Greedy Letting Agent Charging Me for Access to My Own Garage/shed!

Kinkajou

Hi All,
I own a house where there are rented garages at the rear.
To the back of my own house, there is a shed/garage that's mine (I can go through the garden to it) and at the side of the house there is an access road that goes round the back
When I first moved there, a lettings agency managed those rented garages and they put up an electric gate(which is attached to my house) and issued residents with keys to the gate for a tenner.
Now another agent has taken over, is changing the lock to the gate, wants to charge £95 to draw up an agreement to allow me access over the access road to my own property and then wants to charge £1.50 a week for the privilage of on foot access to the back, and £5 a week if I want to drive my car around there.
The deeds to my house show that I have access to that road. How can they try to charge me just to access my own property, when their gate is attached to my home? I'm fuming! Has this happened to anyone else? Not sure if need to contact a solicitor on this one. :mad:
Thanks,
Kinkajou!

hngrymummy

That doesn't sound quite right.

If your deeds say you have a right of access then you should have a right of access. Do your deeds or contract mention any fee for maintenance of the garage or road at all?

Did they ask before putting the gate on your house?

I think you need legal advice on this, maybe see if you could get a free half hour consultation.

Hope you get this sorted.

imho

I would go to Citizens Advise .
I should think everyone else who uses the garages are having charges as well. Dont sound right to me. I charge them for the electric gate if it was on my property.
Should think all those charges will devalue your house .Go get advise. Good luck.
Do you think they really want to knock down those garages and put up a building ? as it has access.

Gloomendoom

Unfortunately, under some circumstances, they can charge you to access your own property. Your deeds should tell you whether or not you have right of access to the garage at the rear of your property and by what means (foot or vehicular etc.).

I would get advice from a solicitor, it could save you money in the long run.

They have no right to attach anything to your wall without your express permission. You could charge them for the privilege. Again, a solicitor will advise.