Buying a flat with difficult parking

r4and0mno5

freesha said:

That's probably why it's cheap.

I agree. Properties were a lot cheaper there too a couple of years ago before prices started taking off again. They clearly made it look nice to sell. I think most of the apartments were shared ownership with people having the option to purchase the rest. I have no idea who else lives there as I haven't really seen anyone else around in the three times I've been there.

r4and0mno5

eddddy said:

Have you told the agent what the issue is?  Has the agent used their local knowledge to suggest some solutions to the parking problem?

A good estate agent should know their 'patch' and be able to tell you about local facilities - like parking, as well as supermarkets, schools, stations, etc.

It was the agent who told me that I could have residents parking. When I queried it, they said they'd chase it up and never did. When I contacted the council, I found out for sure that I couldn't. That's why I ended up asking the seller where I was supposed to park.

One of the agents suggested a different car park today. It's just as expensive and twice as far as the other one so it's safe to say the help I'll get from them is limited.

Ath_Wat

eddddy said:

r4and0mno5 said:

This is a good idea and if I lived closer I'd do it today. But I've been going backwards and forwards on this for a little while and I said I'd try to let the agent know by the end of the day. I think I know which way I'm leaning, I just don't feel great about it.

Have you told the agent what the issue is?  Has the agent used their local knowledge to suggest some solutions to the parking problem?

A good estate agent should know their 'patch' and be able to tell you about local facilities - like parking, as well as supermarkets, schools, stations, etc.

Quite often, there are no solutions.  There are plenty of flats (and some houses) in cities that you just don't live in if you need a car.

elsien

r4and0mno5 said:

Martico said:

 
Edit: first I'd check with other residents in the block to see what solutions they've found

This is a good idea and if I lived closer I'd do it today. But I've been going backwards and forwards on this for a little while and I said I'd try to let the agent know by the end of the day. I think I know which way I'm leaning, I just don't feel great about it.

I’d be telling the agent I’ll let them know when I’ve decided, and leave it at that. If you want more time to speak to neighbours or look at other options then take more time, regardless of what the agent says. 

eddddy

Ath_Wat said:

eddddy said:

r4and0mno5 said:

This is a good idea and if I lived closer I'd do it today. But I've been going backwards and forwards on this for a little while and I said I'd try to let the agent know by the end of the day. I think I know which way I'm leaning, I just don't feel great about it.

Have you told the agent what the issue is?  Has the agent used their local knowledge to suggest some solutions to the parking problem?

A good estate agent should know their 'patch' and be able to tell you about local facilities - like parking, as well as supermarkets, schools, stations, etc.

Quite often, there are no solutions.  There are plenty of flats (and some houses) in cities that you just don't live in if you need a car.

I realise that. If that's the case, the agent should be very clear in explaining that.

Somebody I know was recently told by an estate agent "don't even think about this flat if you want to have a car".

It's in the estate agent's interest to be upfront about this kind of stuff - because otherwise sales fall through, and the agent has to wait longer for their commission, or doesn't get it at all.



(And TBH, if the agent said Residents Parking Permits were available and they're not - that might be worthy of a complaint to the Property Ombudsman [assuming the agent is a member]. It depends whether that was a reasonable statement to make or not.)

jj_43

I'd sell the car and get bike. Maybe check on the service charge for the flat too.

r4and0mno5

eddddy said:

It's in the estate agent's interest to be upfront about this kind of stuff - because otherwise sales fall through, and the agent has to wait longer for their commission, or doesn't get it at all.



(And TBH, if the agent said Residents Parking Permits were available and they're not - that might be worthy of a complaint to the Property Ombudsman [assuming the agent is a member]. It depends whether that was a reasonable statement to make or not.)

Yes. I'm definitely feeling a bit misled by the whole thing, even if it was an honest mistake on the agent's part. As for the seller, they've been there a while so I don't know if they used to not have a car, parking restrictions changed, or they've just been dealing with it the whole time.

Don't trust anything said by someone who's trying to sell you something I suppose.

Ath_Wat

jj_43 said:

I'd sell the car and get bike. 

Not much good if they have to drive 350 miles for work 3 times a week.

r4and0mno5

jj_43 said:

I'd sell the car and get bike. Maybe check on the service charge for the flat too.

I have a bike but that won't get me to work. I'm not sure whether I'd trust the communal bike rack either, even though it's behind a gate.

Service charge is very low but goes up when work is done.

k3lvc

Out of interest is it a newish block that was built on the basis of no parking facilities ? Worth looking at the planning permission and see what the conditions were

If so then no-one, least of all the Council, are going to be bending over to help

There's plenty in my neck of the woods where people are having to park 20-30mins walk away (or privately rent locals driveways) - all well and good if you build into your exercise regime/timings on a daily basis but crap when it's raining or you're in a rush/unexpected journey etc

As others have said I'd walk away - even if you cope with it any potential future buyer will have the same (or worse) issues