Communal garden in flats ... WIBU to keep it locked?

[Bennifer]

I'm looking to buy a flat on a new development that has some houses. There is a communal garden that is meant to be for the flats (as they don't have a garden). The gardens have a metal gate across with a code. Having looked at the development I can see that the gates are being left open, and I could see that it becomes a garden for everyone on the development.

WIBU to try and keep the gates closed if I see it open, or would that make me a miserable bugger

I would look at the deeds/documents that you sign when you buy the flat. There might well be covenants there and you will not be allowed to break them.

I would lock them if you are allowed to. Check with your solicitor.

Wouldn't be unreasonable at all for you to keep them locked but you may end up fighting a losing battle if everyone else keeps leaving them open.

YANBU but by the sound onf it, you won't be able to police this....the kids from the flats are possibly leaving it open and I wouldn't be surprised if the kids from the houses already know the code.