Leasehold issue with pets

pjs493

sheramber said:

Perhaps the complaining neighbour has complained to other residents previously. 

They may not speak for the all the other  neighbours. 

To be fair, the complaining neighbour does seem to have a history of kicking up a fuss from the decades worth of meeting minutes I inherited from the previous owner that I’ve briefly flicked through. I sort of got the impression that they liked to kick up a fuss over silly things like the plant pots people have outside their front doors, but as I’ve not ‘crossed the line’ on what seemed to be previous contentious issues, and have been keeping myself to myself so to speak, I assumed I wouldn’t be dragged into what reads like petty issues. 

I’ve also only been here a short time and some of the historic issues appeared, from reading between the lines, neighbourly disagreements that stem from other issues rather than the issue at hand. In other words, from reading some of the historic minutes it appears that this particular neighbour was picking fault with someone because they didn’t like them and blowing up the issue discussed in the meeting to cause problems, rather than the contentious issue actually being the issue. 

That’s why I feel like a comment about my ‘disruptive’ dogs is more of a dig at my young children who are much more noisy than the dogs are. But children can be expected to make noise when they’re playing outside in the middle of the day. Therefore it’s not reasonable to raise an issue with two kids riding their bikes while cognisant of other people, but raising an issue with dogs is an easier target. 

I really do hope that it comes to nothing, I’ve got enough on my plate as a widow with cancer and two young children. We’ve all been through a traumatic experience and I really don’t want to have to put my house on the market because an elderly person doesn’t like a young family living a few doors down. 

youth_leader

I am so sorry this old fart has made you feel bad.    You do not need him or her as an ally, he is an ugly person, just ignore and forget.  I hope you make good friends with some of the school Mums.   My late husband was a great supporter of the cricket club when we moved up here, but he often had to work away.  A local man, who lives and works in the same town, bought up my husband's absences from the Committee meetings and my husband was voted off. My husband was very upset, it was a spiteful and very unfriendly thing to do.   Unfortunately this horrible,  nasty man runs the local Co-op and they are responsible for collecting the deceased locally.  I couldn't stop this, and did not use the Co-op for the funeral service.  

WIAWSNB

sheramber said:

Today I was approached by a neighbour who stated that my ‘neighbours’ were not very happy about my dogs.

Perhaps it is only that one neighbour, since no one else has said anything.

Rather than worrying about it why not contact the member of the executive committee who spoke to you previously and ask if there is a problem?

Absolutely.

One entitled twit. Ignore their comment completely. Smile beatifically as you pass by. Do not engage this person in conversation or discussion, unless it's about the weather. Any attempt to mention your dawg - or anything contentious - just smile, hold up your hand, and walk away. It'll drive him bonkers.

That's it. Do nothing else. Do not contact the Ex Comm. This is a non-issue.

Let the neighbour take the matter forward - if he thinks he can. He almost certainly cannot, and won't.

Skiddaw1

Absolutely the above.

OP, there's always one. I'd be willing to bet that everyone rolls their eyes heavenwards when his name is mentioned. Just try to let it roll over you. Concentrate on making friends with all the nice neighbours.

saajan_12

pjs493 said:

Mark_d said:

You need to formally request permission to have dogs are receive the permission in writing.  This is the condition in the lease.  Other residents may have gained permission but you know that you have not.

The leasehold company need to act fairly and reasonably.  They cannot just do what they like.  And you are also bound by the conditions of the lease as they are written.  It's not up to you to decide the "true meaning of the lease"

I did request permission and it was granted. That was when I was told, by a member of the executive, that the clause was only there in case there were issues with aggressive or very large dogs in some of the smaller units. 

In other words it gives the leasehold company (of which I own a share of) authority to refuse permission to someone who wants to adopt an XL Bully or require a resident to get rid of a dog that bites someone. But the clause wasn’t intended to prevent someone with well trained labradors from having dogs in their house. 

How formal was this - was it in writing? 
I ask because the first time you described it, it sounded more like a conversation than written permission which you can prove. But if it was in writing, then I think you're fine. 

Then there's nothing they can do to FORCE you out. Yes there's a chance they make you feel unwelcome etc, but some of that you just have to ignore and wait for them to get used to it. 

One neighbour saying "all the neighbours think x" doesn't mean they do all think x.. it might just be a lone opinion trying to look stronger. 

pjs493

saajan_12 said:

pjs493 said:

Mark_d said:

You need to formally request permission to have dogs are receive the permission in writing.  This is the condition in the lease.  Other residents may have gained permission but you know that you have not.

The leasehold company need to act fairly and reasonably.  They cannot just do what they like.  And you are also bound by the conditions of the lease as they are written.  It's not up to you to decide the "true meaning of the lease"

I did request permission and it was granted. That was when I was told, by a member of the executive, that the clause was only there in case there were issues with aggressive or very large dogs in some of the smaller units. 

In other words it gives the leasehold company (of which I own a share of) authority to refuse permission to someone who wants to adopt an XL Bully or require a resident to get rid of a dog that bites someone. But the clause wasn’t intended to prevent someone with well trained labradors from having dogs in their house. 

How formal was this - was it in writing? 
I ask because the first time you described it, it sounded more like a conversation than written permission which you can prove. But if it was in writing, then I think you're fine. 

Then there's nothing they can do to FORCE you out. Yes there's a chance they make you feel unwelcome etc, but some of that you just have to ignore and wait for them to get used to it. 

One neighbour saying "all the neighbours think x" doesn't mean they do all think x.. it might just be a lone opinion trying to look stronger. 

It was in an exchange of emails. I used the same process when applying for permission to make some cosmetic changes for emailing the exec and getting a response to say that it was approved. It seems most exchanges are made by email so there is a digital trail. Just less formal than a letter in the post. 

I’m led to believe that most of these things are just a formality because they are required as per the lease. Obviously if someone wanted to paint their house orange, there would be grounds for an objection. But most things are really just a paperwork exercise to comply with the lease. 

pjs493

Skiddaw1 said:

Absolutely the above.

OP, there's always one. I'd be willing to bet that everyone rolls their eyes heavenwards when his name is mentioned. Just try to let it roll over you. Concentrate on making friends with all the nice neighbours.

Quite possibly. I got decades of meeting minutes that I’ve inherited from the previous owner. Once I get a chance to read through those I might get a better understanding of what some historic issues have been. Some neighbours have alluded to disagreements in the past between neighbours but no one (quite rightly) named any names. 

WIAWSNB

Chill, and enjoy your lovely new home and 'hood.

Smile knowingly at this twit.

theartfullodger

Section 12 of the 1950 allotments act gives any resident the right to have rabbits or chickens.

Most people don;t believe me but it's true....see
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/14/31/section/12

WIAWSNB

theartfullodger said:

Section 12 of the 1950 allotments act gives any resident the right to have rabbits or chickens.

Most people don;t believe me but it's true....see
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/14/31/section/12

Pjs, you do know what you now need to do, don't you?
Bok bok bok bok bok baaawk...