Help & thoughts needed

CorrineCoo

dylanc13 said:

Hey everyone, First Post here. Hope you're all keeping well. I have a little issue that I feel completely blind sighted by.

Back in September/November a couple moved into the downstairs flat in our building. Bare in mind me and my partner are the only ones in a building of 6 that own our flat - the other 3 occupied flats are rented.
My partner and I are the only ones in the building that do the gardening, cleaning of building and general upkeep. All at our own expenses and time.

At the point of wanting to get a pet (3 years ago) we ran it by all the tenants in the building, but there's one 1 tenant now that we spoke to back then that still lives here. So now it would be up to the letting agent or landlord to pass on that there are dogs in the building?

We are owners 2 amazing dogs that the other tenants seem to like and enjoy petting when we see them. There had been no issues until the new neighbours moved in. We occasionally use the back communal garden to let the dogs out. But we always walk them or go on forest walks when we can. We always pick up after them immediately in the garden, dispose their fould daily too and again are the only ones who do anything for the building/garden.

So when the new neighbours moved in, 2 days in and we received a letter from the council and dog warden saying that there had been a complaint about dog foul not being lifted.
This took us by surprise. We definitely always clear up after the dogs and don't understand why they would complain.

So we bumped into the couple 2/3 weeks ago and they pointed out to us that 'do you think the garden is a place for a dog to pee or poo' ... 'I hate when I'm making my morning coffee and can see them doing their business out back' ... I stated that it isn't illegal for a dog to pee anywhere and that their argument is invalid because we ALWAYS clear up any foul. (Including the fox foul which no other tenant clears up)! AT THIS MOMENT - I KID YOU NOT! SHE STATED 'YES I SEE YOU CLEAN UP AFTER THE DOGS' ... so what is their issue? Baffled

Fast forward to today, we recieve an email from the council stating that they have complained again and have now involved our local MP... stating that dog foul is still not being lifted. I'm becoming very impatient and angry at this point. Why continue to complain when there is no issue.

I feel that they don't like dogs and are hoping the more they complain - we will move out. They don't know that we own our flat and probably think we rent. They haven't taken anytime to get to know anyone and are aggravating other tenants too.

Now my question to anyone reading this is, what can I do to stop being wrongfully accused for not lifting dog foul. I feel extremely harassed now. Will the council or environmental health come out to inspect or as its private property - what can we do?

Can I complain to their landlord and say I feel harassed?
Should I get the other tenants in the building to put in writing that they are fine with us using the garden occasionally for the dogs?

Literally confused and upset at this point.

Anyone ever been in this situation? What was the result? 

Since you are the one currently being harassed I would start keeping a vlog diary of your walks showing you picking up said poo. Don't tell the nasty neighbours so that if it goes to court (maybe YOU can take them to court for harassment) they can be caught in a lie. I would also make sure that you have all the other neighbours on-side regarding statements they can make on your behalf.

I would also watch out for people like that, that they don't put something dodgy down for the dogs to eat because from your description they sound completely loony. The quick message? Film everything from now on and escalate YOUR complaint by the books. So perhaps the landlord first then CAB, the council, the MP etc and keep records of everything.

warby68

I'm not sure its all that unreasonable not to want dogs in your shared garden at all, never mind for toilet use. When you say let them out it does sound as if they are off lead too.

Not everyone is comfortable with dogs and the garden is shared so whose rights trump the others? If there is nothing specific in the lease that's a tricky question.

Disclaimer - I love dogs but do see having them where some of the resources are shared as quite a big potential problem.

Personally, I would see my dogs using the garden as an infringement on others if they objected and avoid it. Its a slightly wider issue than just the timing of the poo picking up. Then again, I'd never have a dog let alone 2 in a flat where these problems can arise over and over.

eve824

To be honest, and I say this as an avid dog lover, I wouldn't be happy either. When we've had dogs in the past they've been trained to go in a certain area of the garden so I can walk across the grass barefoot and trust I won't step in anything (even if you pick up after your dog, it leaves traces and of course you can't pick up the wee). You really need to be ensuring they go to the toilet elsewhere, like a local park.

sheramber

The OP hasn't logged on since posting in January.
If he has read any replies they are obviously not the result he wanted..