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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Shared garden

15 replies

BulbTherapy · 11/04/2020 21:22

I live in a block of four flats with a small shared back garden.

Most of the time it's used just for drying washing, however in the current climate I'd like to spend some time out there with my ten year old.

Other neighbours have very young children so I'd want to be considerate of noise as the bedrooms all face onto the back garden but would I be unreasonable/ selfish to buy a couple of lawn games or something for the garden?

MIL wanted to buy a trampoline but I don't think its fair to have something which takes up alot of space and couldn't be put away.

I was thinking of something like outdoor connect four or swingball. Does anyone else have anything like this? Is it ok to use in a shared space?

I don't want to piss anyone off but it would be nice to spend some time outdoors without just walking around the streets near our house.

OP posts:
Elouera · 11/04/2020 21:28

Couldn't you take a toy with you for your child to play with, rather than buying something large that is communally shared? Normally I'd say check with the other family, but in the current climate, I wouldn't want a communal game, unless you are cleaning it between use.

Original poster
BulbTherapy · 11/04/2020 22:03

Eloura the only other children in the block are babies under a year old so it would only be used by my son and I. I also have storage so I could put it away easily when we are not using it.

My concern is that the other families might feel put out or annoyed as its not really the norm for anyone to be in the garden unless hanging washing.

OP posts:
howwillthispanout · 11/04/2020 22:07

Just use the garden as you normally would - how did you use previously?

SpinMill · 11/04/2020 22:08

I'd have thought as long as you're not too noisy and aren't out during unsociable times then it's fine, cant see why anyone would have an issue with it. Are you able to contact the other 3 families to check? Maybe come to an agreement about what time is best for you to be out there?

PumpkinP · 12/04/2020 01:14

Yeh I wouldn’t get a trampoline, most people on MN don’t like people having them in their own private garden so can’t imagine that it would go down well in a communal one and tbh I don’t think it would be allowed. Something small like the swing ball would be ok.

PanicOnTheStreets85 · 12/04/2020 02:08

IMO it would be unreasonable to get things to be left in the shared garden without checking with the other residents.

Also, is it a council-owned property? They often won't let people have trampolines etc in shared gardens because of liability issues.

Also, what does your lease say?

And finally, does anyone know what the rules are re: shared gardens and lockdown? I would have assumed you couldn't use them or would st least have to observe social distancing but I can't seem to find clarification online.

Original poster
BulbTherapy · 12/04/2020 05:07

I literally said in my OP that I wouldn't be getting a trampoline. Its a private let but I think the other flats are owned by the people who live in them, I'm the only renter (I think).

We have a big cupboard on the landing for storage so I would be able to put things away easily and not leave them out.

That's a very good point re: social distancing. Personally if I wanted to go out but another family were using the garden I'd just wait my turn until they were finished but it is a big enough space that we could distance properly too.

OP posts:
MrsExpo · 12/04/2020 07:09

Given the current situation, it would be fair to agree with the other three flats to a share rota for the garden space so everyone gets a chance to go outside. Just ensure you put your stuff away when you go back inside.

ChocolateCakeMix · 12/04/2020 07:20

We've got a shared garden, we've only been using it for around an hour at a time so long as there isn't anyone already out there. As far as toys are concerned, I would think it's absolutely fine if you are going to put them away when you are finished. My little boy has a tricycle, ride on car and a few other bits we store away when he isn't playing with them. One of our neighbors bought a trampoline once but the maintenance company made them remove it, I felt a bit sorry for their kids Sad

midnightstar66 · 12/04/2020 07:25

We have technically shared gardens although everyone has their own section outside our homes as we are main door maisonettes however no permanent fixtures of any sort allowed (not even benches) swing ball would be fine but I'd bring it in each time, it's collapsible so easy to do - that's what we do. I never leave anything out as it would certainly get complaints

Sandybval · 12/04/2020 07:29

Swingball I noisy, a big connect 4 sounds great.

Original poster
BulbTherapy · 12/04/2020 10:41

I've ordered a big connect four, couldn't get swingball anywhere and it might be too noisy anyway.

Tried and failed to get some basic gardening stuff too, we've managed to germinate a few seeds from M+S but can't seem to find small bags of compost or basic pots anywhere to re-pot them.

OP posts:
cherrypiesally · 12/04/2020 11:11

What about a badminton set; decathlon do a travel version that packs away small.

Stinkycatbreath · 12/04/2020 11:32

Swing ball, badminton. I think anything with a ball.

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