To think we should be able to use this facility

[medusawashere]

We've just agreed to rent a flat in a really nice block and I'm looking forward to moving in. While waiting for the letting agent to arrive when viewing, I got chatting to a resident of the block who was coming in at the same time. The resident mentioned that the block has its own pool, gym and sauna.

That's obviously a massive selling point for us! My only question is whether a tenant would be allowed to use the facilities. My case for this is that the landlord will be paying a service charge to maintain the communal areas of the block and gardens, will have accounted for this in the rent charged and, thus, we would be "contributing" to the upkeep by proxy.

I've, of course, asked the letting agent but annoyingly, our contact is out of the office now until Monday/Tuesday.

In general (as Google wasn't much of a help), would a tenant renting a flat in a block where some own and some rent be allowed to use the communal gym? I'd like to prepare myself to be told no, as I don't want to be a bother to the residents or landlord :)

What do you think, mumsnet jury?

Thanks Thetruth02, it's a relatively big development so this may be the case. I've sent an email to the letting agent to ask. I'd be happy to pay a fee to use a gym/pool literally in the same block I live in. It saves me time as well as money and I'm pretty rammed for time with my job.

Definitely ask before you sign the tenancy agreement. I'm not sure I'd be able to enjoy living somewhere - however gorgeous - if I knew there was a pool in the basement that I wasn't allowed to use!

It really depends on how they’ve set it up. The rights may be attached to specific properties or to people who pay individually to use them. Either way renting isn’t going to be relevant.

It's worth checking. In the development that I used to live in there were about 400 apartments and houses, most of which were sold on the open market. Some of them were affordable homes and so didn't go for full market price on the open market. The affordable homes didn't pay the same maintenance fee as the rest of us and therefore didn't have access to the concierge, gym and pool. Which type of flat you were living in determined whether there was access to the pool etc., not whether you were an owner or buyer.

I'm really surprised that this wasn't mentioned to you as it would be a huge advantage. Normally I'd assume all residents had the same rights, but if your estate agent didn't mention it then I'd assume you couldn't use it.

The landlord will have full use, so ask him for his membership card/swipe card.

Thanks! Yes, it wasn't mentioned. This leads me to now believe (based on your replies - thank you!) that it might not be available to everyone. Some of the other lettings listings mentioned it but not the one for this particular flat. It could be that the landlord forgot to mention it as they have never lived in the block, the flat I'm going to be renting has been let out for as long as it has been owned by the current owner (a few years at least).

I wouldnt count on it being avaliable to you - we live in a converted industrial building of 12 apartments, the facilities provided all depend on the size and value of each apartment, ie, the penthouse has 2 parking spaces and a very large storage unit, the 2 beds have one parking space and a smaller storage space, the 2 studio flats have no parking and no storage unit, obviously all reflected in the service charge.

OK, so we got a reply and it turns out that previous people renting the flats in the block had "abused" the facility and so the residents clubbed together and put a blanket ban on any renting tenants using it. You can only use the facility if you own a flat in the block.

Seems unfair and a bit discriminatory but it does make sense if they've had issues in the past. I've accepted this and will not mention it again to anyone.

It does make me wonder if there will be other "things" to watch out for though. I'm a professional in my mid thirties, as is my partner. We don't own as we both come from benefits dependant families and help them out as well as trying to save for a deposit and pay private rent at the same time. I don't want to feel like people are giving me the side eye because I don't own in the block. I intend to live there for a couple of years while we save.

I lived in a nice block about ten years ago and one of the free holders was always knocking on the door to ask us about our activities and lifestyles. He seemed to feel he had a right to knock at any time and it was a contributory factor in my moving out. I felt like a second class citizen in the block, purely because I rented.

I spent my childhood feeling discriminated against and being bullied because I grew up on a rough estate, had parents on benefits, free school meals, holes in shoes, that sort of thing. Education was really important to me as a kid because I wanted to grow up to get a good job and have a career - which I have done.

This has unexpectedly thrown up some stuff in my brain and I'm now wondering if I want to live there. I totally get why the rule is what it is and I must reiterate that I will not dispute this in any way or ever mention it again outside of this forum.

Well, you haven't lost anything. When you decided to rent this place you weren't expecting facilities like that. You would probably be paying more rent if you were looking for places with a pool and gym. If you decide against this place and look for somewhere else you still wouldn't have a pool and gym. So, you know, live there if it suits you and try not to allow your past to affect your enjoyment of the present (hard, I know).

Fair point! On reflection, I feel a lot better about it. We have been packing all morning/afternoon and I'm getting excited once more.

Really appreciate the replies here, thanks everyone!