Refused visitor parking where I live :(

KittyKate

I live in an apartment block just off the city centre, on a small cul-de-sac off a ring road. The cul-de-sac is council owned and is double yellow lined (there are no signs saying when you can and can't park so I assume it's all the time). Any cars that dare park on there get clamped.

We have an underground car park, and we don't have a space there because we don't have a car, me and my OH's work is only 10 minutes walk away. A space in the car park costs £100 a month.

Whenever my boyfriend's parents visit (about once a month) they need parking for about 5 hours. We are being refused a car park space because our security 'don't provide visitor's parking'. Which means his elderly parents have to park 15 minutes down the ring road and walk back to our apartment - when there are at least 150 free spaces in the car park (many of them without owners because of the high cost). We were told only car park passholders could park there. But if we had a car park pass we'd have a car - and it'd be parked there, meaning my inlaws couldn't park underground anyway!

I emailed the apartment management who said 'residents are clearly told there is no visitor parking' (we weren't) and 'it is a sensitive subject we are not willing to discuss'.

Surely there must be a law that people can park where they live? A bank of visitor's parking? Even a pay and display area? But they're not willing to budge. I shudder to think what we will do when it is snowing, my inlaws can't walk that far in the cold.

me4bargains

I'm afraid there are no laws stipulating that parking spaces must be provided for residents.
Thus the council are within their rights to refuse your in-laws a permit.
Might be a long shot, but may I suggest you contact your local councillor and explain your plight as he/she maybe be able to have a word with the council.
I doubt they will budge but it's worth a go.
Good luck.

starlite_2

We have this problem living in London, guests have to park and pay and display which is very expensive ,if they can find a space in the first place!
I'm not sure there is much you can do if that is the rules for your buildings car park.

Debt_Free_Chick

KittyKate wrote:

Surely there must be a law that people can park where they live?

Regrettably, no. If you lived in a house, you can't claim that the road directly in front of your house is "yours" or there for your parking - it's a public highway. In your case, however, the car park is owned by the landlord and they can impose whatever conditions they like. The conditions should be in the lease ... .did you see this before you bought?

A bank of visitor's parking?

'fraid not - see above

Even a pay and display area?

'fraid not - see above.

dunstonh

As there is a space allocated to you, could you not get the car pass on the parents car?

starlite_2

Thats probably not an option as it costs £100 per month.

Imelda

Could you advertise in your block asking if anyone would be willing to lend you a space for a few hours (stating the date and time) for £10 or so? Is there permit only parking anywhere nearer your flat? You could apply to get a pass for your in laws (you may have to prove that someone resident in your flat is insured on the car you wish to get a permit for) they're not normally that expensive and you get visitor permits as well for in case other friends and relatives visit. I have a permit for my OH's flat this way.

KittyKate

me4bargains wrote:

I'm afraid there are no laws stipulating that parking spaces must be provided for residents.
Thus the council are within their rights to refuse your in-laws a permit.
Might be a long shot, but may I suggest you contact your local councillor and explain your plight as he/she maybe be able to have a word with the council.
I doubt they will budge but it's worth a go.
Good luck.

I don't understand why I'd ask the council that - it's nothing to do with them, it's a private apartment block. The council aren't refusing my inlaws a permit.

clairehi

Why dont you get the inlaws to ring you when they arrive, and one of you pop down and park their car elsewhere for them.

KittyKate

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

The conditions should be in the lease ... .did you see this before you bought?

No, there is nothing in the lease regarding parking. We initially didn't mind as the cul-de-sac was not double-yellow-lined until about 3 months ago so they just parked on there. I had thought the council had yellow lined it but I've just found out it was the people who own the car parking spaces. My neighbour's car was clamped, a £40 fine payable to the apartment management, and a flyer on the windscreen saying 'parking is only £100 PCM'. A cheek, if you ask me. I pay £550 a month rent, I'm not paying £650! And no before someone suggests it I can't move out - tenancy agreement I'm afraid

KittyKate

clairehi wrote:

Why dont you get the inlaws to ring you when they arrive, and one of you pop down and park their car elsewhere for them.

Sadly neither me or my OH can drive, never needed to.

And subletting carparking spaces is 'against the T&C's'. Flipping rules!!