Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
SoupDragon · 11/03/2022 08:35

Don't bouncy castles usually come with a generator for the power?

Qwill · 11/03/2022 08:36

Could you do it at a weekend? If it’s a small garden and backs on to flats then I think those who are working from home are going to struggle - Mondays always seem to be prime meeting days. Also definitely go through the management company, someone may have already informed them, and you don’t want to get fined.

gannett · 11/03/2022 08:39

@ThePrincessSleptFor100Years

I’d have just done it, to be honest. Who cares if some arsehole gets the hump about it? Your son will have had a great day and that’s all I’d have cared about.
No, it's important and polite to give people a heads up. I wouldn't object in any way, but I might want to plan to work around the noise and minor disruption (and not plan to use the garden myself during that time) - I wouldn't be impressed if a bouncy castle and screechy kids' party popped up with no warning.

I hope the OP would be OK with the single/childfree people in the block of flats using the communal garden to have friends over for a few drinks in the evening?

LakieLady · 11/03/2022 08:41

I'd be pleased that you asked and wouldn't object, as it would give me the opportunity to go out for that couple of hours and not be disturbed by the noise.

I'd be fucking annoyed if someone just went ahead and did it though. And I'd be livid about a trampoline erected without consultation. Trampolines, ime, always lead to loads of screaming and that awful squeaking noise they invariably seem to make. That's like nails on a blackboard to me.

MoniJitchell · 11/03/2022 08:45

We live in a similar set up and there's no way I'd object. In fact I'd be grateful that you asked before just going ahead, and I'd get your DC a little birthday gift probably.

Hope the little one has a smashing birthday.

Cstring · 11/03/2022 08:46

You’d have to be a right miserable bastard to complain about this. Hope you can go ahead!

BrioNotBiro · 11/03/2022 08:49

Is it really only for two hours though? Including the setting up and taking down? Is there a noisy pump? I must be one of the forementioned miserable bastards, I wouldn't be chuffed.

Bumbers · 11/03/2022 08:51

I'm in a Mews and I know that some of my neighbours have had a bouncy castle in the communal bit. You have asked, which is important. They would be pretty miserable people if they say no!

TrashyPanda · 11/03/2022 08:52

I would appreciate the heads-up and wouldn’t be at all bothered.

Wellshellsbells · 11/03/2022 08:56

I would not ask the management company.they could be worried about insurance/accidents.easier to get forgiveness than permission!

FantasticFebruary · 11/03/2022 08:58

I hope no one objects!!

I wouldn't have 'asked' I'd have just given them notice it was happening so they could make other arrangements if they wanted to.

I'd probably organise it for one if the weekend lunchtimes though as a Monday morning is the time it's likely to impact those WFH more than other times.

I hope it all goes smoothly & DS has a great time!!

FantasticFebruary · 11/03/2022 08:59

@Wellshellsbells

I would not ask the management company.they could be worried about insurance/accidents.easier to get forgiveness than permission!
Yep!! Me either.

'Oops sorry, won't happen again' 💁🏻‍♀️

SpiderinaWingMirror · 11/03/2022 09:02

I agree about begging forgiveness from management company rather than asking permission.
They probably could not condone it.

Useranon1 · 11/03/2022 09:04

I wouldn't be chuffed but I also wouldn't object. Yes it would be annoying trying to work, but so what. It's a couple of hours of mild inconvenience. The world is hard enough without us getting pent up over this stuff!

HelloHeyHiHola · 11/03/2022 09:07

Not sure if you've considered this but DS had a bouncy castle for his birthday last year, and the bouncy castle company wouldn't put it up in a shared garden, it had to be a private space. We ended up using the neighbours front garden (with permission, we're friends, her son was invited). We had wanted to use the back shared garden because it gets most of the sun, but the castle company wouldn't allow it.

DillyDilly · 11/03/2022 09:11

You’ll need permission from the management company as there could be insurance issues.

SamphiretheStickerist · 11/03/2022 09:12

I was just coming on to say what @HelloHeyHiHola said.

Many operators only have licenses, insurance for private property. So add that to your list of things to check if/when you get permission!

AllOfUsAreDead · 11/03/2022 09:12

@AHungryCaterpillar

You saying what you did just makes you arrogant and snobby though, that's why someone rolled their eyes. You wouldn't like it if you lived there, that's all you had to say. You didn't have to add the bit on about how you wouldn't live there, it wasn't necessary. Perhaps that is all op can afford, you going to look down on her for that? Maybe houses cost more where she lives and really, if you lived there, you'd be able to afford nothing at all.

All you did with your comment as I say is make yourself look arrogant, snobby and just stupid.

Op, I hope no one says no but you've done the right thing by asking. It would be likely if you hadn't asked that someone would then complain of course.

Springhassprung86 · 11/03/2022 09:13

Op anyone who objects for two hours on a weekday morning is a miserable, joyless arsehole and I genuinely pity what a sad life they must have.

TheDivineOddity · 11/03/2022 09:13

If I had a note from you to say that it was a two hour one off then I'd be absolutely fine with it and not give it a second thought.
If it just went up without any prior notice I'd think you were a CF and I'd be very concerned that it would be a permanent fixture and a nightmare to get rid of.

fuzzwuss · 11/03/2022 09:16

A few hours is surely not a problem? Very different to someone putting up a trampoline which will potentially be used for hours every day in Summer. I would do it.

MrsBellamy · 11/03/2022 09:31

OP are you in Scotland and therefore the garden is commonly owned then it may be best to ask the factor to contact owners for permission.
This is because if there are a high number of tenants in the block then many will not pass this information onto the landlord, whereas the factor will be able to notify both tenants and landlords.
I don't imagine anyone would object, but then I work in factoring so I do know there are people that would usually every block has a PITA.

Best of luck, I hope your DC has a great time

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 11/03/2022 09:33

I wouldn't object if I was a resident. Your main problem is likely to be the Management Co. I hope you're able to do it.

Brainwave89 · 11/03/2022 09:33

One off for two hours is fine. I would have welcomed the note as good neighbourliness.

kirinm · 11/03/2022 09:35

I wouldn't mind at all! I'm not sure how someone could muster the effort to object.

Swipe left for the next trending thread