Renting - Can't access communal garden

Davidc4

I started renting from a housing association recently and when I viewed the property and on key handover day I was told the rear garden was a communal one for all 10 tenants to share. However unless you live on the ground floor you can't access it due to the bolts on the gate. Does anyone else have this issue? The neighbours below are also letting their dog foul on the lawn 🤢🤮

knightstyle

Read your lease to see what it says about access.  Contact the HA and ask them.

saajan_12

Davidc4 said:

I started renting from a housing association recently and when I viewed the property and on key handover day I was told the rear garden was a communal one for all 10 tenants to share. However unless you live on the ground floor you can't access it due to the bolts on the gate. Does anyone else have this issue? The neighbours below are also letting their dog foul on the lawn 🤢🤮

What does the LA / LL say about this when you asked?
If its the LA/LL saying you can't have access, then its one argument about not providing the accommodation advertised / agreed in the contract. 

If its the neighbour physically preventing, then its another argument about enforcing the accommodation your LL is willing to give you. 

Norman_Castle

Speak to the HA. Its likely the dog owners have bolted the gate. Also speak to them about the dog fouling, this should be cleared up immediately.

Davidc4

It's a new build, the bolts were put on by the housing association (they own the construction company that built the houses) it was advertised as having access to the communal space. It's where we are also advised to keep our bins 😂🤣. I'm speaking to them this week about a separate thing so wanted some advice on where I stand before I do raise it. 

Norman_Castle

Its good there's a lock on it but it should be able to be opened from both sides by all residents. There is no reason for you not to have access to a communal space. Do you pay to maintain this area?