Allocated parking too small.

WaterKelpie

Help and advice please!
I just started a new 12 month tenancy in a flat. It's a block of 15 on private land (so no council involved).
I expect there's probably some kind of property management organisation but all of my communication so far has been through a letting agent.
Part of the appeal of this property was that it came with an 'allocated parking space'. The problem is that as soon as I moved in I discovered that the space is physically impossible to park in! :mad:
It's not technically blocked or inaccessible but it's only 2m wide and due to other surrounding restrictions (trees, fences, neighbours car, etc) the turning is too tight.
By the way, I'm not talking 10-point turn difficult, I genuinely mean it's impossible.
...maybe if I had a smart car or a motorbike...
My car isn't small but its not ridiculous, just a Renault estate (1.8m wide). However, I honestly believe you couldn't fit a Ford Fiesta!

Are there minimum size requirements for private parking?
Could this constitute a breach of contract?
Do I have any recourse?

TIA

need_an_answer

I assume you viewed the property before you agreed to rent it and along with that viewed the parking space.

It was your decision to take the property and enter into a contract based on what you should have viewed.

I believe the answer to all those bolded questions would be no.

You should have checked that the property and all allocations were fit for your purpose before committing to the tenancy especially given that it was something that really "appealed" to you

There are guidelines over sizes,but they are just that guidelines rather than enforceable

https://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/Library%202016/Bay_Sizes_-_Jul_2016.pdf

I doubt that the management company will be able to do anything to change the size of the space,it is what it is and was presumably purchased knowing its size and location by your LL who is the leaseholder to whom the management company takes instruction from.
The Letting agent will also act upon the instruction of your LL and as such neither the LA ,MA ,or LL have set out to misrepresent the space.


Is the size of the space mentioned in the tenancy agreement,if not then again there is no breach of contract as they have supplied you with the associated allocated space for that property.


Are there any visitor spaces within the parking area.you could enquire with the LL if it is possible to use one of those long term,but there may be restrictions on the amount of time a single visitor space can be occupied by the same vehicle or you may need to purchase a visitor permit in order to use it.

foxy-stoat

The "allocated parking space" is a space to park in, I do not think you have much in the way of recourse if your current vehicle doesn't fit in the space. I doubt the contract would of given sizes or confirmed that you can park a specific car in.

2m wide if you have objects either side doesn't give you a lot of room to open the door, even if you pulled the wing mirror in on the opposite side and parked as close as you can.

You may have to lump it until the 12 months is up and move if it is going to be a deal breaker.

00ec25

the answer you are looking for is the following: "I, and no one else, accept full responsibility for my own failure to check what I was signing up to."

Herbalus

There are minimum sizes for car parking spaces in car parks I believe. I recall that you can appeal parking tickets for parking over the lines if the spaces are found to be measured incorrectly. It’s probably guidelines as opposed to rules. This link suggests the standard is 2.4m wide. https://www.planningni.gov.uk/de/index/policy/planning_statements_and_supplementary_planning_guidance/spg_other/parking/parking_standards_considerations.htm

What you can do about it is another matter. I’m not really sure what to suggest.

And to the other posters, it’s perfectly reasonable to be told there is an allocated parking bag without having to see it, or even see the car park and view it as acceptable but the agent doesn’t know which one belongs to the flat. What next? Do you take a shower before deciding to rent a place or do you believe the landlord that the shower works?

Herbalus

If it actually is 2m wide that’s ridiculous.

AdrianC

WaterKelpie wrote: »

I just started a new 12 month tenancy in a flat.
Part of the appeal of this property was that it came with an 'allocated parking space'. The problem is that as soon as I moved in I discovered that the space is physically impossible to park in! :mad:

You didn't look at it before signing the tenancy?

Are there minimum size requirements for private parking?
Could this constitute a breach of contract?
Do I have any recourse?

No, no, and no.

AnotherJoe

I'm not so sure about that Adrian. Suppose the parking space turned out to be one foot square .. that woudl be clearly inadequate and a breach if contract on their part by not providing what teh contract says.
The OP could try to get out of this contract without penalties by referring to the car park standard mentioned above and threatening (and taking) legal action if they don't allow OP to exit without penalty.

getmore4less

Check the planning for the site, parking is sometimes specified

bouicca21

I have a flat with a garage, but the garage is too small for modern cars. Can I sue someone about it? Er, no.

AdrianC

bouicca21 wrote: »

I have a flat with a garage, but the garage is too small for modern cars. Can I sue someone about it? Er, no.

^ THIS...

The OP says "Renault estate", but doesn't give any more detail. A current Clio estate is 1730mm wide without mirrors. A current Fiesta's about the same. That's 100mm wider than an early 00s Clio, and 200mm wider than a 1970s Renault 5.

But it's only about 30mm narrower than a 1990s Ford Granada, and only 70mm narrower than a 1970s/early 80s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.