House dilemma (with diagram)

[OneGreyBiscuit]

Need some quick thoughts for this please as I'm on a timer. I went to look at a house through social housing yesterday, it's mine if I want it. There's a new bathroom and kitchen although everywhere else needs tlc. My main issue is that the next door neighbours have access to the back garden from their property, would this put anyone off? Diagram for looking at below. The arrows is where next door can walk through.

Brilliant, and many congrats! I think you've made the right decision, and I hope you're really happy in your new home x

Congratulations! I hope you are happy in your new home

You do realise that the OP isn't buying this property don't you 'Londonrach1'?

I really hope it works out for you OP. Personally I wouldn't have gone for it, but it sounds like you've got alternatives if worse comes to worst. Good luck!

It's social housing. The OP can't buy or sell it. She's been waiting since 2023 to get a house.

Congrats OP. I think you've made the right decision. I always say I'd rather regret doing something than regret not doing something.

Definitely the right decision. In my area it's a choice of 3 and then housing duty ends. I'm picturing a scenario where the choices could get steadily worse.
I live in an area where some terraces are laid out like this, they have erected a fence on their bit of the garden thus enclosing it.

So pleased you have done this. I wish you all the very best of luck and that you enjoy your new home. xx

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love having your own home. Would love an update once you've moved in. My DS has a similar set up and it's never been a problem.

Congratulations on your new home OP 🏡

That's exciting.
well done on your decisions,
no naked washing up is probably for the best

Could you pay to move the access gate to the end of the garden rather than the top near your window? You could then screen off that end with hedges and have privacy at your kitchen. It would make a huge diffference. I'd do it.

Congrats OP. Good luck in your new home.

Good idea.

I hope it works out for you.

I think it will be a great house. I would definitely agree with a previous poster and getting a lock on the gates and making sure that only you and your neighbour have the key/code.
Privacy film on the window and some kind of plant to screen off the rest of the garden.

If car parking is at the front of the house then I would expect that the back gate will only be used on bin day and if they are wheeling bikes or garden equipment in. (Adding the lock actually makes that more likely because it's a bit of a nuisance to have to remember the key or put in a code)
Good luck in your new house.

I’m trying to plough through the thread. Would the neighbours only need to walk past your window on bin days ie to use the gate? Do they otherwise have access to their own back garden from their back door? Are the back gardens separated by a fence? Social housing is like gold dust so I’d probably take it and work out some moderations regarding privacy once I’d got in there. 6ft fence. Bushes. Blind at window. As a poster has said we mostly like to live in our own little bubble but some other people don’t mind that “communal” feeling. I personally can’t stand it so I’d be the one buying fences and bushes and blinds. Yeh go for it. Just keep yourself to yourself and you’ll be fine x

They have a back door to their garden and thank you.

Hope it works out for you Op.

Good luck OP, you’ve made the sensible choice. The known pros outweigh any possible cons and you can deal with any problems if and when they arise. Enjoy your new found housing security🌺

OP - congrats on the new house! I’ve only read your messages, so someone else might have already suggested this….

could you put a gate in the fence at the back of your garden, then build a simple fence along the back and down the side? You could the put a bolt on current gate. You’d lose garden space but would act as a private entrance to their garden. Neighbours would need to walk further to get bins out etc but they might appreciate the privacy too?

It's a bit odd I would talk to the neighbours get an idea of what they are like. I looked at a house with similar access. But the gate was in between the 2 houses so they didn't have to go into our garden. I turned it down as I have autistic children and it was on the bad part of the estate. You could always accept it then do a swap

Are you actually ok?

I'm glad you've taken it, OP. If it doesn't work out you can make a new plan.

Why will the neighbours need to cross your garden? I think I'm being bit thick, but if they have a door into the garden from their house, and a front door to get out into the street, what do they need the other access for?

I’ve had this before and it’s been fine. Privacy film for daytime and a blind at night. Some plant screeening to keep them away from the window. See how it feels before adding locks.

How do you access your future back garden? There’s no back door on your diagram.

Well done, OP, on getting your own front door. Put up café curtains in the windows - blocks off the bottom, and give you privacy during the day, but let light in and you can look out over the top. Plant a hedge to create a pathway that's shielded from the house. Cotoneaster lamarkii grows quickly, is indestructible, provides nice flowers and berries, is evergreen. I hope your move goes well and you enjoy your new home.