Communal gardens - does anyone have this for flat?

sterl1ng

Just curious to know what its like as I've only been looking at priviate garden properties but figure if I open myself to communal might be ok but its more the pets I'm thinking about as really be nice for the cats to have their own space, plus looking on ground flr and bit worried on security side if someone tried to access garden door as communal.

LEJC

To be fair a cat wont take any notice of the fact its a private garden or not...they go where they please.

hazyjo

You'll need to check the lease on any flat you consider as they may not permit you to have cats (or other animals).

Don't just ask the EA! They will usually just say 'Flat X has cats, so not a problem' or words to that effect. You will actually need to check the lease itself (or get your solicitor to).

Security will always be an issue, especially if you want to sleep with a window open! No worse than having a ground floor of a house though if you're talking about security. Don't know why a communal garden would be any more at risk than a private one though - unless you think your neighbours are likely to break in.

Obviously others may have kids, pets, barbecues, friends they socialise with in the garden, washing lines... a communal garden will never be your own. If it's enclosed or used often, you may find they operate a diary system.

Also bear in mind if it's near the front door of a block, you will get people in and out all day/night if there's a number of flats, and probably hear the buzzers if there are any.

Jx

PollyOnAMission

In my experience cats don't really tend to stick to their own space, so I'm sure they wouldn't know the difference!

You, on the other hand, would. Do you value private outside space for yourself?

bouicca21

The flat I'm renting has a communal garden. It's lovely but only the people on the ground floor use it as they have direct access and no one else does. I long ago decided that when I buy, a private garden will be a priority.

fionajbanana

Most flat management companies will allow pets if they already with you when you move in. When they die or run away never to be seen again, you cannot replace them.

partialycloudy

We are in a first floor flat with direct access to our own garden, so to have a private garden doesnt mean you have to be on the ground floor....its for sale at the mo if your interested
seriously though, I think most people i know who have communcal gardens very rarely actually use them. it certainly wouldnt be the same as having your own space.

propertyman

fionajbanana wrote: »

Most flat management companies will allow pets if they already with you when you move in. When they die or run away never to be seen again, you cannot replace them.

Sorry Fi but thats not correct. Anyone contemplating buying a flat must check the lease before hand and
1 where pets are permitted subject to consent, obtain that before exchanging contracts
2 check if the communal gardens are, as they often are, subject to certain restrictions so that washing, games and BBQ's, friends over etc are often not permitted.

sterl1ng

hmmmm, perhaps i'll just stick to private garden

Angelicdevil

hazyjo wrote: »

Y
Don't just ask the EA! They will usually just say 'Flat X has cats, so not a problem' or words to that effect. You will actually need to check the lease itself (or get your solicitor to).

If another flat within the same block has animals that have been given permission, then it can be argued that a "precedence" has been set.

fionajbanana wrote: »

Most flat management companies will allow pets if they already with you when you move in. When they die or run away never to be seen again, you cannot replace them.

As PropertyMan says but also to add, if the management have allowed to have a pet in the first instance and they pass away or get lost/stolen, then again, a precedence has been set. So it's not accurate that "you cannot replace them".

But it is always advisable to get permission - in writing - from the management company before doing anything!

sterl1ng wrote: »

hmmmm, perhaps i'll just stick to private garden

If you want to purchase a property with a communal garden just ask! As in, write a letter to the management company. If you can find out if any other flats within the estate have pets then use that to your advantage!

hazyjo

Angelicdevil wrote: »

If another flat within the same block has animals that have been given permission, then it can be argued that a "precedence" has been set.

If they've been given permission for a cat, it's unlikely someone else would be refused (unless there's a clause saying X number of cats in the block which again is unlikely).

My point really was that people do have cats/other pets and don't check the terms of their lease, and don't check with the freeholder/management company. If some new bod comes along saying so-and-so in Flat X has a cat, they may find not only are they not allowed one, but that Flat X is told to get rid of 'Tiddles'!

Jx