What to do about this sloped garden?

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

I have viewed my first house today. I was the first to view, and there has been no mention of other viewers. I'm sure they will get more viewings though. The owners were lovely, and we found a personal connection (I was the midwife to one of their grandchildren), she was even on the phone to her next door neighbour whilst we were there telling them all about us and telling us how lovely the neighbour was . So I almost feel like this house was meant to be ours in some silly kind of way .
So, there are some small things we would need to do to make it work for us. But there is one big thing, and it might be a deal breaker. There is land to the side of the house, which isn't incorporated in to the back garden. The owners told me that it was because they couldn't be bothered to level it out. But I'm not sure if we even can. I've attached pictures of the land from street view, and from the current rightmove listing. The owners have recently taken out the bushes and laid turf to the side, as you can see from RM. It is leasehold, and I don't know a lot, but I know there are things like covenants. Is there a way to find out before starting the legal process? Or is asking the owners the only way? I'm going to pop a note through with my number later as the estate agents never answer the phone (I had to go their this morning to sort the flipping viewing). She said we can come for a second viewing any time, which is what I'd like to arrange, and I can ask those kind if questions then. I just wondered if any wise Mnetters had any ideas!

Also you can make a conditional offer so you'd only buy it if you got planning permission or at least had the informal opinion from the council.

I can tell you want your builder will say: nah.

That also doesn’t look to me like your garden, I think it’s communal ground that isn’t designated as such so no obligation to maintain it.

There’s no way you’re going to be able level it up with a massive retaining wall, it wouldn’t be safe for one thing, and if you dig down you’ll expose the foundations of the house.

I've already shown that the land is part of that property. The sellers just paid 3.5k to turf it for one. But also, look at what I've posted from the title deeds. It is the land that belongs to that house.

It can belong to the house and still not be classed as garden. You need to see the original plans for the estate and see what the land is annotated as on them. The siting of the fence suggests that it is not garden but amenity land.
Depending on the age of the property you might be able to see the plans on the council's website.

Original planning application here. Shows they intended the fence to actually be closer to the wall than it is currently. Good news perhaps?

Either terrace it or, retaining wall and level it. It’s not that big an area from the photo so while any earthworks are expensive this would be at the lower end in the scheme of things I would think, still pricey though.

I wouldn't take the garden right to the wall but set any fencing back by a metre then you can plant in front to green up the street facing side of the fence. This strip could be sloping so that you are not having to reduce the levels so much in the new garden area.

I'd also chamfer back the fence line to the neighbours house behind as shown on the original plans. It won't look too imposing then on the corner adjacent the neighbours front garden.

But apart from that I can see what you have designed would work. You might need planning permission though.

@ThisMustBeMyDream

The lease is £75 per year. I'm not too concerned. I'd rather freehold, but sometimes you can't be that picky. Unfortunately.

Really investigate the Lease , it could be the worst financial mistake you ever make if you buy a Leasehold property . There is no need for a house to be Leasehold except the greed of the developer / freeholder . You never really buy the house you buy the length of the lease allowing you to live in the house . Do your research thoroughly with your own solicitor if you go ahead .

Id want to know about the drainage. When the weather is really bad what state is that slope in?

I’m at the top of a hill. The neighbour at the bottom has a garden like yours. 20 years ago when she moved In she had low retaining walls that were just put in by the previous owner. Within six or seven years the walls are cracked and blown. The cost of putting right is £££££££. So be careful