A communal garden is often a selling feature for a block of flats, but can also be the cause of disagreement if what to expect isn’t clear. The best way to minimise this conflict is, of course, knowing the lease and who is responsible for keeping up with the rules and upkeep.
The Lease (and any house rules)
The lease usually sets out:
If the garden is communal or belongs solely to particular flats
If there are no BBQs, Ball Games, No Pets, Quiet Hours
What planters, furniture or sheds are the residents allowed to place?
Those conditions should be in line with the lease as well, so if there’s a residents’ handbook or noticeboard rules they need to match, and everyone needs to access them.
Who is responsible for maintenance?
The service charge for most blocks also includes maintenance of the communal garden. So that the freeholder or residents no longer have to deal with mowing, edge cutting, weeding and litter picking cleans.
Typically, individual residents are responsible for:
Tidying up the area when they’re using it
Disposing of rubbish properly
No disturbance to planting or communal furniture.
Common causes of disputes
The majority of complaints are about noise and pets, children’s play, smoking on site and residents claiming parts of the garden with furniture or planters.
Simple ways to prevent problems
You must have written lease/rental rules that you give to new tenants
Signpost bins, smoking areas and make quiet times clear (if possible).
Regular maintenance is a must, as weeds left growing are an invitation for complaints. For Estate Management Services, contact https://jemaintenance.co.uk/services/
Residents should feel confident to be able to report issues early rather than waiting until they become a bigger problem.
Shared gardens should remain pleasurable, rather than a source of stress, when everyone knows what is allowed and who to call.
