sharing a balcony

musictime

Hello there

We recently moved into a new flat and one of our balconies is shared with a neighbour. They have loads of stuff piled up on the balcony and there's very little room for us to put anything out there. We don't have a lot of stuff to put out there tbh, but it's just annoying that they're using our space as their own and think it's okay to pile up a load of rubbish outside our door. Our door won't open properly because there's so much stuff behind it including a table.

What can we do? I know we should go round and speak to the neighbour but I'm nervous to! On the building plan it says that we own half of the balcony. I'm assuming we can't put a little divide up...

Corinne

musictime

I should say aswell - the flat is partly ex-local authority so the council look after part of the building.

Thanks!

motherofstudents

I think you will have to bite the bullet and go round to your neighbours ! No need to be confrontational but just tell them you're having problems opening your door and would they mind moving their stuff away from your half of the balcony. What a silly design, why didn't they just divide it down the middle.

Geenie

Have you bought or rented the place?! Either way, if the area is meant to be yours, get the neighbours stuff moved and put up a partion screen.

This should have been sorted before moving in, and your area cleared and defined before signing anything. You have to assert your rights, but I can't help thinking that your neighbours might be a problem long term if not already keeping to their designated part. Be strong.

Good luck OP.

G_M

If the plan shows half the balcony is yours......then it is yours! Politely ask them to move their stuff to their half. Buy a cheap screen from Homebase or a local car boot sale and place it across the boundary at the midway point to delineate your half.

Are the neighbours owners? Council tenants?