Children in child-free complex - WIBU?

[Iltavilli]

We live in a complex of flats where children are not allowed to live. A neighbour (not sure which) has regular visitors who bring children. One of the children is a toddler and rings our entry system bell as it is the lowest on the pad. They allow him to do this and simply say “sorry it’s a child”, they don’t discourage his behaviour. They also allow the children to play around the meticulously maintained and non-child-friendly landscaped gardens. This is a “naice” area, and we pay a premium to live in a child-free complex. AIBU to complain?

yanbu about the behaviour and the parent letting it go on. However they are guests and therefore not actually banned from visiting. Its not the children's fault its the parents.

Thanks for all the responses - it is hugely appreciated!

We’re in the UK - a northern city - but our magical complex is indeed child-free! As a pp noted, I’ve no problem with children visiting I they aren’t a disturbance. Sadly, these children are. Imagine paying for a child-free hotel but the room next door bring their friends from down the road to knock on your door and use your pool.

There’s been a little damage to the garden, although they set up volleyball nets a couple of weeks ago which were quickly removed. However, the garden is designed to be a calm relaxing space, yet it has children running around until 9pm which we pay not to have.

Are your neighbours elderly or housebound? Seems odd to choose to live in a child free complex and invite children over on a regular basis.
What attraction does child free living have for them?

@Iceweasel why are you assuming that?

A child free complex means children can’t live there, most people have children in their families? Should they not be allowed to visit or sleep over occasionally?

Running around till 9pm and setting up volleyball nets is a pisstake, certainly.

I assume, since you are on MN that your children have grown up?

why do you assume that the OP has children at all? It's not mandatory to be on here, and the site has evolved so much that non-parents are a huge part of it.

What happens if someone lives in the complex and gets pregnant?
I’m super confused by child-free places to live

The next time the child rings your buzzer just shout 'FUUUUUUCK TITS WANK ARSEHOLE' through the intercom.

They'll soon stop.

🤣

OP isn't in the US, unless she's in Senior Housing. It's illegal to discriminate against families with children when it comes to housing. Senior Housing (defined as 55+) is an exception, but they have to meet certain qualifications.

What happens if someone lives in the complex and gets pregnant?

Umm, they move out, I guess?

I’m super confused by child-free places to live

What's "confusing" you? I would have thought it was a pretty straightforward concept. Are you also "confused" by housing complexes for the over-50s and places that don't allow pets?

How can it be illegal to discriminate against a certain section of the community when your selling your house?

Do you think I could get our complex to go 'ignorant-arse free'?

I swear I'm going to lamp whoever keep leaving the main door wide open (ie farts about with the lock so it won't close). 4 times I had to close it today. 4!

Tricky, as they aren’t living there, so not breaking any rules..?

I’d probably mention the buzzer thing and any damage to gardens, but I wouldn’t frame it in a “because they’re children and I pay a premium for no children” way. Assuming children are allowed to visit that is. If they aren’t meant to be there ever, full stop, then that’s different.

SendintheArdwolves if someone owns their home or has a long lease it cannot be legal to evict or force them to sell should their circumstances change and they find themselves with child. I’ve never heard of such housing I’m intrigued.

why do you assume that the OP has children at all? It's not mandatory to be on here, and the site has evolved so much that non-parents are a huge part of it.
OK, I didn't know that. I thought this was a parenting site. So aimed at parents and foster carers, or people who want children. I wouldn't to go on a parenting site myself if I didn't want children or even to have them visiting my neighbours.

I think most child-free complexes in the UK are 'over 50/60's' complexes, my aunt lives in one and there are strict rules about children not being allowed to stay overnight.
The buzzer/volleyball/playing until 9 is annoying but doesn't contravene the no-children rule (assuming there is no restriction on visitors) so you can speak to the offending neighbours but they probably aren't under obligation to comply.

Iceweasel
put your hard hat on, despite the name it's not a parenting site at all any more! It gets heated when non-parents are trying to tell parents how they should parent

You can still discuss your kids of course,

If you've been sold the property on the basis of no kids then visits should be confined to indoors. Write to mgmt company but check your lease first.

Guessing it's a retirement or over 55 place? Hmm, sometimes I think move rural, sometimes I think childfree retirement place but didn't think they really existed in the uk.

Have you looked at the topic list, Iceweasel? People don’t just talk about their children; surely you don’t either?

@toolonglurking - you’re an inspiration! Why didn’t I think of that?! Might wander round in my undies too - it is enough to scare anyone (esp. children) away

There is a complex being built in a town near me , in the South West, that is child-free. I think it is promoted as retirement properties, but is marketed at people more in their 50s than 70s, and definitely for those in the higher income bracket

I can't imagine a place like that would appreciate children running amok in the gardens.

I can't imagine that visiting children aren't allowed, but like all guests they should behave

god there's some miserable feckers around