When collective projects go wrong in rental buildings

In many buildings, tenants want to create collective projects: community gardens, vegetable patches, shared green spaces.
On paper, the idea is wonderful.
In practice, it often relies on one or two motivated tenants, while the others disengage… or let the installations fall into disrepair.

From initial enthusiasm… to complaints

What starts out as an eco-friendly project can quickly become a source of complaints:
• Odours from poorly maintained compost
• Odours, flies, and other pests attracted by rotting vegetables
• Gardens overrun with weeds
• Items abandoned in common areas
• Conflicts between tenants over maintenance or use

And in the end, it's often the landlord who has to step in, clean up, reorganize… or shut the project down.
The intentions are good, but management quickly becomes an operational matter — and therefore the landlord's responsibility.

The landlord's role: set the framework, authorize… or refuse

It's worth remembering that a landlord can allow this type of project, but it is strongly recommended never to authorize it without a proper framework in place.

Here are the recommended measures:
• Establish written rules: maintenance, responsibilities, limits on use
• Identify those responsible: names, commitments, maintenance frequency
• Define the permitted areas: avoid encroachment or improvised installations
• And above all, always plan for the possibility that if the project goes wrong, the landlord can shut it down

When the project becomes a problem

If odours, flies, pests, or illegal dumping increase, the landlord can:
• Demand immediate removal
• Send a formal notice
• Prohibit any future projects
The landlord has an obligation to keep the building clean, safe, and compliant — even when the nuisances stem from a "collective" project.

In conclusion

Collective projects can enhance a building… but only when they are properly framed, monitored, and genuinely collective. Without structure, they quickly become a source of nuisances, conflicts, and costs for the landlord.