Allocated Parking Spaces - can we get another one?

nervousftb_3

Hi,

Bit of a dilemma here and wondering if you knowledgeable people can help us out!

We purchased a house on a new development nearly a year ago, which is a 4 bedroom house but only has one allocated parking space in a communal car park area. We queried this with our solicitor and the builders at the time of purchase, and both stated (not in writing unfortuntely!) that as we had two cars, it would be fine to park one permanently in one of the visitors spaces, as 'loads of people do this' and no-one would mind.

This has been fine so far, lots of other free visitors spaces for other people to use. However, we have a new management company taking over and we are concerned that they are now beginning to crack down on parking, and our 'restrictive covenant' for the estate states clearly that visitors spaces can only be used on a temporary basis.

So my question is: would it be possible for us to apply to have one of the visitors spaces (there are 5 in a car park shared by 5 properties) permanently allocated to us, and has anyone ever done this? And if so, who do we ask - the builders or the management company? I'm also concerned that if we ask, it will highlight the fact that I have been using this space 'illegally' for a year!! All other 4 bedroom properties on the development have a garage AND a parking space, therefore they have two places in which to park, and we are the only house of this size with only one space.

Sorry for the length of the post, thanks in advance for any advice!


ETA: Just noticed I put this in wrong place, was meant to be in House Buying Renting and Selling so if someone could move it for me that would be great!!

getmore4less

I think this may have been part of the planing permission so no chance of getting another space allocated.

Alocated car parking is often restricted to discourage car use.
Visitor spaces will probably also be a planning requirement

What is the actual restriction on the visitor spaces?
Just swap who parks in your alocated space and who parks in the vistor spaces and change visitor space a lot.

Anyone not using their allocated space?

nervousftb_3

Hmm, I thought that might be the case. Lots of people don't use their allocated spaces and park in the visitors spaces instead as it's a tiny bit closer to their front door, and some people don't have cars at all so there are plenty of free spaces at the moment. I assume that unless someone complains that they can't find a free visitors space (which based on the last year is unlikely as there is always at least ine space free and often 2 or 3), then no-one will do anything about it, but if we had another allocated space it wouldn't be an issue.

The management company's main issue seems to be preventing people from parking on the roads so hopefully as long as we are in an actual parking space, visitors or otherwise, they won't make an issue of it.

Stonk

There might be someone near who doesn't use their space, and you could ask them if they'd let you use if in return for a modest payment. That's what I used to do with an elderly lady in a flat upstairs who didn't have a car.

getmore4less

Are the roads addopted or part of the private space that you are liable for the upkeep off? Sould be on your deeds.

If addopted they(management company) can do nothing about parking on the roads.

nervousftb_3

getmore4less wrote: »

Are the roads addopted or part of the private space that yu are liable for the upkeep off? Sould be on your deeds.

If addopted they(management company) can do nothing about parking on the roads.

At the moment they are not adopted, but will become adopted soon, or so we have been informed. There was talk of the council introducing yellow lines/parking restrictions, but to be honest as the estate is entirely self-contained (ie. it is set on it's own off a main road) I can't see that the council would be interested in enforcing this.

Thanks for all your input so far!

getmore4less

Unless there is a problem with "outsiders" parking resist any lines and signs it will spoil the area and make people think there is a parking problem(resale) especialy if it is a residential cul de sac.

Also a waste of council money.

(anecdote : In Norwich the councill wanted to spend loads of money making some roads 20mph and loads of people agreed. someone did an audit and the speed was only 17mph anyway)