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Window safety in your council home

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Window safety in your council home

If your council home is above the ground floor, windows must be fitted with restrictors. This safety device restricts how far a window can be opened and prevents someone falling from an open window.  

Children and vulnerable people are at higher risk of falling from an open window if they are not watched. Always supervise them when a window is open. 

If you are a tenant or leaseholder, and you do not have window restrictors inside your home, we will fit them.

Do not attempt to fit your own restrictors.  

Fitting or repairing window restrictors in your home 

Tenants in homes above the ground floor must have restrictors fitted to their windows. We also advise leaseholders to have restrictors fitted.  

Tenants and leaseholders should report an emergency repair if a window above the ground floor has a missing or broken restrictor.  

Moving into a council home

We proactively install window restrictors when a property becomes vacant to prepare it for the next tenant. If you move into a council home above the ground floor and windows are not fitted with restrictors, you should report an emergency repair.

Responsibility for non-emergency window repairs 

Tenants and leaseholders are responsible for non-emergency window repairs. If you are a Camden tenant this includes security locks and replacement keys. View your responsibilities on pages 85-86 of your tenants' guide. 

Reporting window issues in communal areas 

If a window restrictor, lock or frame is damaged or not working you can report an emergency communal repair or tell your Neighbourhood Housing Officer.  

How to make sure your windows are safe 

To keep you and your family safe: 

  • keep your window restrictors locked in place and in good working order  
  • only unlock a restrictor if you are cleaning a window and lock it afterward  
  • if you unlock a window restrictor, do not leave it unattended   
  • do not allow children or anyone else to tamper with window restrictors  
  • do not place furniture under a window that young children can climb on 
  • shut open windows before working underneath them 
  • be careful not to trap fingers between the window and the exterior frame when using the windows.
  • avoid having tall objects near the window opening over the ledge

Keeping cool on hot days  

In the morning, before midday, close your windows and blackout curtains or blinds. In the evening, once the outside air has cooled, open your curtains or blinds, and open your windows with the restrictor in place to help keep cool.