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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not want the flat below me to keep a guinea pig run in the front garden?

48 replies

RiceOliver · 27/04/2019 18:38

Bit hard to explain how our flats are, but it's 1 building. Flat on bottom and flat on top, I am the flat on top. There is a gate that is locked with a code before you can get to either of our doors, so the small little garden at the front isn't accessible by outside people but it is ours, if you see what I am saying? She often hangs the washing out there which isn't really a problem, obviously I'm not that ridiculous. However, she has a run on the grass area now, which covers the whole grass bit as it's so tiny. When I come down my steps, I have to squeeze past it to get out. Sometimes I see guinea pigs out in it and I can't see her anywhere?
I've thought about knocking and asking her to not have it out but I don't know if I'm unreasonable here or not? She literally uses the whole space anyway which is fine but I think it's a bit much to now have the run out all the time and to also leave guinea pigs out in it when it isn't actually her own private area.

I'm genuinely willing to listen to all views , thanks.

OP posts:
MrsSpenserGregson · 27/04/2019 18:39

Which flat owns the garden?

Prequelle · 27/04/2019 18:41

If it's supposed to be a communal garden then YANBU and should contact the landlord, let them deal with it.

Original poster
RiceOliver · 27/04/2019 18:41

Neither own it. It's a small area of grass just before my steps and just before her pathway to door. It's both of ours.

OP posts:
Beachbodynowayready · 27/04/2019 18:43

Does she own /rent her flat?

RosaWaiting · 27/04/2019 18:45

so it's a shared area and you have to squeeze past to get out

ask her to move it so it's not in your way.

bridgetreilly · 27/04/2019 18:47

No, OP, the garden will have clear ownership either by one of the flats or as communal space. You need to check your deeds or your rental agreement to find out. It might be that you have right of access but it's owned by her, for instance. Ownership makes a big difference to what it's reasonable for you to do here.

If it is a communal area and she is taking up most of it, then you should speak to her about that. If it's communal and she is only taking up a small part of it, or if it's hers, you need to let it go. If it turns out to be yours, of course you can explain that to her and ask for the pets to be removed.

Thingsdogetbetter · 27/04/2019 18:48

Generally outside space belongs to the ground floor flat. Do you rent or own? Have you checked your contract for ownership of the garden?

Are you planning on using the space for something or just don't like the run? The former is reasonable, the latter seems petty.

TheGrey1houndSpeaks · 27/04/2019 18:48

If it’s a shared area she should absolute not be keeping a guinea pig there!

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 27/04/2019 18:48

She literally uses the whole space anyway which is fine but I think it's a bit much to now have the run out all the time and to also leave guinea pigs out in it when it isn't actually her own private area.

  • Is it actually in your way?
  • Do you use the communal grass for anything that the run is stopping you doing?
  • Is this actually impacting your quality of life in any way?
TheKitchenWitch · 27/04/2019 19:01

Assuming it’s communal and you don’t actually use it/want/need it then maybe just ask her to move the run over a bit so you can get past more easily? What is the objection?

brizzlemint · 27/04/2019 19:08

One flat will own the garden, it's most likely to be hers so check your contract/deeds or whatever and if it's hers then you can only politely ask her to move it over.

SihtricsHorseWitnere · 27/04/2019 19:13

Just the one guinea pig? That's cruel! They are meant to live in colonies.

britnay · 27/04/2019 19:14

You have to squeeze past it? Would it be a hazard if there were a fire?

LuckyLou7 · 27/04/2019 19:17

Do you use the garden yourself for anything? Hanging out washing/sitting in the sun with a book etc
Perhaps she feels as she has the ground floor flat, the outside space is hers. Guinea pigs aren't too much of a trial, are they? We used to have 3, and they loved their outdoor run.

Omzlas · 27/04/2019 19:28

If you rent, if imagine that there's something in your tenancy agreement. If you own, there should be something in your deeds

If the run is in the way, your neighbour needs to move it.

Surfskatefamily · 27/04/2019 19:53

Id have expected ground floor to own the garden...i wouldnt complain unless it actually is on the walkway. If you need to get big things past, like new furniture etc you can always knock and ask her to move them for you

OVAgroundWOMBlingfree · 27/04/2019 20:40

Guinea pigs are absolutely terrifying.

brizzlemint · 27/04/2019 20:43

How on earth are they terrifying?

Bunnybigears · 27/04/2019 20:44

The garden is more often owned/rented by the ground floor. Presumably the run is only on the grass bit not on the path, is there really a lit of squeezing involved? I think this comes under live and let live for me.

OVAgroundWOMBlingfree · 27/04/2019 20:48

How on earth are they terrifying?

Their feet 🤢

OVAgroundWOMBlingfree · 27/04/2019 20:49

If it’s blocking your access you should make it clear that this is unacceptable.

brizzlemint · 27/04/2019 20:49

Their feet?

We have GPs and they put their little feet on my hand, it's so cute. I don't get how that is terrifying.

Beachbodynowayready · 27/04/2019 21:00

Unless she poop scoops you risk tramping gp shit into your flat when the run has been put away....
Yuck.

Fairylea · 27/04/2019 21:02

Guinea pigs are wonderful. I think you are being unreasonable just because I love Guinea pigs.

IncrediblySadToo · 27/04/2019 21:07

I’d be thrilled as long as I could have a cuddle. All the fun and none of the responsibility!

Why shouldn’t they be outside when she’s not there? Only you and her have access to it, what do you think is going to happen?

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