Property not as advertised - advice please!

ptgirl90

I'm a first time buyer and we've had an offer accepted on a property. We offered the asking price of 350K for a 2 bed house with off road parking at the rear and I thought for the area it was a good price. We've started the buying process and had a look at the title deeds for the property. It turns out that we're unable to park at the rear (through a double gate and on to a hard standing a previous owner had erected at the back of the garden) as the deeds state that we ONLY have a 5ft right of way to the back of the property (which isn't big enough for a car). 

We REALLY wanted parking, in fact it was one thing we didn't want to negotiate on. The road the house is on is quite narrow and very busy with people parking on the road (no permits) and buses driving through. We felt 350k for the house WITH parking was a bargain... Now it doesn't have parking... well we're feeling a bit misled and gutted. We still love the house (although it needs lots of work) and we're debating asking the seller for money off the purchase price.... 

The question is..... how much off do you think is fair? 

Doozergirl

It's not the actual parking space, just the access to it, yes? 

How wide is the actual access road?  Who owns the land?   How long have the vendors/previous owners been using it for?   Have you looked at the satellite history on the Google Earth app? 

Who is going to enforce the additional 20-30cm width of your car travelling along this piece of land?  

If you thought it was a bargain price for the area, it probably still is. My car is 6ft wide.  It wouldn't bother me.  

anselld

If it has been custom and practice for a significant time to use the hardstanding for parking and there have been no objections or enforcement action to date then it is most probable that use can continue.  The vendor is unlikely to agree a significant reduction for a technicality in the deeds.
If, however, the hardstanding has not, or cannot physically be used then you will have to decide what that loss is worth to you.  Since you "REALY" wanted it then it sounds like a showstopper and you should look for something else.

AdrianC

ptgirl90 said:

I'm a first time buyer and we've had an offer accepted on a property. We offered the asking price of 350K for a 2 bed house with off road parking at the rear and I thought for the area it was a good price. We've started the buying process and had a look at the title deeds for the property. It turns out that we're unable to park at the rear (through a double gate and on to a hard standing a previous owner had erected at the back of the garden) as the deeds state that we ONLY have a 5ft right of way to the back of the property (which isn't big enough for a car).

We REALLY wanted parking, in fact it was one thing we didn't want to negotiate on. The road the house is on is quite narrow and very busy with people parking on the road (no permits) and buses driving through. We felt 350k for the house WITH parking was a bargain... Now it doesn't have parking... well we're feeling a bit misled and gutted. We still love the house (although it needs lots of work) and we're debating asking the seller for money off the purchase price.... 

The question is..... how much off do you think is fair? 

Either you need parking, or you don't need parking. If you need parking, then a few grand reduction isn't going to make it appear, is it? Time to walk away and find somewhere else. In the meantime, thank your solicitor for doing his job. Don't blame the EA, since they go by what their client - the vendor - told them, no more.

Jono111

There is no fair. Offer what you like and see if they accept it. If it were me and I needed parking then I would buy a house with unrestricted parking, I assume someone could fence off or block the extra bit you need for access leaving you stuck.

davidmcn

ptgirl90 said:

We've...had a look at the title deeds for the property. It turns out that we're unable to park at the rear...as the deeds state that we ONLY have a 5ft right of way to the back of the property

Now it doesn't have parking...

Woah. Have you actually had advice from your solicitor about the title deeds, or just tried to interpret them yourselves? As above, if the owners have been using the access for a car (do they appear to have?) and have done so for long enough, they may have rights which go beyond those stated in the deeds. And/or may be able to back this up with a title indemnity policy. Which would mean you (a) (at least for all practical purposes) have the rights you thought you did and (b) don't have to revisit the price.

Cakeguts

Now you have found out why this particular house appeared to be "good value for money."  It has a problem. It wouldn't have been the price it is if it had had parking that you could access it would have been more expensive. So what  do you want a house that is cheap for the area and no parking or a house that is the right price for the area with parking?

staffie1

If the property is not suitable, then walk away and find something else. No price reduction is going to make up for a problem you will have to live with day in, day out.

Doozergirl

davidmcn said:

ptgirl90 said:

We've...had a look at the title deeds for the property. It turns out that we're unable to park at the rear...as the deeds state that we ONLY have a 5ft right of way to the back of the property

Now it doesn't have parking...

Woah. Have you actually had advice from your solicitor about the title deeds, or just tried to interpret them yourselves? As above, if the owners have been using the access for a car (do they appear to have?) and have done so for long enough, they may have rights which go beyond those stated in the deeds. And/or may be able to back this up with a title indemnity policy. Which would mean you (a) (at least for all practical purposes) have the rights you thought you did and (b) don't have to revisit the price.

Just thought I'd bring this comment back up, considering how many people are saying the OP has an unsurmountable problem whilst ignoring the person that does this for a living... 

HampshireH

You have already said parking is the 1 thing you won't negotiate on........yet now your negotiating?

Don't compromise your wishes unless you are 100% sure. It's an expensive mistake to make if your not.

Doozergirl

Hooray for people that don't read any replies and post their own immediate judgements.  

It's supposed to be a community.   A conversation, even.