Do you have flowers on your balcony? 1 mistake and you pay $500. Poles are breaking this regulation massively

The spring fever of setting balconies lasts at the best. Millions of Poles pull out pots to decorate their tiny oases with colorful capes, surfers or petunias. However, fewer realize that 1 innocent - looking flower box placed in the incorrect place can cost a fortune. The rules are ruthless and the mandate is 500 PLN It's a real threat. Worse still, even prison is in utmost danger.

The problem concerns almost all balcony owner in Poland. 1 mistake is adequate to exposure yourself to serious financial and legal consequences. It's about the way the pots are mounted on the railing. Photos from Instagram, full of floral cascades hanging outside, are frequently illegal under Polish law. Controllers from cooperatives and city guards are increasingly looking at our balconies, and ignorance of regulations does not defend against punishment.

The recipe is ruthless. For that, you're facing 500 gold fines.

Key for all lovers of balcony gardens is Article 75 Code of Offence. According to Forsal.pl portal, its wording leaves no illusions: “He who unpretentiously exposes or hangs dense items or throws them is subject to fines of up to PLN 500 or punishes reprimands.” A pot with earth and flowers is undoubtedly treated as a “heavy object”, and its fall from a tallness can origin tragedy.

What does this mean in practice? All pots, boxes and plant containers must be placed exclusively on the interior side of the railing. This means that they cannot hang on handrails or be exposed outside. They must stand firmly on the level of the balcony or be suspended in specified a way that they are entirely in its shape. Any another solution shall be considered a threat.

The stakes emergence with height. In the case of balconies on the advanced floors, the prosecutor may consider that the falling pot posed a direct threat to the wellness or life of passersby. In this case, usage may be found Article 160 Criminal Codewho, for exposing a individual to the hazard of failure of life or severe injury to health, provides for a conviction of up to 3 years imprisonment.

Painful lesson, Mrs. Barbara. “I have been doing this for 20 years”

The communicative of Barbara from the Krakow settlement Czyżyna is simply a informing for thousands of Poles. For 2 decades, the female decorated her balcony on the 4th level with beautiful geraniums in pots suspended on the outside of the railing. "I've been doing this for 20 years, so have the neighbors. Nobody has always said anything," she reported in a conversation with local media. The situation changed dramatically erstwhile 1 of the residents reported the case to the administration.

The effect was immediate and painful: a mandate of PLN 500 and a categorical order to decision all pots inside. Mrs. Barbara was shocked, explaining that she had no thought of the danger, since nothing happened in all these years. Unfortunately, this argument did not convince the admin or the service. This example shows perfectly that a long-standing customized does not supply any protection against legal consequences.

Cooperatives and housing communities are increasingly carrying out preventive inspections, especially before the summertime season. All it takes is 1 call from a neighbour or a regular patrol of the city guards to make a quiet afternoon on the balcony a costly problem. It is worth remembering that building managers have the right to enforce compliance in order to guarantee the safety of all residents.

Not just flowers. Watch out for the grill and the sewage water, too.

Mandate harvests on Polish balconies do not end with pots. Equally severe penalties endanger another popular summertime activities. 1 of them is grilling. The MSWiA Regulation of 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings clearly prohibits activities that may origin a fire, and the usage of open fire on a balcony in a residential block fits perfectly in this definition.

Even if you usage an electrical grill, you're not completely safe. Smoke and smells can be a nuisance to neighbors. As indicated by the portal Kobiet.wp.pl, in specified a situation applies Article 144 civilian Codewhich protects against alleged immissions. If your neighbour thinks you're disturbing his peace, he can call the police or the city police, which could end in a fine of up to PLN 500 for disorderly conduct.

Prosaic Action — watering of flowers, is besides subject to regulations. Article 75 of the Code of Offence already mentioned besides applies to "fluid spilling". If the water from your pots regularly flows to the neighbour's balcony below, destroys the building's elevation or floods the pavement, you can be fined. It is so crucial to usage pot holders and control the amount of water poured.

How to safely arrange a balcony and avoid a ticket? applicable List

To enjoy a beautiful and safe balcony without the hazard of advanced penalties, just follow a fewer simple rules. Precaution and respect for both laws and good neighbourly relations are key. Here is simply a applicable checklist to aid you avoid problems:

• Flower safety: Place all pots and boxes exclusively on the interior side of the railing. usage heavy, unchangeable containers or additional protection against strong wind.
• Water control: Always usage pot holders so that excess water does not flow to the lower floors and elevation.
• BBQ rules: If you have to, choice an electrical grill that does not make smoke and open fire. Avoid grilling on windy days and best inform your neighbors about your plans.
• Check the rules: Read the interior rules of your cooperative or housing community. It may contain additional, more restrictive provisions on, for example, drying of washing, installation of marques or air conditioners.
• Order and safety: Do not store items on the balcony that can be taken by the wind and fall, posing a threat (light furniture, empty containers, tools).

Remember, your balcony is part of the common space of the building. Taking care of safety is not only a legal requirement, but besides an expression of work for the environment and another residents. A minute of attention erstwhile arranging a balcony can save you 500 PLN and many unnecessary nerves.