E-bikes left on landings 'will be seized' in safety crackdown

E-bikes and electric scooters left on the landings of Sandwell Council flats will be confiscated by council officials, with tenants ordered to pay for the cost of recovery.

Council officials will also have the power to seize modified or dangerous vehicles from tenants, under tough new measures proposed to address concerns about fire risks posed by the devices.

Electric scooters and e-bikes were blamed for 16 fires last year, according to West Midlands Fire Service.

It is illegal to ride e-scooters on public roads unless they are part of a public hire scheme, but they have become increasingly common in recent years.

E-bikes can be ridden legally providing they have working pedals, their motors are limited to 250 Watts, and their speed is limited to 15.5mph.

Jim Brennan, head of tenancy at the council, said all council tenants who wanted to store such devices at their home would need written permission from the council.

He said only UK-certified, unmodified devices would be allowed inside homes, with written council permission.

Tenants would only be allowed to charge them using manufacturer-approved chargers, in accordance with instructions, and would not be allowed to leave them on charge overnight or when unattended.

Modified or uncertified vehicles would be prohibited, and tenants who breached the rules could face warnings, removal of the vehicle, or further enforcement action.

The rules would also apply to ex-tenants who had bought their properties on a leasehold basis.

“Modified, DIY, or uncertified e-bikes and e-scooters are more likely to overheat, short-circuit, or malfunction,” said Mr Brennan.

“These risks are especially serious in communal areas like corridors, stairwells, or landings, where they could block escape routes in a fire.”

He said under existing tenancy conditions, residents must not keep flammable or dangerous materials in their home or any associated storage space. Lithium-ion batteries, which were used in most e-bikes and scooters, were potentially dangerous, particularly if modified or unbranded, he added.

Mr Brennan said residents must ensure there was adequate space to store the device safely.

“Modified, DIY, or uncertified devices cannot be approved under any circumstances,” he said, adding that the council could refuse permission if storage or charging inside a property presented an unacceptable fire hazard or required significant alterations to the property.

“E-bikes and e-scooters must not be stored in communal areas such as corridors, stairways, or landings,” he said, saying such areas must always be kept clear for fire safety.

“If an e-scooter or e-bike is found in a communal area, the council may remove it and recover the costs from the owner.”

Mr Brennan said council staff carried out regular checks of communal areas to ensure escape routes remained clear.

Members of the council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the measures at a meeting on Wednesday next week.