A typo, I meant ADIL.
You wrote, the windows have hinges which would imply they where designed to be opened. Why not get a chippy round to check, the locking / opening mechanism will or should still be in place but hidden by some filler, the carpenter could find it with a magnet. Cut out all the filler, around the lock, sides of windows, fit a handle, ease and ajust the windows. Of course the windows & frames will need painting.
Yep, donât rely on ANIL. They just talk out of their ââ
2 Likes
Doesnât sound fishy. Sounds legally accurate.
As tenant, your first complaint should be to the landlord, next the housing authority or tenant rights organisation. ANIL, as Jane suggests.
Process may be slow.
Iâm not at all sure you should jimmy open the windows. That may contravene the terms of your lease and also possibly interfere with
Regarding safety regulations
A ceiling Velux you cannot reach is not a valid escape route.
1 Like
No way would we jimmy the windows. Husband looked today. There are hinges with a decorative cover. They seem to work with a hex type of wrench.
I say it sounds fishy because if the windows cannot be opened because they look out on someoneâs garden or right into their enormous plate guess bedroom window and straight onto their bed how can the windows be opened if itâs been decided that they must be closed?
The ADIL rep said that windows have to be placed elsewhere in that instance.
I agree based on prior experience in Paris.
We donât even need to do that. Everything is right there with cover plates. Looks as though can be made operational with some kind of hex wrench.
Probably because it is clearly writ in law
âOne cannot have straight views or aspect windows, nor balconies or other similar projections onto the enclosed or unenclosed property of oneâs neighbourâ
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000006430226
This is why I asked if your windows are frosted.
I would suggest that if you manage to open the windows there may invite repercussions from the neighbour involved in the prior dispute.
Thank you so much for all of your support. The platform didnât allow me to make further comments last night and earlier today because it was my first post.
Yes the windows are frosted. So are the downstairs neighborâs windows that open fully.
I attempted to find information on a fire code. The only escape we would have is going up to the roof terrace. I wasnât able to locate anything on residential buildings other than a condominium.
I spoke with someone about the fire angle. He said that if there is a fire you must stay put and the pompiers come to your apt to get you.
Hygiene is another possibility. They close early on Wednesdays. The last person who gave me the incendie information to stay put suggested the lack of air angle in the bedroom.
Even if the windows donât open they could at least put a ventilator in the glass?
Poor and mistaken advice.
The first priority in a house fire is to get out of the building as quickly and safely as possible. This is especially true if your rental apartment does not have fire retardant doors, a sprinkler system nor any other active fire protection.
If ever in doubt, get straight out!
4 Likes
I would say no. Iâm sorry to say I donât think the Landlord is going to fight the neighbours, look for planning permission and then make expensive building changes just to suit you.
As @corona says, the best thing to do is move.
3 Likes
I donât think any Velux could ever be consudered an escape route 
You just end up stranded on the roof.
Super stuff 
But how to convince a Landlord to make that investment?
Grenfell tower was a good case in point, where a mass evac right at the start would have saved a lot of lives over the âwait until rescuedâ instruction that was actaully givenâŠ
2 Likes
I was trying to envision standing here waiting for the fire brigade. Not reassuring given how lax things seem to be here lately.
I wasnât clear which city agency provided that incendie tip. He told me to call hygiene and gave me the number. Lack of air circulation was his idea. The hygiene office is closed on Wednesday afternoons.
I wonder if the mairie could advise where the records of that prior dispute may be viewed? I suspect if it was a court case or some sort of planning decision the records would be public?
2 Likes
What an excellent idea. Will call tomorrow and report back. Thank you