Rental property advertised with parking but there is no parking

stuartm78

Hi all,

Newbie here. I have just moved into a rental property on a new-build development. It was sold to me as having a Garage and Parking.

Upon moving in I was greeted by a neighbour who filled me in on all the parking wars and disputes that have taken place and not been resolved - it seems there is no allocated parking. I purchased a copy of the deeds which show only a garage. The management company has confirmed that there is no allocated parking and that all spaces on the street are deemed visitors only. I am also unable to manoeuvre my car into the garage due to the tight space and also residents seem to park in front of them!!

The agency are arguing that the property owner has verbally confirmed there is a parking space and therefore it is not there issue and I have not been miss-sold the property. Had I been made aware that this property did not have allocated parking I would not have even viewed the property due to the narrow roads.

I have only been in the property 5 days and have a 6 month agreement.

Where do I stand legally? am I entitled to a rent reduction or, preferably be able to end the contract early so I can find a property with appropriate parking.

Many thanks,

EverGreen_2

stuartm78 wrote: »

Hi all,

Newbie here. I have just moved into a rental property on a new-build development. It was sold to me as having a Garage and Parking.

Upon moving in I was greeted by a neighbour who filled me in on all the parking wars and disputes that have taken place and not been resolved - it seems there is no allocated parking. I purchased a copy of the deeds which show only a garage. The management company has confirmed that there is no allocated parking and that all spaces on the street are deemed visitors only. I am also unable to manoeuvre my car into the garage due to the tight space and also residents seem to park in front of them!!

The agency are arguing that the property owner has verbally confirmed there is a parking space and therefore it is not there issue and I have not been miss-sold the property. Had I been made aware that this property did not have allocated parking I would not have even viewed the property due to the narrow roads.

I have only been in the property 5 days and have a 6 month agreement.

Where do I stand legally? am I entitled to a rent reduction or, preferably be able to end the contract early so I can find a property with appropriate parking.

Many thanks,

What is your rental contract saying regarding the parking issue (in writing, not verbal)?

stuartm78

Hi Evergreen.

Just checked and there is no mention of parking.. I'm guessing that is not a good thing??

Jeff_Djevdet

Hi Stuart,

If the agent has admitted that they said there was a space I believe you have a right of redress. Ask for their final viewpoint in writing and if not to your liking, take it up with The Ombudsman!

stuartm78

Thanks Jeff.

I received the below from the agency too:

"I’ve spoken to your landlord regarding the parking at the property. They agree it is not great but was changed by I****** Management who look after the area. The parking space used to be the one right by the property but now your parking space is the one opposite."

I have spoken with this management company myself who have confirmed that any space on the road side is deemed "visitors" and that there is no allocated parking..

rosie383

Is there any original advert for the property? If it was a big issue for you, then maybe it would have been specified in the ad? Then you would have it in writing.

stuartm78

Hi Rosie,

Yep it's on the original Ad. You can't view it on the website but it's a saved property on the mobile app so the advert remains.

stator

Try using google to print off another copy of the ad. You can viewed 'cached' copies of some web pages.

eddddy

I'm a bit confused by your posts - you're saying a (bad) parking space is available, but you still feel you have been misled.

Anyway... the legal position is:

If the LL/agent 'misrepresented' the parking situation before you signed the contract, and you wouldn't have signed the contract otherwise - you have two options:

- Cancel the contract
- Claim damages (e.g. the cost of renting a suitable parking space)

Obviously, the LL/agent may dispute what was said.

(And if you can't reach an agreement between yourselves, ultimately a court would have to decide "on the balance of probabilities". i.e. Whose story is most likely to be true?)

davidmcn

I'm also confused - you suggest that you do have access to a garage, but it's a bit difficult to get into? If other residents are blocking access then that's something the landlord ought to be able to sort out.