Buying a house: Allocated Parking

henrygregory

Good morning,

I am looking at purchasing a new build three bed property. It is on a small development of five houses. The houses have not been built by a big developer but an independent builder.

The property I am interested in comes with "two allocated parking spaces" and the estate agent has suggested that these would be the two directly outside of the house in question - obviously something which would be appealing.

How can I verify that this would be the case, as if we didn't get the two spaces directly outside, I don't think we would be as interested. Is there anything I can ask for to prove this?

On the estate agent listing for the property online, it is described as follows:
"PRIVATE PARKING FOR 2 VEHICLES"

Many thanks.

P.S. The tenure on the house is freehold.

ThePants999

Just tell the EA/builder that you'll be pulling out if your solicitor fails to verify that it's those two. They won't want to waste the time if it actually isn't.

davidmcn

The chances are that there will currently be nothing allocated among the houses, just a large blob of land owned by the developer. The "proof" will be in the contract which you enter into with the developer which will say what you're getting in exchange for your money. But I'd expect them to have some sort of layout plan showing how they intend to split things up.

Davesnave

It's irrelevant what the advert says or what the agent says.

The only thing that matters is what the contract says and shows by way of a plan.

You would need your solicitor to advise you on that, but why not start by advising the builder, in writing, that your interest in the property is entirely dependent on securing those places.

henrygregory

Thanks everybody, very helpful comments. This is my first house, so a little in-experienced. Will follow your helpful advice.

PasturesNew

Davesnave wrote: »

You would need your solicitor to advise you on that, but why not start by advising the builder, in writing, that your interest in the property is entirely dependent on securing those places.

What Dave says is key - get it IN WRITING right from the start that those specific, two spaces, are yours ... and that is part of the contract.

tim123456789

how is your exclusive use of these spaces going to be enforced?


are they on the property or just outside "on the road"


If the latter you are going to find enforcing exclusive use, impossible (unless you can put a lockable post on them).


tim

getmore4less

Check the planning application,

a development near us(converted office) each flat's parking is on the plans along with the visitor spaces.

You don't just want to know about your spaces but where everyone parks.

Also think about if all house max out at 1 car per bedroom+1.

henrygregory

tim123456789 wrote: »

how is your exclusive use of these spaces going to be enforced?


are they on the property or just outside "on the road"


If the latter you are going to find enforcing exclusive use, impossible (unless you can put a lockable post on them).


tim

Thanks Tim, no not the latter, it is a private car parking area not on the road. But as another poster has said, if everyone ended up with a car per bedroom, it would be chaos. It really is a wonder that the council allow all of these planning applications.

We are currently renting in a relatively new-build. The road is just about wide enough for the dust cart to fit into and all one beds (with two adults in) come with one parking space which is clearly not enough! I believe this has now changed to a minimum of two parking allocations for new builds.

foxy-stoat

Just ask to see the layout plan for the property and any driveways. If the 2 spaces are not actually on the property itself and its a deal breaker for you, then look for another property that has a 2 car driveway.

Good lucks

kimbyanne

I would get it in writing as to exactly where your allocated parking spaces would be. I absolutely hate allocated parking, it never ends well! I have lived in a flat with allocated parking and it became a free for all (although lucky enough spaces that it sort of worked). Also lived in a house with allocated parking (despite being a three bed only had one space) and if people had multiple cars they would just park in your space and it usually got nasty when asking them to move (as they had no where to move to, etc).

If the spaces are directly outside of your property, in a short of "driveway" fashion - you might be ok. If they are situated further away, I wouldn't touch it.

There are some new builds near us that have allocated parking in like a communal car parking area (so the one closest to your house isnt necessarily your space), apparently it is causing no end of trouble as everyone wants to park in the space closest to their houses!