The joys of living in flats...

Buzzybee90

TrixA wrote: »

Is this person always parking in your space? If so that rather argues against your landlady's claim that there's a 'first come first served' rule in place. I've lived in places where that rule applies, but usually it would be where the number of flats significantly outnumbers the number of parking spaces. If there are eight flats and eight spaces any reasonable person is going to assume it's one space allocated to each flat. It may be that the previous tenant in your flat didn't have a car, so an expectation has developed that the shop employee can park there.

Does your rental agreement mention the parking? If not, it sounds like getting the other tenants on side is the right approach.

Yes it is always our space, so you are probably on to something, but I'm pretty sure he did have a car, believe he mentioned driving somewhere when we viewed. They arrive while we are both at work and then don't leave until after I get back.

We don't actually have a copy of the tenancy agreement yet (long story) but it's in the post and I will of course be checking it thoroughly to see what it mentions about parking.

I've just got back from work and I passed the car on the lane going the other way :mad:but at least I could park!

Moneymash

Gwhiz wrote: »

I'm going to guess the lady was feeding you some BS about being allowed.

Wow she must have money to burn, working in a shop and using a car for her commute, I guess she saves on the parking costs.

Buzzybee90

Gwhiz wrote: »

I'm going to guess the lady was feeding you some BS about being allowed.

Landlady confirmed they do park there sometimes (was a bit ambiguous with answer) but not whether they're explicitly allowed.

Buzzybee90

Moneymash wrote: »

Wow she must have money to burn, working in a shop and using a car for her commute, I guess she saves on the parking costs.

Not sure I get this comment, lots of people live outside the town so have to drive to work.

Moneymash

Buzzybee90 wrote: »

Not sure I get this comment, lots of people live outside the town so have to drive to work.

I read a very good article today about sensible and prudent commuting.

If she felt it was more money-saving to walk, bike or move closer to work, or get a job closer to home, then your problem is solved.

Errata

Is there enough space for you to park your front bumper up against her car's boot?

Buzzybee90

Moneymash wrote: »

I read a very good article today about sensible and prudent commuting.

If she felt it was more money-saving to walk, bike or move closer to work, or get a job closer to home, then your problem is solved.

That might be true in lots of places but here it's very rural around the town - But I agree with the principle and walked 2.5 miles to work and back before I moved counties!

Errata wrote: »

Is there enough space for you to park your front bumper up against her car's boot?

Unfortunately not, it's a tiny space

DAN1

I have recently had the same problem, 5 spaces 5 flats. I quite annoyed to find another car in my allocated space so i just parked on the pavement blocking them in. A bit forceful you may say but it does the trick!

aileth

Sometimes no matter how hard you try to keep your space, people will find a way to park there. Our old flat used to have secure underground parking with flat numbers on spaces and fob and code entry. All was fine until they built a new shopping 'destination' nearby. At that point I used to walk to work and actually witnessed people loitering in cars near the electric gate waiting for a resident and then diving in through the gate behind them to grab a space. You only had to press a button to exit rather than re-swipe. Nightmare

franklee

Save a copy of the advertisement for the property. If you are quick it may still be on rightmove or look at the history on zoopla. Save any newspaper cutting or photograph any ad in the agent's window etc.

See if you asked about the parking in writing, email or text. Write up an account of your asking at the viewing, who told you it was allocated parking etc.

Unless stated clearly otherwise you are renting the whole property so I suggest you get the land registry entries and see if the property comes with a parking space. It's only three quid for each entry.

Presumably you signed the tenancy agreement? You should have taken a copy before handing it back otherwise they could modify it and you wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Same with the inventory which should describe the property.

Getting evidence from the previous tenant is also useful but leaves the landlord a chance to say they changed things between tenancies.

Then put your evidence in writing to the landlord and politely ask them to ensure the allocated parking that you are paying for is provided. I'd ask for written confirmation the shop worker doesn't have permission to park there. Once you've got that you will probably have to enforce it yourself, if the flats have a managing agent I'd try them.