doors "based on their understanding" but everywhere I look would class them as external doors, is there anything official on the classification of doors?

I don't want to fall out with them and would like to keep things amicable.

They're also saying that under the terms of the lease because they're internal doors and under demise I would be responsible for the glass, what does that actually mean, they're responsible for the frame?

Attached is the part of the lease they're quoting me and the doors

3
1
Posted by SnooMarzipans2285 2 weeks ago

I think this is one of those things that’s so blindingly obvious that there’s not a solid definition. However, NHBC 7.1 Flat roofs, terraces and balconies defines a balcony as an external area.

https://nhbc-standards.co.uk/7-roofs/7-1-flat-roofs-and-balconies/

Edit to add now I’ve seen the photo - for that to be an internal door they would have to claim that it late within an internal wall. There also may be a definition of a Juliet balcony that you could refer to but often that will just talk about the rail.

The RICS property measurement 2nd edition provides a definition of an external wall.

https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/real-estate-standards/rics-property-measurement-2nd-edition

Reply
2
Posted by Morris_Alanisette 2 weeks ago

If they're internal doors, ask them to fix the leak that's providing water to come through them. I suspect it's going to be easier to fix the doors than stop rain falling from the sky.

Reply