Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Communal garden issues

21 replies

Lasyger · 11/05/2025 13:45

I don’t know if I am being extra because I don’t like the particular neighbour so if I am tell me.

communal garden shared amongst 6 flats, nobody usually uses it but I have a dog and have been told he is allowed in the communal garden. Two of the residents have made constant false reports about my dog, pooing and me not picking it up, having her off the lead. The garden is secure and locked when she is off the lead, HA have said she is fine off the lead as long as nobody is in there but due to reports from this resident and another they have changed their mind.

fine.

however this resident is having a bbq with five of its family over, I am on the ground floor and the smoke is coming into my window, slightly but I can smell it and have to close my windows.

how would you feel about this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Lasyger · 11/05/2025 13:46

Basically do I complain like her or no?

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 11/05/2025 13:49

No. Unless you want petty neighbour squabbles to continue to escalate.

Its a communal garden so it would be better to foster a sense of community and give and take.

InternetRandoms · 11/05/2025 13:50

I don’t think a dog should be shitting in a communal garden, even if you do religiously pick it up, and I say that as a dog owner. There is always residue.

They are allowed to have a BBQ presumably, as in it’s not against the rules?

No, I don’t think you should complain, it’s not often the weather is good enough for outside cooking & eating. I live in a detached house but can still smell when my neighbours have a BBQ fgs, you’d be petty in the extreme to complain and start a tit for tat situation.

Original poster
Lasyger · 11/05/2025 13:52

InternetRandoms · 11/05/2025 13:50

I don’t think a dog should be shitting in a communal garden, even if you do religiously pick it up, and I say that as a dog owner. There is always residue.

They are allowed to have a BBQ presumably, as in it’s not against the rules?

No, I don’t think you should complain, it’s not often the weather is good enough for outside cooking & eating. I live in a detached house but can still smell when my neighbours have a BBQ fgs, you’d be petty in the extreme to complain and start a tit for tat situation.

There is also foxes, cats, squirrels and everything else that poos in there and doesn’t get picked up, this isn’t about your opinion on wether my dog can go in there because the owner has said it is fine.

please only answer the relevant question.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lasyger · 11/05/2025 13:53

ok remember she complained about me first because I stopped talking to her, she was fine with my dog for over a year until I never spoke to her anymore then she made petty complaints

OP posts:
InternetRandoms · 11/05/2025 13:57

I did. I said you’d be petty.
HTH.

roseymoira · 11/05/2025 13:59

A dog constantly shitting in a communal garden is inconsiderate to others.

A bbq on occasion is fine, presuming it isn’t a daily occurrence.

Moonnstars · 11/05/2025 14:00

Unless BBQs are banned I don't see what you would be complaining about.

DelphiniumBlue · 11/05/2025 14:01

I don't think it's reasonable to have your dog off the lead in a communal garden unless you are watching it like a hawk, and and picking up everything. Even then, I wouldn't want a dog weeing on the grass where people sit and children play.
I suspect it may have been something your neighbour was prepared to overlook when you were on good terms, but not now, hence the complaint. And the neighbour may not have known that the owner ( freeholder?management company? owner of your rented flat/house? HA?) agreed to it.
Your lease/tenancy agreement should make it clear what is allowed and what is not.
If you are bothered by the occasional BBQ, and the visitors with it, then complain, if it is against the terms of the lease. Or take the view that it's a temporary inconvenience and nice to try to get on with the neighbours. If it's every day and very loud, then that's a different situation.

MoominMai · 11/05/2025 14:10

@Lasyger I feel your frustration but I’d say pick your battles. This is not one of them. I think a complaint against an occasional social barbecue is not something that would be upheld since it wouldn’t be viewed as an ‘anti-social’ activity as it were.

You don’t want to get a name for yourself for being petty because if something more serious further down the line comes up you’d want to be considered a credible person and not a serial complainer if that makes sense.

Hankunamatata · 11/05/2025 14:13

Grim you don't let your dog poo in communal garden
Yabu about the bbq

Original poster
Lasyger · 11/05/2025 14:31

MoominMai · 11/05/2025 14:10

@Lasyger I feel your frustration but I’d say pick your battles. This is not one of them. I think a complaint against an occasional social barbecue is not something that would be upheld since it wouldn’t be viewed as an ‘anti-social’ activity as it were.

You don’t want to get a name for yourself for being petty because if something more serious further down the line comes up you’d want to be considered a credible person and not a serial complainer if that makes sense.

Thank you totally right

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 11/05/2025 14:36

A dog shitting in a communal garden is utterly vile.

ForRealCat · 11/05/2025 14:45

I had a communal garden at my last home, and whilst I would take my dog out I wouldn’t let them toilet there and she will only toilet on walks. So I don’t think you should let your dog toilet there, it kills the grass and isn’t very pleasant. But false reports are you are not fine

A bbq in a communal garden is ok. I think you risk undermining your credibility if you complain about this- it is a reasonable activity to do in the garden.

Reliablesource · 11/05/2025 18:06

You are the problem neighbour here. If you had any consideration for your neighbours you should keep your dog out of the communal garden. You’re being really petty wanting to complain about a BBQ.

i don’t believe your neighbours made false reports - you clearly have allowed your dog to toilet in the garden, which is disgusting.

Triptothepark · 11/05/2025 18:12

You have my sympathy. We are in a very similar situation. Our dog never toilets in the communal garden (we walk him first) but it is a safe fully enclosed space for him to run. We also have had false claims about poo. We are a) sure it isn't him and b) certain it is fox poo.

No suggestions really apart from not complaining about their BBQ and making sure your dog does the toilet elsewhere.

PrincessofWells · 11/05/2025 18:15

What does your tenancy agreement say about the use of the communal garden?

olympicsrock · 11/05/2025 18:19

There is no issue with her having a barbecue - perfectly normal activity. If you complain you will look petty and mad.
Did your dog poo in the garden - grim even if you did pick up. I would complain if I was your neighbour if this happened.

OliveWah · 11/05/2025 18:24

Lasyger · 11/05/2025 13:53

ok remember she complained about me first because I stopped talking to her, she was fine with my dog for over a year until I never spoke to her anymore then she made petty complaints

Why did you stop talking to her? If it was before the neighbours had any issues with the dog, it may be helpful context...

RunningJo · 11/05/2025 18:30

No, don’t complain. Perhaps you could ask your landlord to send an email reiterating the rules of the communal garden, including that dogs are allowed on/ off lead.
Some people might not like the fact your dog is allowed to use it as a toilet / exercise area, but unfortunately if you aren’t breaking any rules, not a lot they can do. That’s the problem with a communal garden, everyone has to share and follow rules that they may not like.
If your neighbour is reporting you for things that didn’t happen, I would explain that to your landlord. I would also consider setting your phone up to record yourself outside for a while. If she makes up stuff again, you can send the evidence that you are abiding by the rules. If she sees you videoing then she may stop falsely accusing you.

But I wouldn’t start reporting things she is doing, despite feeling like you want to / are right to. You don’t need to love your neighbours but it helps if everyone gets along.

Whaleandsnail6 · 11/05/2025 18:52

I think having a bbq is quite a normal and reasonable thing to do. I wouldn't complain about that

I dont think having a dog off the lead in a communal is reasonable, and I say that as a dog lover. I'm surprised it was ever allowed.
Not everyone likes dogs and even if they are not in the garden when you let dog off, the dog being there may put them off using the space that they are entitied to do so. Also not everyone wants a dog weeing and pooing in the garden they use...it isn't comparable to wild animals in my opinion

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread