Is this my responsibility?help please

[ainkipinky]

I live in a upstairs flat
I have a neighbour downstairs
When I moved in I was told the front garden was mine and the back belonged to downstairs.
He never cuts it and it's a mess.
Overgrown with nettles and it's out of control.
He dumps his rubbish everywhere
I moved this rubbish myself because it was making the place look untidy.

Anyway we change housing officers every year
The latest one also said the back in her opinion was his to take care of -but he also uses the front garden and parks his cars on the drive
So I don't even have that.
My flat is tidy and clean-all decorated nicely and I've made no changes to anything or damages

I want to move into a house and have been offered this house (same housing company )
A inspector came out and said before I can move I have to sort the back garden
I told him i was told it was downstairs and to clarify with the housing officer
He said no -you are responsible

It's out of control
I can't do it
It will need a professional gardener
Do I really have to sort this out?
Nowhere in my tenancy agreement does it say I'm responsible for this garden at the back?

If the garden isn't on your tenancy, and you've been told it's not previously, then it sounds like they are wrong.

Is it worth just getting it done so you can move ?

Tell them it's not stated as your responsibility in the Tenancy Agreement so you will not be taking the responsibility!

Does it say the front garden is your responsibility in your tenancy agreement? If it doesn't mention the back?

No it doesn't mention anything about the gardens
My latest housing officer said she thought the back was downstairs as his front door leads on to the back /his windows face the back
Seems like none of them have a clue

Can you get something in writing from your housing officer to say that the back garden is his responsibility?

Can you ask the inspector to clarify where he got that info from ?

I've emailed housing officer and waiting for a response
I mean if it come down to it I will just pay someone to sort it -as I want to move
It's just frustrating
Also makes me laugh they came around saying
Your house must be highly decorated and clean
This was the floor that was down when I moved in
Covered in urine and you can guess what else
...
They've told me I need to paint my skirting boards as they aren't white enough !

My skirting boards which apparently need to be painted .....

Oh I see why you're annoyed.
It makes sense that he's responsible for the back of his backs onto it

Is he more difficult for them to deal with and they think they can bully you into doing it rather than asking him?

@LorraineBainMcFly yes she told me he just doesn't reply
Where I get a card pushed through and I'm ringing up straight away
I've paid the council £25 to remove his bulky waste collection as he wasn't sorting it