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can anyone help me define what a communal garden is?

i live in a upstairs cottage flat which i am in the process of buying from the council. When i first moved into the flat i was told by my local housing office that the garden to the entrance of my property was mine and it was my responsiblity to maintain. Now that i have come to buy my flat the council want me to pay for maintance to the "communal gardens" within the annual service charge. this figure is £821.50. i have disputed this with the council but they aren't reasoning with me and insist that my garden is communal. Can anyone give me advice to clarify what a communal garden is? the lady that lives below me has her garden at the rear of her property and is only accessable via her property. that to me isn't communal! I'd be greatful for any advice.

Public Comments

  1. A communal garden is one that all residents have access to and the right to use.



    If you dont get anywhere with the council go to the Local Govermnet Ombudsman



    www.lgo.org.uk
  2. communal garden is one that is shared with others.
  3. a garden you share with others?
  4. heres full definition.

    "A communal garden (often used in the plural as communal gardens) is a shared garden for use by a number of residents. For example, the centre of many city squares and crescents (e.g., in London) are maintained as communal gardens. Despite the name, such gardens are normally privately by jointly owned, with sharing of maintenance costs. Access may be restricted by locked gates, with keys available for residents, or only unlocked during daytime."
  5. it means it is for the community of that building meaning evenyone who lives there should be paying a fee.
  6. a communal garden is one that is accessible and usable by all who live in the block. So if they are allowed as part of their contractual agreements with the Council to use your garden for flowers, sitting, veg or whatever then it is communal and everyone must pay a maintenance fee. However if everyone has a small garden either in the front or rear of their individual flats you should ask them whether they pay a fee. If they do it might be an informal agreement to stick to your little garden even though you would be entitled to use theirs.
  7. Hi



    No , no , no:



    Firstly check our deeds, and fornt garden and rear garden, (seprate entities ok!)



    Communal gardens , you dont maintain, the council, the poepl who you pay the communal fees to maintain it, so whoever told you that you have to maintain it in the first place was a liar. As far as the fees 821.50 thats normal, unfortunatley, i mean what the hell do they do?



    God in a normal hous ewe odnt spend that much.



    Also: the rear garden is actualy the one that is communal, and not the front one.





    Solution: its in your deeds, i could put all the links here i wanted, but look at your links, the rear garden and front one are separate etc.



    Good luck my dear



    Regards



    Jam
  8. Its either yours or shared (communal), should be in your lease, or in site plan



    Your solicitor should be able to confirm
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