Hanging out washing

[Deleted User]

I'm in the middle of purchasing my first property. In the lease there's a section about not being allowed to hang washing in the garden to dry. This seems very old and out dated, and am wondering if this silly rule is likely to be enforced? 

I'm surely not expected to purchase a tumble dryer when I have a private garden to hang washing out in? 

Apodemus

What age of property is it?  Is there a freehold owner locally who is likely to enforce this?

Jeepers_Creepers

And can you see a washing line or pole outside associated or similar neighbouring properties?

kdotdotdotdot

Be very careful about this - there are horror stories in new-build estates about this being enforced rigorously.  I'd seriously check if I were you to see if this is enforced.  

TELLIT01

There is a newish estate owned by the Duchy of Cornwall which has that, and many other, rules which can be enforced and are.  Do not assume that just because a rule is 'silly' (to you) it cannot, and will not, be enforced.

Jeepers_Creepers

And equally there are countless estates and blocks of flat with such a covenant that no-one adheres to. 

It all comes down to the actual 'hood.

(My mil's last house was on a newish estate and this had a covenant not allowing caravans to be parked visibly outside. It didn't stop a bolshie new neighb from doing just that, even tho' they'd been informed of this covenant before purchase. Bottom line, tho', was that for the many annoyed neighbs to enforce this would have taken legal action and cost. Mil had Legal Protection, but they wouldn't touch such a case either even tho' it was theoretically 'open and shut'.)

frogglet

A lot of newbuilds have covenants to keep the estate looking neat whilst the builders are selling the houses. Once the builders go then not a lot is done. Not sure who owns your lease and whether they will enforce it.

pollypenny

Yea gods!  In this day and age when we are all, well most of us, trying to be energy and environment conscious.  

Nothing would stop me putting washing out. 

RelievedSheff

Our new build estate has a similar covenant. No one seems to take any notice of it though. 

twopenny

It can be really tough finding out even if the area is established.

I know a new one where they weren't allowed to put a shed in the garden and an older estate of bungalows where I tried to find out if I was allowed to plant a hedge at the boundary. I tried numerous time through the council who were responsible and never got an answer.

Your best bet is to find out if others have done it as JeepersCreepers says. Check for any that have long grass around the whirlygig or rusty fixings to show they've been there a while.

Talk to people in neighbouring property but bring the subject up subtly and choose the person. I found this was really helpful when I was looking at houses.

If they have established this then you are probably ok - unless someone new moves to the area and decides to bring it up.

[Deleted User]

My hood is just me and the other flat which has a private garden. I haven't actually moved in yet! They are two flats recently both for sale and neither of us have moved in yet. 
In all honesty I don't think it will be enforced, so will be putting out the washing. 
I'll wait for a warning from the church (who owns the land) before I take it down. 


Edit: Should add that both flats are currently vacant