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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want my neighbours in my garden? Please help!

90 replies

ItWasAlIADream · 08/08/2018 14:34

I live in a gf mainsonette, I have my own private garden. When I moved in a noticed a door that lead to my garden from the main building. Tbh at the time I didnt even notice it as I was so excited to finally be moving (council property and waited a long time in a too floor flat) anyway when my sister came to look at the place she spotted the door and said my garden must be shared. I thought that couldnt be right as if it was that would mean literally only my garden was shared out of all the gf mainsonettes (row of 4.)

I called the council who told me that it was a sole use garden but the upstairs flats use to store their wheelie bins in the shed in my garden but that is no longer the case. So I left it at that. fast foward to last year and a woman knocks on my door from the council telling me to clear the sheds in the garden as upstairs are going to start storing their wheelie bins in there as apparently they are a “fire hazard” at the front. (The stuff in the sheds isnt mine and was there when I moved in) I wasnt impressed as that would mean my garden is no longer private and tbh i think it will only be a matter lf time before they start trying to use my garden as if its their own. However for some reason this never happened and they didnt bother to move them out the back. So today when the post man knocked on my door I opened it and over heard of conversation of a woman saying the bins were a hazard and need to be moved. This is a year later! aibu in being annoyed? I really dont want people accessing my garden as was told it was sole use. my kids play out unsupervised which will have to stop with random people being able to access it. Anyone got any ideas what I can do? I have noticed next door has installed their own foor so they have privacy. but I wouldnt even know how to go about that! Any other ideas? Wont let me add a diagram for some reason as I know its difficult to picture this very unusual set up!

OP posts:
IncrediblySturdyPyjamas · 08/08/2018 14:36

Do you own this or rent it?

Shitonthebloodything · 08/08/2018 14:40

What does your tenancy agreement say?

HoleyCoMoley · 08/08/2018 14:41

Confusing. It's a sole use garden, old sheds still there with previous residents crap in them, is that right. Now the council want them emptied so neighbour can put her wheelie bins in there. I'd ask council to show you the contract that states sole use of garden, who is the owner of the shed now and plans of where rubbish should be stored, environmental health may help with this. Where do your wheelie bins go, I'd clear the sheds, put a lock on the door, ask council to install a wheelie bin storage shed for you and neighbour to use. Loads of people have wheelie bins outside.

Original poster
ItWasAlIADream · 08/08/2018 14:44

Its really difficult to explain it as ive never seen a set up like it. But it wont let me add any pictures. Its a council property but I was told the garden is sole use. I dont even think the bins are a fire hazard at all. they are currently outside of the commual doors to the upstairs flats and have been for over 3 years.

OP posts:
BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 08/08/2018 14:45

If you don't own it, I'm afraid the council can decide what they like.
But just because they have access for their bins, it doesn't mean that they will start using the garden for recreation.
And they are the people who live downstairs, not actually randomers

Sitranced · 08/08/2018 14:50

It might be a right of access like terrace housing with gates leading through the next door garden and down a shared alley way to exit out the front.

Aprilshowersinaugust · 08/08/2018 14:53

Could you padlock so no access until bin day /night before only?.

Original poster
ItWasAlIADream · 08/08/2018 14:53

They are random to me as I dont know any of them.

It will mean my children cant play out with people coming in and out. And obviously I would like to keep my privacy, If im sat in my garden I dont want someone just walking in.

OP posts:
CantankerousCamel · 08/08/2018 14:54

Of course your children can play out!

Original poster
ItWasAlIADream · 08/08/2018 14:55

tinypic.com/r/213418i/9

Dont know if this works but as you can see from the picture next door on the ground floor has put a door up as obviously like most people they wanted privacy.

OP posts:
Original poster
ItWasAlIADream · 08/08/2018 14:56

Not without supervision.

OP posts:
Original poster
ItWasAlIADream · 08/08/2018 14:57

Are people seriously telling me that of various neighbours of theirs that they didnt know started accessing their garden they wouldnt mind?!

OP posts:
IncrediblySturdyPyjamas · 08/08/2018 14:58

Could you padlock so no access until bin day /night before only?.

How do they get the stuff in the bin during the week, if they can only access it on bin day? Keep it in the flat?

MissLingoss · 08/08/2018 14:59

I dont even think the bins are a fire hazard at all. they are currently outside of the commual doors to the upstairs flats

If the doors are a fire exit, then the bins are a potential hazard.

IncrediblySturdyPyjamas · 08/08/2018 14:59

It will mean my children cant play out with people coming in and out. And obviously I would like to keep my privacy, If im sat in my garden I dont want someone just walking in.

Can you get a fence put up to block off the bin to door route?

Gogreen · 08/08/2018 15:00

Just put a fence/screening up to cut off the bin section.

LagunaBubbles · 08/08/2018 15:00

Im end house of 4 in a block council houses. My next door neighbour has to access my back garden to put his bins out. Its no big deal.

Original poster
ItWasAlIADream · 08/08/2018 15:00

They are double doors though.

OP posts:
Winterbella · 08/08/2018 15:03

could you fence off the access bit if they insist on it and that would keep your garden secure and private.

DontCallMeCharlotte · 08/08/2018 15:03

Sorry, the diagram isn't really clear.

But from what I can see... could you put a gate in to square off your garden and maintain your garden's privacy? (sort of three squares up from the D of bin shed?)

Where are the bins actually being kept? Outside the bin shed? Is it the bin shed that's full of crap? Sorry for all the questions!

How do the binmen get to the bins?

RatherBeRiding · 08/08/2018 15:03

Instead of phoning the council, I'd write to them asking for written clarification that your garden is sole use. Also clarification about who has rights of use to the garden shed and what, if any, access other residents have to your garden, and if there is any access - for bin storage for example - how is this different to "use".

Phone calls and verbal conversations aren't particularly helpful if there is likely to be a disagreement. You need something in writing from the council.

NorthEndGal · 08/08/2018 15:06

If you dont actually own the garden, I dont think you can stop others accessing it. In that case you will just have to keep an eye on your dc while they are playing.

If you own it, fence it and nail them for tresspass

mydietstartsmonday · 08/08/2018 15:06

Take the shed down!

Footymum81 · 08/08/2018 15:07

Could you put a fence across from the wall to the bin shed with a gate in it to allow the bins to be put out on bin day? That way you keep your privacy/kids security and the bins are stored away.

AndhowcouldIeverrefuse · 08/08/2018 15:08

If the place belongs to the council they should sort out fire hazards in a way that doesn't breach the terms for any of the dwellings. Like a pp says it should be easy enough for them to install an outside shed for the bins. Do contact them in writing OP!