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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bouncy Castle in Communal garden

119 replies

Londonmum20222022 · 10/03/2022 23:35

Hi all,

We live in a mews house with a small garden. We also pay a maintenance charge for use of a communal garden and other amenities each year. The communal garden backs onto row of two story flats in our development.

I am trying to keep costs down for my sons birthday and cant fit a bouncy castle in our garden and therefore was hoping to use the communal one. I have written a polite note to all neighbours to ask if this is ok and if they object. Its for two hours on a Monday morning.

Just looking for feedback thanks!

OP posts:
Bananarama21 · 10/03/2022 23:36

Are the other kids invited that live there?

AHungryCaterpillar · 10/03/2022 23:39

Only your neighbours can answer if they are ok with it? I wouldn’t like it but then I also wouldn’t live in a place with a communal garden and luckily I don’t

Original poster
Londonmum20222022 · 10/03/2022 23:40

There is only around 8 flats and no one has kids. I never spoke to anyone previously I get the feeling its a high volume of renters. Mainly signal people or couples in their 30s

OP posts:
MotherofAutism · 10/03/2022 23:41

In my personal opinion, anyone who objects to some children having one day of fun, is a miserable Scrooge!

Original poster
Londonmum20222022 · 10/03/2022 23:41

That is lucky for you. Unfortunately a large garden was not in our budget

OP posts:
Original poster
Londonmum20222022 · 10/03/2022 23:43

@MotherofAutism Thank you for your feedback. Its a couple of hours out of the whole year and would mean a lot to my son.

OP posts:
Meandmini3 · 10/03/2022 23:44

Is the communal garden actually open space amenity owned by a management company? Or is it in your deeds? Who do you pay the fee to? You probably have to check with them.

NatriumChloride · 10/03/2022 23:45

Oh OP I really hope no one objects, I think you’d have to be a mean old soul to say no to something like this!!
You sound like a wonderful mum and I hope DS has a wonderful party with the bouncy castle in the communal garden.

BeetyAxe · 10/03/2022 23:45

I’m sure it would be fine, hopefully no-one objects. Hope your son has a fab time.

ouch321 · 10/03/2022 23:47

I'd be ok with if it you let me bounce on it after the kids had finished playing.

Half joking...

Original poster
Londonmum20222022 · 10/03/2022 23:49

@meandmini3 its run by a management company so will check, thanks for the heads up. They sent through letters in the past about complaints about a neighbour putting a trampoline up and parking. Luckily we love the trampoline and don't get the blame for it

OP posts:
Meandmini3 · 10/03/2022 23:50

It’s likely the management company own the land rather than it being your communal garden.

Seemssounfair · 10/03/2022 23:50

I would only have written notes after trying to speak to them face to face a couple of times first and then apologise for note but you havent been able to get them in - leave mobile number on note. If you are asking for a favour it is nicer to ask directly.

Motheranddaughtertotwo · 10/03/2022 23:52

I live in a similar size block and it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest. We have a couple of families who use the garden for parties and we are all quite respectful. I hope your DS has a lovely party.

BigYellowTaxiT · 10/03/2022 23:53

The noise of screeching kids is intolerable to me as an autistic person; however if I knew about it in advance I could make arrangements to avoid it because I am not a complete arsehole that wants to be difficult. I do advocate for myself now though. What would irritate me is if the times proposed were not adhered to and made my arrangements null and void.

HeddaGarbled · 10/03/2022 23:55

You’ve done the right thing by asking them first, rather than just going ahead. Hopefully none of them will object. I suppose the main problem will be if any of them are working from home, especially on a Monday morning which can be a busy time.

So, YANBU to ask, Y would BU if you go ahead anyway, if any of them object.

kmblark · 10/03/2022 23:57

wouldn’t like it but then I also wouldn’t live in a place with a communal garden and luckily I don’t

🙄

AHungryCaterpillar · 10/03/2022 23:59

@kmblark

wouldn’t like it but then I also wouldn’t live in a place with a communal garden and luckily I don’t

🙄

Are we only meant to comment if we agree? I don’t see the problem with the op asking but sounds like my idea of hell and I wouldn’t do it personally, I said I wouldn’t like it but then I choose not to live somewhere with a communal garden so I don’t have to share space with other people.
Sobeyondthehills · 11/03/2022 00:01

If its anything like our communal garden, then the management will say no drying area only.

We had something similar, just everyone forgot to tell management as far as I am aware and the kids who weren't invited to the party, got to play with the toys after the party was finished

czycoup · 11/03/2022 00:06

If it's a place I use a lot then it might depend on the mood I'm in on the day ask.

I've lived in places where the garden has snaked round mine (like an L shape) and I've been less pissed off on the times they gave me a heads up so I can go out or be prepared for it. Some times the party just happened (with sweet wrappers and stuff just chucked over my fence) and that's annoyed me cos it was out the blue. I know it's their garden to do as they wish but I felt like I was intruding when I went in my garden to hang washing etc.

The only thing you can do is ask. What will you do if one or more say no?

Original poster
Londonmum20222022 · 11/03/2022 00:09

@allczycoup I defiantly will NOT go ahead if someone objects to it. I was going with the theory in that there is no harming in asking.

It would be brilliant for my LO and really help as I have not got the money for a hall hire as well.

OP posts:
LightSpeeds · 11/03/2022 00:20

I wouldn't object if someone wanted to do that. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy seeing the kiddies having a bounce around 😀

czycoup · 11/03/2022 00:24

@Londonmum20222022 I hope no one does. Given that you were nice enough to ask. Does it get used a lot?

MarieKlepto · 11/03/2022 00:46

A one-off of two hours on a Monday morning with notice? For an autistic child's birthday? Asking if I object? I'd be the biggest knob on the planet to complain about that (and I say that as someone who cannot abide prolonged bouts of shrieking children - which I would hope the party would be!).

MarieKlepto · 11/03/2022 00:55

Sorry, meant to write a longer post but lost it. Basically, you live in a similar set up to us and neighbour did the same as you re notes for her autistic son. No one had a problem. Similar has happened subsequently for other NT children - sport parties, etc. No one gets worked up about it.

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