I submitted a portal location as invalid because it was at the center of an apartment building that had clearly marked signs stating it was private property / no trespassing. A portal on private property is a clear violation of the portal rules and the portal can only be attacked from the perimeter of the building. A player must have access to the interior of the building in order to claim said portal.
I even added this picture to the portal to try to support my claim but it was still rejected. I’d like to know why these invalid portals keep getting denied removal. I believe it’s because the players evaluating these claims don’t want to get rid of portals in their area.
This can be confusing for several reasons, but communal items in larger residential communities (apartment buildings, condominiums, even gated community) can be eligible. Think pools, workout centers, playground equipment. These are all accessible by the people that live there and their guests. Not every wayspot needs to be accessible by every Niantic player.
The restriction for private property is actually for Single Family Private Residential Property (SFPRP). Your example does not trigger this restriction.
Niantic only restricts nominations on SFPRP single family private residential property. This can be seen in both the tool tip for Appropriate in the review flow and a separate clarification.
If you have concerns that the management might not want this game location there, I contact the business and let them know it exists and that they can contact Niantic for removal if they find it a nuisance.
Players do not review removal reports. Only Niantic staff review those. As the other comments have said, Niantic will not remove these as they do not break the rules. Communal areas of apartments and other gated or restricted areas are allowed, so long as the people who have access can do so safely. They are not single family private residences. It is not a requirement for everyone to have access to a wayspot.
Ah, I remember this photo, as I got it in review. It was for a decorative fountain at an apartment complex, thus I rejected the photo edit. If I remember, too, the fountain is in a plaza area of the apartment complex, open to all that live and visit the community.
Like others have said, Wayspots can be at apartment complexes and gated communities. While these may be gated and limit entry to those that live there and their guests, they are not single family private property, so they do not meed removal criteria. There are many gated communities with Wayspots at locations accessible to all that live there, such as parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, swimming pools, etc.
Now, for instance, a gated community consisted of single family PRP and someone had a decorative fountain at their house, that would not be eligible.
fwiw, I also think it should say “Single Family Private Residential Property” everywhere “Private Property” or “Private Residential Property” is mentioned. And glad you made it to the forum to learn why the report was rejected.
