What is a common area?

The common area is an area provided for the use of all the tenants, such as a lawn, courtyard or pool. The etiquette is that you behave politely and with good manners and respect, as you would in public.

In an apartment building, the hallway, elevator and stairs are considered "common" areas.  They belong to everyone who lives in the building.  Most apartment buildings do not allow you to store anything in those areas, such as shoes outside the door to your apartment or a chair or some thing you might like to have there.  Even wreaths and decorative objects are subject to removal when placed there.