Parking restrictions on lease

funkydim

Hi Guys
I bought a leasehold flat a few years ago, Victorian conversion. As it was developed from a large home into 3 flats, the council saw fit to impose parking permit restrictions on the new flats.

I bought it thinking I wouldn't need a car, but life changes and now we are expecting. Theres a bigger issue with my wife's super rare blood type and risk of the baby needing a blood transfusion quicksmart, but that's a longer story.

Short story is we now want a car.

So my questions are:
Does anyone have experience with councils (mine is LBHF) allowing for a variation of this restriction? If so I'd love to hear how it went and the process?

Alternatively, I was thinking I could purchase the parking permit from my freeholder if he's willing to sell (there's still 1 flat with the original permit)?
If that's possible, what sort of money are we talking and what is the process?

Any info is much appreciated.

Thanks
D

davidmcn

I doubt it's as straightforward as "purchasing the parking permit" - from similar set-ups elsewhere, the council will have determined which flats are entitled to a permit and which aren't. So any reallocation will be up to the council.

Unless they've relaxed their parking policy since the conversion happened (which is unlikely) I doubt you'd be able to persuade them that your non-car flat ought to become one entitled to a permit - in which case your only option (other than moving) would be to find an off-road parking space elsewhere.

Alan2020

Highly doubt that your council will consider this necessary? Are ambulances and taxis not available in this town? This is what the planners will ask.

A simple solution is to lease or buy a parking spot or garage nearby. Alternatively best to move. No harm in asking the council but realistically you are better off moving in the longer term

eddddy

As a starting point, you could see if LBHF would rent you a garage or parking space nearby.

See: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/housing/garages

I'd guess their rents would be the cheapest in the area, so maybe expect to pay a bit more if you rent a space privately.


In another part of London, I know somebody who walked nearby streets looking for buildings with empty parking spaces. They put notes through doors saying "I'll pay you £x per week to park in your empty space" - and they seemed to be successful.

Often the properties were HMOs, or cheap rental flats, where there was a parking space, but no tenants had cars.

In some cases the landlord was happy with a bit of extra cash, in other cases I suspect the tenants accepted the cash, and didn't tell the landlord.

hazyjo

Also, try justpark and parkonmydrive websites. There are others. At least you'll guarantee a space most of the time, especially if you book ahead.


You may find you want to move house too once the baby arrives, so I'd hold off for now as far as large (possibly expensive) decisions are concerned.

agrinnall

Is there a car club in your area that you could join that has parking nearby so that you wouldn't actually need to buy a car of your own?


In fact, here's one to start with https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/electric-vehicles/electric-car-club

gingercordial

agrinnall wrote: »

Is there a car club in your area that you could join that has parking nearby so that you wouldn't actually need to buy a car of your own?


In fact, here's one to start with https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/electric-vehicles/electric-car-club

The problem with these is they're great if you know in advance that you will want a car, but not necessarily if you want one at short notice especially at peak times. I used to be in one and for a Saturday hire would routinely have to walk half an hour to the nearest available car, even when trying to book the day before. Sometimes there were none even within that radius. This was London zone 2 with loads theoretically available - just that on Saturdays and Sundays everyone else had the same idea for weekends away or trips to Ikea.

If the OP's need is because of emergencies with the baby then that isn't a reliable method, though to be honest a taxi/Uber shouldn't be hard to come by at short notice in Hammersmith.

funkydim

Really appreciate all the answers on here.

Yes, there's always Uber very close by, it's just in an emergency I don't want to rely on someone else.
However, I'll look into alternatives as it seems that's the only way forward.
Cheers

AdrianC

funkydim wrote: »

Yes, there's always Uber very close by, it's just in an emergency I don't want to rely on someone else.

Can I suggest that you consider turning that logic around?

If you have a medical emergency with your baby, then the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about driving/traffic/parking. You live in central London. Driving, traffic and parking are quite frankly a nightmare at the best of times... On the other hand, taxis are ten a penny - and can use parts of the road that you can't, in order to go around traffic. If it's THAT urgent an emergency that the time for a taxi is critical, then you really should be phoning for a big white-and-stripes taxi with blue lights on the roof...

Anyway, back to the parking permit question. You say that Hammersmith & Fulham council have placed restrictions - but you don't say what they are. Assuming they're as simple as stating that this flat can't have a permit, then it's massively unlikely that "But now I'd like one, please" is going to change their mind. After all, they've restricted the availability for a reason.

Soundgirlrocks

Just to add Hammersmith & Fulham are really strict about parking, my BF lives there is entitled to a parking permit but doesn't have a car. He is however on my insurance and drives my car. We can't get a permit for my car as he's not the registered keeper.

MysteryMe

Could you not change the registered keeper to your boyfriend? Being the registered keeper would not make him the legal owner of the vehicle. There might be insurance considerations, but might be worth checking?