Shared access

LS1981

They are deciding the rules unfortunately.

sidneyvic

Section62 said:

LS1981 said:

HampshireH said:

LS1981 said:

I think ultimately can they block the gate to stop us and window cleaners accessing our garden, also they have told delivery people not to leave parcels in our back garden as they are not allowed to use their garden for access. Delivery drivers leave parcels anywhere tbh.

I wouldn't expect delivery drivers to be traipsing through the neighbours garden to deliver parcels. Contractors/services I can understand.

Most delivery men leave parcels on the doorstep or with a neighbour if the person isn't home. 

Yes they can block access but If it's incorrect your HA can enforce their tenancy to allow access and prevent antisocial behaviour

They can block access to stop us from using a shared access gate to the front of the house, seriously!!

Not legally, unless the HA says they can.

If this is likely to be an ongoing problem then it might be worth asking the HA to change the access arrangements - if all the neighbours agree.  For example making the access path across the far end of the gardens so it can be fenced off from each individual garden to make those private.

It was fairly common for terrace-type LA housing to be built with a shared access path immediately behind the house - which in its day would have been used not just for bins, but also access for 'traders'.  Even in council housing it wouldn't have been the norm for the grocer/butcher etc to deliver to the front door.  Because the housing was more communal than people expect today, these paths weren't a problem.

If it has become a problem then the HA can find a solution - if they are willing and able to find the money for it.

Great idea, it is hard enough to get most to carry out standard maintenance, there is no way on this earth, they are going to remodel the gardens and erect  a load of fencing to solve a petty dispute with regards access. They have access for the bins, on the very rare occasion anything else is needed, they will have to either go through the house or just ignore the neighbours and trapse through their garden. Or if they are really cunning they could just ask the neighbour very nicely....
The HA are not going to waste any time or money on this nonsense.

sidneyvic

OP, put yourself in the neighbours shoes. They have been told you have access for bins only and now according to you they have delivery drivers just walking through their garden to get to yours and you telling them it is your right whenever you deem....
What else apart from bins do you absolutely need access for ? And then instead of presuming, why can't you just talk to the neighbours and ask their permission instead of just presuming. I don't think I would like the idea of my neighbour just waltzing through my garden and telling me its their God given right.
Probably too late as it sounds like you have already rubbed them up the wrong way with your entitled attitude. When will people learn a bit of respect goes a long way.

Slinky

sidneyvic said:

OP, put yourself in the neighbours shoes. They have been told you have access for bins only and now according to you they have delivery drivers just walking through their garden to get to yours and you telling them it is your right whenever you deem....
What else apart from bins do you absolutely need access for ? And then instead of presuming, why can't you just talk to the neighbours and ask their permission instead of just presuming. I don't think I would like the idea of my neighbour just waltzing through my garden and telling me its their God given right.
Probably too late as it sounds like you have already rubbed them up the wrong way with your entitled attitude. When will people learn a bit of respect goes a long way.

Maybe the OP has an 'entitled attitude' because he is entitled to go across the garden under a HA given right?

It doesn't sound as though the OP has been unreasonable in asserting their existing rights.

Section62

sidneyvic said:

Great idea,

Thanks.

sidneyvic said:

it is hard enough to get most to carry out standard maintenance, there is no way on this earth, they are going to remodel the gardens and erect  a load of fencing to solve a petty dispute with regards access. They have access for the bins, on the very rare occasion anything else is needed, they will have to either go through the house or just ignore the neighbours and trapse through their garden. Or if they are really cunning they could just ask the neighbour very nicely....
The HA are not going to waste any time or money on this nonsense.

I'm guessing you've never worked for a local authority or housing association?

Budgets are split between capital and revenue.  Revenue budgets fund "standard maintenance", these are usually the ones where the problems are the greatest and money the shortest.

Investing money in making alterations - such as re-arranging shared access arrangements - will typically be capital expenditure, for which annual allocations will be made (and need to be spent), and very often are eligible for additional grant funding.

Resolving problems caused by legacy design issues - such as shared access arrangements - typically "tick boxes" such as demonstrating a commitment to making the housing stock safer by design.

You are entitled to think this is "nonsense".  But thankfully authorities like the last one I worked for regard this type of investment as something they need to do as a good landlord.  Whether the OP's HA think the same is something only the OP can find out.

sidneyvic said:

OP, put yourself in the neighbours shoes. They have been told you have access for bins only and now according to you they have delivery drivers just walking through their garden to get to yours and you telling them it is your right whenever you deem....
What else apart from bins do you absolutely need access for ? And then instead of presuming, why can't you just talk to the neighbours and ask their permission instead of just presuming. I don't think I would like the idea of my neighbour just waltzing through my garden and telling me its their God given right.
Probably too late as it sounds like you have already rubbed them up the wrong way with your entitled attitude. When will people learn a bit of respect goes a long way.

If the OP's tenancy agreement allows them to use the access freely then it is their "God given right" to do so.

They don't need to ask for "permission", and it isn't an "entitled attitude" to want to exercise your rights in this way.

So before you accused the OP of an "entitled attitude" you should have considered what entitles you to adopt such a hostile attitude towards a poster who has come to the forum asking for advice, especially when you don't appear to understand the situation the OP is asking about.