Children living in townhouse complexes are generally viewed as safe from some of the dreadful crimes we have witnessed in this country but it’s always important to monitor them so they don’t disturb other people’s peace.
From our experience of managing a substantial number of sectional-title complexes at Platinum Global, you could have serious problems with neighbours if you don’t watch your children and tell them what they can and cannot do when they play outside.
Generally, each unit in a complex is somebody’s home.
Some are occupied by young people with families and others by retired owners.
They all need to live together in peace.
One problem that often raises its head in complexes is children.
However, where parents look after their children properly this seldom causes problems.
But if children are allowed to run riot, then there will be conflict.
Children will be children – they don’t always present problems unless they are not regularly monitored.
Where it does become a problem is where parents allow children to do what they want when they want.
Children in complexes with individual gardens are encouraged or allowed to run free in the common areas.
They congregate in large groups and shout and perform like children do.
But when children from different homes congregate in the same areas in front of units owned by those without children, it can cause problems.
The noise can be an irritant to these owners especially when the kids play soccer and hit the ball against cars, garage doors or into gardens.
A real danger is that the smaller children could well get knocked over in the driveway.
I don’t believe it is a fair criticism of these parents that drivers should be more careful.
Children should not play in driveways.
On the opposite side, owners should be tolerant of their neighbours and a certain amount of noise.
But it is a real irritant when children make noise all day and every day.
What amazes me is that many of these parents take the attitude of “it’s not my kid” but get upset if the person being annoyed takes a video to prove that it is.
Perhaps these people have bought the wrong type of property and should rather have bought a house and not a complex unit.
It’s important to consider this before buying a property that is meant to be a home for your family.
- Mike Spencer is the founder and owner of Platinum Global. He is also a professional associated property valuer and consultant with work across the country as well as Eastern Europe and Australia.