House dilemma (with diagram)

I'm a bit late as the deadline has just passed, but I would have asked what the right to access was. Is it just for bins or is it for any when the neighbour would like and that would determine my decision. I think if I was on my own with no children or dogs then I would take it with a mind to moving on of it didn't work out, but at least I was on the ladder as it were.
If you did take it, you could put in one way film so you can see out but they can't see in, well during the day time. I believe at night you can still see in.

I used to live in a street like this, I was on the end with the access gate for my neighbour and to be honest, she never used it. Got new neighbours at one point and the took out the fence/gate between and put up just a fence. You'd probably find they were just as weirded out by it as you and only use it for emergencies

I know someone who lived like that - they left a path but put a divider up to separate the bottom of the garden

But they were always having terrace bbqs and parties. Lovely communal spirit

Just trust your gut. Whatever you’re feeling in the pit of your stomach, trust it.

This. Our right of way states access only, so we are only supposed to use it for putting out the bins or coming in the back door if the dogs are filthy. If anyone started to use it to loiter about, words would be had. And most people don't, they've got their own gardens to sit in.

I'd say take the house, OP. Most other things can be worked around, and as a PP says, if you DO have problems then an HA can sort them out. Our houses are owned and if one person starts to be difficult then it could be a nightmare but luckily we all get on (and I use the right of access to go next door for a coffee).

Running out of time, but quickly -

Imagine you've taken it.

Do you feel positive and optimistic, eager to move in?

Or do you have a horrible sinking feeling, feel trapped, in the wrong place?

I'd want to know if it is clear to tenants that this access is only for bins etc, not daily popping in and out and if so, are they hot on policing that.

If so it may well be fine (obviously does hamper your naked cooking/kitchen boogie-ing) but if they do fuck all whilst your neighbour trundles through 97 times a day, stopping for a picnic or a rave each time... no.

Does also depend on how desperate you are for HA housing!

so whoever lived next door would go past your kitchen to put the bins out?
including green waste which might be a large amount.
my kitchen is on the main road so people walk by all the time.

if you like the house and the area i would say go for it

Take it. You don't know how long you'll be on the waiting list otherwise.

I wouldn’t do it. As others have said some people use their back door more than others and you’ve already seen the current tenants using it for general access (assuming there wasn’t an obvious reason he was walking through) so it must be an easier door for them to use.

And agree with others that you’ve got no control over who moves in next and how considerate they are. My otherwise lovely elderly neighbour who causes me no problems at all is extremely chatty and has no ability to tell when I’m done with a conversation. Absolutely no way I’d want her strolling through my garden, it’d be a half hour chat each time. So it isn’t a case of ‘they’d be a nightmare neighbour anyway’.

The only way I’d do it is it was possible to move the gate to the end of the garden and put fencing up to create private access. That’s what I’ve seen previously in terraced housing.

Take it. You can put a fence up where the garden starts to screen off and make it more private. I doubt they'll walk through once you are in there.

I live in a row of 4 terraced house and I need access through my neighbours garden. It's fine, we only use it for bin day really. Our fence and gate is double slatted so we don't see through to their garden and aren't invading their privacy.
My neighbour at other side has access through the other end neighbour though and doesn't like it so she keeps her bins out front and never walks through their garden.
We don't have any choice as our house backs onto other houses

I Lived for 20 years in a mid terrace with a right of way past my back window. The neighbours used it about once every 5 years so it really wasn’t an issue. It was worse though for the people at the start of the right of way as they had 6 houses that used it, but it was really only gardeners and builders that used it. We all kept our bins around the front. So, it wouldn’t be a problem to me and if the rest of the house is fine I’d go for it.

I would take it if you like the property. You may have lovely neighbours who hardly use it. You could wait for something better but then have awful neighbours! It’s always a risk.

Ok. But it could still mean quite a long time waiting for another house. As you've said no young children and no dogs I'd be inclined to take it and then swap at a later date if you're not happy with it.
I'm assuming that's the only problem with it? It's got a new bathroom and kitchen so that's good. Is it in the area you want etc?

I guess you're in a lower band (rather than a/b).
I think you've been offered it because it's been rejected by others higher on the list.
I'd be worried if you rejected it that you won't be offered another for a very long time, and another rejected property at that.

I'd accept and try to do a house swap if you're unhappy later down the line.

This is a good idea. Can you speak to your housing officer check you can do it?

@OneGreyBiscuit are you clear on the impact of turning it down? I can see it's not a great layout but my advice is to ensure that you fully understand (and get in writing) how that will impact your place on the list/ bid process.

I wouldn’t because your garden won’t ever feel like yours.

Everytime they go though you will watch because you’ll always wonder why they are going that way. If you have children you won’t ever be able to let them play alone outside as the neighbours or anyone since you won’t be able to lock your gate can come and go.

Just because most people use it only for bins there is always people who will use it everyday, get a bad neighbour and they will use it just to annoy you.

Could you leave a walkway and put a fence somehow.. So they can access their property but without being in your useable part of the garden? .. I’m not sure, it would cut off a chunk of your garden though but it would mean you could put a fence or hedges for privacy without restricting access? It’s a difficult one as I know social housing is in high demand and if it means secure tenancy and affordable rent for you and your family.. I’m not sure tbh. I’ve shown when I would maybe fence and the dots would be where they could walk round?

Do you have children? I wouldn't be happy with it if I had young children and people were going through the garden, possibly leaving the gate open. It wouldn't be secure enough.
If you don't have children or dogs then it depends on how desperately you need the social housing/how quickly you need to move out of wherever you are/the likelihood of being offered another place soon. Also, I don't know how this works but do you maintain your place in the list if you refuse the property or are you moved down the list again and have to wait even longer?