Help dealing with dog owner that leaves excrement outside my flats

Help dealing with dog owner that leaves excrement outside my flats

14:08 PM, 3rd February 2015, About 9 years ago 14

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I currently own 2 small flats in a block of 8. The block of flats is at the head of a cul-de-sac of semi detached, detached houses and bungalows. Built approx 30 years ago. Two of my properties are ground floor at the front of the property.

There are communal grounds at the front directly in front of my two flats. It appears one of the tenants has a dog which is fouling the piece of land directly in front of my flat. I have had a tenant move in only last week and he has already made a complaint to the letting agent about this and naturally he is unhappy.

My tenant has recently split from his wife and will want his children staying at the weekend and I assume he is concerned at the health implications as well as the unsightly appearance. The letting agent also commented that when she did viewings this dog was allowed to run unsupervised around the properties.

Please note there is NO management company in place so there is no-one to complain to.

On another note the occupant of the flat with the dog is renting the property and is not the owner. It is also on the ground floor and is directly behind my flat. The information I have is that he has also split from his wife, he doesn’t work and he also has his kids staying over the weekend. This has resulted in him leaving children’s items such as footballs bike carriers and other items such as old paint tubs etc etc which looks very untidy and unsightly.

I was advised to put up ‘official’ looking notices which I had professionally made that gave the appearance that they had been put up by a ‘management company’ advising that for health and safety and fire safety reasons could all the tenants please keep the corridors and alleyways free from personal items and debris. Sadly this has made no difference.

Has anyone got advice how to deal with this issue in a speedy and timely manner as I feel that I could lose a good tenant if not resolved.I am not sure if the council can help as it is on private land.

Thanks

Tonypooh


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Comments

Tony the hairdresser

17:08 PM, 5th February 2015, About 9 years ago

Thanks Brian/David for your comments. Its appreciated. I know who the freeholder is I pay the buildings insurance and ground rent to them. However there has never been a management company in place so long as I have owned the flats which has been around 10 years.
The maintanence and grounds has been looked after by one of the owner occuppiers. So I supposse we have been lucky. I don't think he would have a problem joining together to form a management company but its trying to find the other owners.

David Aneurin

17:35 PM, 5th February 2015, About 9 years ago

I would suggest that you talk to the owner occupier who has been looking after the grounds. He must be collecting money (or should be) from the owners. Agree a strategy and then talk to the freeholder to try and put things on a formal basis. A reminder that he should be sorting out the problems may make him realize that it would be better to set up a company with owner directors who then take on the task.

The trouble is that you have so many options that is difficult to recommend ant single course hence the suggestion of using Lease which is a free service funded by the Government

if you need to find individual owners then
1. Try freeholder
2. try land registry at £3 per title
3. Try tenants and ask them who owns the flat
4. Even check with letting agents have been used and they may be able to help.
5. BT
6. 192
etc
By using the above we were able to contact 44 out of 50 owners

Tony the hairdresser

17:46 PM, 5th February 2015, About 9 years ago

Thank you. I am nervous about approaching the freeholder as I am worried they may try to bully us into accepting there own choice which could be an expensive option. They are a large corporate PLC!

David Aneurin

17:54 PM, 5th February 2015, About 9 years ago

You do have the right to take over the management as an RTM (Right to Manage) and you will need the support of the minimum of 5.
I would still talk to the freeholder who may be pleased that someone is interested as you still have the backstop of the RTM.

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