Back to school: the children return to the hallway

September brings children back to the common areas in the afternoons, and with them the old standoff: those who think a courtyard is for playing and those who think it is for walking through.

Before banning, look at what you have

Plenty of communities settle this with a "no playing in the courtyard" sign and that is that. It works poorly: it gets ignored, it sours the atmosphere, and it tells families they are surplus to requirements in their own building.

What tends to work better is agreeing where yes and when yes. An inner courtyard with agreed hours — until eight, say — causes far less friction than an outright ban, and it is respected more because something is given in return.

What is worth ruling out

• Garage ramps and vehicle routes: no room for negotiation here. It is a safety matter, not a neighbourly one, and it is worth explaining it that way.
• Automatic doors and the lift: playing with them is not mischief, it is an expensive breakdown and a risk.
• Noise during quiet hours, on the same basis applied to adults.

The uncomfortable part: liability

If a child is hurt in a common area, the community can be drawn in if the element was in poor condition. That is why September is a good moment to check railings, grilles with wide gaps, loose inspection covers or damaged furniture. Supervising each child is their family's job, but maintaining the building is the community's.

The detail that saves arguments

Agreements on this are best taken at the meeting, with the families present and the conversation had. An agreement everyone made gets respected; a sign somebody put up one afternoon does not. And it goes in the minutes, which is what stops the whole discussion being relived every September.