When I got home from work, I took my dog out into the communal garden as usual (off-lead, but it's fully fenced in) of the block where we live. A grumpy neighbour had a right go at me, telling me that I wasn't allowed to have my dog there and that I'd better not do it again.
Given that we own our flat in the building and the garden is a communal area that we have to walk through to get to our entrance—and obviously, I always pick up after him if he does his business—is it actually legal for them to ban me from taking my dog into this garden?
Also, can they legally stop me from having a pet in the building altogether?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Translated from French
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It’s true that these poor things have fewer and fewer rights; far too many places are off-limits to them now. I’ve been going away on holiday for 20 years, and every year I notice things are getting worse. You can't even walk on certain footpaths anymore, despite the fact I’ve always picked up after them. If it carries on like this, since I’ve got a big garden at home, I won’t bother going away anymore. Every time we’re out, we’re on edge, just waiting for someone to make a snide remark to let us know our pet isn’t welcome. What is the world coming to?
Even if I’m a bit late to the party with this reply, as I’ve only just spotted the post, hopefully it’ll help someone else. It feels like everything’s geared towards humans in this tough life, so we really should be defending our right to animal companionship just as much as the right to housing, for instance. At the end of the day, you’ll always find someone with something to moan about, no matter what you do! You’ve just got to live your life, show a bit of respect—full stop—and stop worrying about what others think. Lys blanc
A garden in a housing complex is classed as a communal area, but no one has the private use of it.
You can walk your dog around the grounds, but he shouldn't do his business there. If he does, you've got to pick up after him... but all it takes is for him to **** his leg once and you'll have the whole anti-dog brigade down your neck.
I forgot to mention: they can't actually stop you from having a pet even if there are restrictions in the building rules or your lease. Those sorts of clauses are often unenforceable, like saying small dogs have to be carried in a bag and things like that. It’s private property; they can’t force you to keep them on a lead unless they actually hurt someone or cause damage. Lys blanc
In my case, dogs are banned from the communal areas of the block, and I had to fight my corner years ago so my cats—who were supposedly bothering some old cow in the courtyard—could sunbathe. Honestly, you can’t account for human stupidity sometimes, but that’s just how it is. I was lucky enough to have an understanding landlord; I’m on the ground floor and two of my cats stay in the courtyard. I told him they were there to hunt the pigeons (lol) and the field mice (lol). It’s a good job no one’s noticed that my blind cat and Angèle couldn’t care less about the pigeons, which I actually feed on the quiet (lol). Anyway, whether you own the place or not, it’s rare that our four-legged friends are allowed in common areas, even if you always pick up after your dog.
Hi there, you own a share of the garden just as much as your flat and the communal areas, including the landings and so on; it’s all part of your share in the property. You have every right to enjoy the garden just like those with children do, as long as you respect the place (picking up any poo) and don't let your dog bark too much, even when you're at home. You need to stand your ground with the neighbours; my upstairs neighbour wouldn't tolerate my dog barking even during the day. Not all day long, mind you, just a bit! (If it’s the whole day, that's a noise nuisance). He actually made death threats against me and my dog. I reported him to the police and he never got his way! You have to assert yourself!
Yeah, I know there are rules, but as long as you're picking up after your dog, it really should be fine!!!
He’s probably just fed up with people walking their dogs and not cleaning up after them. The neighbours in your block must be complaining, even though it's not your fault...
Life is just so unfair... :/ ♣
