Is the porch part of the back yard?

[Major Robertson]

I am renting the first floor of a house and in the lease it says tenants don't have access to the back yard. However there is a raised fenced back porch about three or four feet off the ground that is accessible through a sliding door from the kitchen. There are steps leading to the back yard from that porch.

We asked if we could use the porch and were told no because it was in disrepair, however the neighbors dogs run up on the porch when they see me at the window (shared backyard between two houses). If we can find out that the porch is fine for use or if we fix it, are we allowed to use the porch? Or is it considered part of the back yard.

Thanks in advance.