Annual Permit Charge On My Own Car Park Space

Pear

I brought a car park space with my property from a housing association. We have been told that we need to have a parking permit or the parking control company will fine us for parking in our own bay!!

The parking permit will cost us, which needs to be renewed and charged on an annual basis. I do not understand why I need to pay an annual permit charge when I have already paid for my own parking space.

Are there any one in the same situation?

Coupon-mad

Yes and you will find them by searching keywords such as: 'own space' or 'residential flats' or the name of the Parking company. Use 'search this forum' just above the threads on page one (NOT 'SEARCH MSE'!).

Which parking company is infesting this car park? They can't FINE you, but they can issue a 'parking charge' which is what this forum is all about in the sticky threads.

Pear

I did some search beforehand but I will try it again with those keywords.

The parking company is PCM. When I meant 'fine' it was referring to issuing parking charge (thought it meant the same thing but looks like its not).

There are a mixture of residents who can use the car park - those resident who have purchased a parking space and residents who have been allocated a parking space. Both have to pay for the permit but those who purchased a parking pay less. Still we should not need to pay for an annual permit to be displayed on our car if we have purchased a parking space!

Coupon-mad

I would not risk it, PCM are with the IPC and they don't provide any useful 'appeal service' despite the promise of 'IAS'. It's a kangaroo court in our experience.

Keep the letter from the HA as the wording may well be VERY useful in future when you or a visitor get a PCN, as you will do, because that's what these scummy firms set out to do, find victims. In residential car parks that will be residents, friends, visitors, delivery drivers, etc.

Do you have to option to opt out? Do you OWN that space? Demand from the HA to be advised how to opt out of the questionable 'parking scheme' as PCM are ex clampers, with 'not the best reputation' and zero appeals service as they've moved away from the BPA and POPLA to the IPC whose appeal service is known to be useless for consumers. Say you are astonished the HA is letting a firm with PCM's background and no POPLA appeal available any more, anywhere near residents cars. Ask if PCM told them they were no longer a BPA AOS member?

Stir it a bit but try NOT to collect PCNs or the IPC might help PCM to try a small claim which you would need to defend. Personally I would not want to live there, not joking, that does not give you the 'peaceful enjoyment of your property' that should be a prerequisite of your home.

Oh, and search 'PCM IAS' (using 'Search this forum' next to 'forum tools') to find the recent rubbish 'decisions' by the sinister and anonymous people at IAS. Biased - who knows, certainly the decisions read that way and are patronising to consumers in the wording used. Unfair? ...yep. Up themselves? They come across that way at the IAS, not worth trying if you do get a ticket, better to keep ALL letters and see if PCM try a small claim. Be ready just in case, this will happen (a PCN will happen).

Northlakes

I think you need to look at the deeds for your property to ensure that the HA have not put in a covenant covering the management of the site and their ability to manage parking.
You definitely don't want to go down the road of purchasing a permit and in my view this would be detrimental to the value of the property you bought.
This needs to be tackled and you may need professional legal advice to make sure that both the HA and the PPC are fully aware that you don't want anything to do with their management scheme.

Half_way

As above - check your lease/rental/deeds etc

Pear

We own that parking space, as we purchased the parking which was added on to the price of the property.

The letter that we were given was from PCM to inform residents, on behalf of the HA they have now been requested to control the car park. On the letter there is nothing written about opting out.

However, I did read in another forum someone else who brought a property from the same HA receieved a smilair PCM letter but they had the option to opt out. (Doubt it is the same developement).

Although they have the option to opt out, the letter they posted up state they can not opt back in if there was an unauthorised vehicle parking in your bay. What does all this opt out and opt in mean (if I opt out will I not be able to park in my own parking space)?

It seem like I have brought some where that it will cost me even more then renting! I was suppose to be enjoying a new place but it has already been a nightmare! Would it been less likely to be a case if I brought a property with a car park space from a private developer instead of a development own by an HA?

Pear

Northlakes - I think the HA has covered themselves if I have read the clause correctly. There is something that parking space is accordance of the HA regulation. I can't see what I can do apart from raising that we were not told about this extra annual cost.

PPC stand for?

Northlakes

Don't be confused, the letter you have received may be accidental as you as an owner may/will be in a completely different legal position to a tenant. The letter has probably been sent to the whole development regardless of whether you are a tenant or owner and your legal standing may/will be completely different.

A first enquiry should be to the HA as they may have cocked-up and not realised there is an issue. However be in no doubt that PPC's can be a pestilence both to you and any visitors and given what we have seen on these forums recently there introduction should be resisted.

On a stronger note you may also add that recent consumer legislation will make the HA/PPC jointly liable for damages and costs incurred in defending claims wrongly issued by their agents.
That may make them sit up a bit!

Northlakes

PPC stands for a Private Parking Company who 'manages' privately owned car parks.

The Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) may be a useful agency to use without incurring legal costs. Your original tenancy agreement which could have included HA regulations may not be valid or relevant now that you have purchased the property.

That's why I stated professional legal advice may be required but try the other avenues first.

Coupon-mad

if I opt out will I not be able to park in my own parking space?

Nooo! Course you will, you own it! You would just opt out of ScammersRUs being able to 'police' your owned bay. Your visitors who park elsewhere will still get PCNs, as will almost everyone who lives there over the months...due to a permit slipping one day, or PCM's fave little trick of re-issuing 'new permits' then ticketing all cars still showing old versions... This is what PPCs like these ex-clampers do. You and yours WILL get a PCN at some point, I would bet, but do not pay it nor appeal it, your chances in court are better than IAS (no joke).

I would be insisting that as owner you do not accept PCM in your space and if they touch any vehicle there they will be trespassing. Look at this linked thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4777418

post #30 was my suggested letter for a resident at the end of their tether to send the Managing Agent, landowner, PPC and all. Be inspired by Roger Davy v UKPC!