I am the landlord for a ground floor flat of which some of the exterior walls and windows are within the upstairs neighbour’s garden.
My lease states I have a right of “reasonable access” to these areas for maintenance etc. However my neighbour keeps access to their garden locked, and although they agree to give me access should I need it, they are not prepared to let me have a key to access it (and thus my outside walls/windows).
My concern is, that should I need access when they are away, I have none.
That’s true, but a few years back, when I lived in the property, I came home to discover I’d been burgled. The kitchen window was broken and unlockable, it had to be urgently made secure, and the tradesman that made it so required access to the outside, which he had at that time because the area was not locked. In a similar situation now, with my tenant, this may not be the case if the neighbour is away.
I have told her I’d only ever access the area with her prior agreement, except in emergencies, also there is no ladder tall enough at the property to access the area.
in an emergency i could get over that . I guarrantee I am older than you I also have a range of emergency tools ,including a bolt cutter ! Be prepared is the answer . Step ladder ?
Its more the other way around. The neighbour has said no, so what legal precedent can you quote that says you are entitled to a key to someone else’s property.
