advice needed re. parking charges

katharinescott1978

Hi all,

I live in a shared ownership key worker property. The flat has allocated parking, which residents have to pay extra for, in addition to a monthly service charge. The housing association seem to have plucked a figure out of the air (£250 per year) and I think this is excessive. It's supposed to be affordable housing, and a not for profit company. I think the association are making a profit from this. I am trying to argue that the charge should be proportionate to the costs that the association incur, but so far they have failed to evidence their outgoings and just keep stating that they have decided on a figure of £250. Any tips on how to fight this or should we just pay up?

Thanks for your help.

Ivory_Tinkler

It may well depend on where you live. £250 per year to park in London would be good but £250 to park way out in the country would be excessive. Have you got proper marked parking bays and is there CCTV? What action do the housing association take if someone else parks in your spot? All these things would have to be taken into consideration.

CFC

If you don't like the charges, can you decline the allocated parking and not have to pay? At the end of the day they can set whatever price they want, so if you don't like it, don't pay them and park elsewhere.

Bear in mind that even a charity is allowed to make a profit on services that they provide. A not for profit organisation simply means that profits, if made, are reinvested back into providing services rather than divvied out to shareholders.