Parking space dispute

Dannydee333

Okay, so the title may have got your attention but there is no current dispute (I'm not certain this is in the correct forum!).

However, I'm moving soon to an apartment block, outside which there are a row of spaces, with one space each dedicated to the owner of an apartment.

The place I'm buying has been empty for some time, and having driven around the area on several occasions at night etc, there have been many vehicles parked outside.

I imagine that since nobody has lived in my place for quite a while, someone may well have adopted the space as their own, or someone in their household has adopted it (the spaces are not numbered or anything).

I'm anxious about moving and someone else has been using my space regulary who see it as theirs now, and then all of a sudden I start parking in it. I don't want to be involved in any disputes or get off on the wrong foot with my new neighbours.

So I want to get ahead of this rather than waiting to see if it becomes an issue and then asking.

• What would/should/could you do in such a situation? How could one approach it?

• If someone is in your space, do you start knocking doors and asking who owns the car in your space?

• Do you wait until it's empty and park in it and just say nothing?

I know I may be worrying about something that has not happened yet but I want to be prepared in advance so I can approach it in a reasoned, calm, and non-confrontational manner.

Has anyone actually experienced this scenario?

LightFlare

Dannydee333 said:

Okay, so the title may have got your attention but there is no current dispute (I'm not certain this is in the correct forum!).

However, I'm moving soon to an apartment block, outside which there are a row of spaces, with one space each dedicated to the owner of an apartment.

The place I'm buying has been empty for some time, and having driven around the area on several occasions at night etc, there have been many vehicles parked outside.

I imagine that since nobody has lived in my place for quite a while, someone may well have adopted the space as their own, or someone in their household has adopted it (the spaces are not numbered or anything).

I'm anxious about moving and someone else has been using my space regulary who see it as theirs now, and then all of a sudden I start parking in it. I don't want to be involved in any disputes or get off on the wrong foot with my new neighbours.

So I want to get ahead of this rather than waiting to see if it becomes an issue and then asking.

• What would/should/could you do in such a situation? How could one approach it?

• If someone is in your space, do you start knocking doors and asking who owns the car in your space?

• Do you wait until it's empty and park in it and just say nothing?

I know I may be worrying about something that has not happened yet but I want to be prepared in advance so I can approach it in a reasoned, calm, and non-confrontational manner.

Has anyone actually experienced this scenario?

First question:

you say that each apartment has an allocated space, but also that the spaces are not numbered (identified).
How are spaces allocated and how are they associated to a specific property if they aren’t identified ?

Dannydee333

LightFlare said:

First question:

you say that each apartment has an allocated space, but also that the spaces are not numbered (identified).
How are spaces allocated and how are they associated to a specific property if they aren’t identified ?

When I visited my solicitor to sign the contract and he showed me the blueprint of the building and area, etc, he had highlighted which space was mine.

Perhaps it's not even an issue and it's just first come first served but it sounded pretty specific when he told me.

Section62

Dannydee333 said:

Okay, so the title may have got your attention but there is no current dispute (I'm not certain this is in the correct forum!).

However, I'm moving soon to an apartment block, outside which there are a row of spaces, with one space each dedicated to the owner of an apartment.

The place I'm buying has been empty for some time, and having driven around the area on several occasions at night etc, there have been many vehicles parked outside.

I imagine that since nobody has lived in my place for quite a while, someone may well have adopted the space as their own, or someone in their household has adopted it (the spaces are not numbered or anything).

I'm anxious about moving and someone else has been using my space regulary who see it as theirs now, and then all of a sudden I start parking in it. I don't want to be involved in any disputes or get off on the wrong foot with my new neighbours.

So I want to get ahead of this rather than waiting to see if it becomes an issue and then asking.

• What would/should/could you do in such a situation? How could one approach it?

• If someone is in your space, do you start knocking doors and asking who owns the car in your space?

• Do you wait until it's empty and park in it and just say nothing?

I know I may be worrying about something that has not happened yet but I want to be prepared in advance so I can approach it in a reasoned, calm, and non-confrontational manner.

Has anyone actually experienced this scenario?

It is a very common scenario.

The main question is in what way are the spaces "dedicated" if they aren't individually numbered on the ground?

Do you just get a right to park if you can find a space, or is there some 'legal' dedication of a particular space to an owner/occupier?

One extra thing to be cautious about is if the owner of the area used for parking decides to employ a private parking contractor... for example responding to resident complaints about excess/unauthorised parking.

Brie

I would certainly go ahead and park in "your" spot if it is available.  If you can't then I would park in another spot and put a note inside your car on your dash stating "new resident in No. 4" so whomever owns that spot knows whose door to knock on.  When they do explain nicely that your spot was taken and do they know who owns the red Fiat?  That way you can go and have a polite conversation with that resident and ask them to move their car.  

All done with smiles and a jolly "Hi!  I'm Danny and new here!".  Hopefully the neighbours will be equally pleasant.  

TELLIT01

Unless there is a specified space allocated for each flat it is going to  be very difficult potentially to prove that an 'unauthorised' car is parking and denying you a space.  Depending on how old the block is, parking spaces may not be wide enough for modern cars, leading to, for example, 5 cars occupying an area previously suitable for 6. 

You need to check the deeds carefully to confirm whether there should be a dedicated space, or is simply first come first served.

gm0

Be sure to park in it (being sure from lease plan which one is truly yours).  The demised lease plan is definitive.  But in an established development it is wise to find out how this issue has been handled and discussed.  Be in no doubt.  All flat developments discuss parking issues and thoughtlessness and other related bad behaviour.   Anywhere more than a few years old - there will be "history" on the topic.  Time for a friendly chat with the longer established neighbour.

Be super friendly and greet people you meet around the place.
Anyone gets pushy claiming prior use.  Look puzzled.  Still friendly.  But be clear that while it is lovely that they enjoyed the flexibility while the flat was empty/occupied by a non-car owner.  You and your car(s) have now moved in.  And it is definitively your space(s).  Not visitor.  And that - is that.  Please do not park here again without a resident neighbour (if they are visiting one) first seeking your prior permission. 

We all need to do deals with neighbours now and then. Xmas. Renovation trades etc.

A traffic cone marked with your flat number.  A few places forbid these (aesthetics).  But make laziness work for you.  Getting out of the car to move your cone makes that space less attractive to steal than one without a cone.

For the defiant (after warning off with a note).  Stronger measures are occasionally needed.  Blocking in and making them wait to be able to depart is a favourite if through layout and co-operative neighbours permit.  Nobody wants to do that twice.

FreeBear

Have a chat with the management company and see what their attitude is towards parking issues. They may well have a policy in place to resolve issues such as this.

GrubbyGirl_2

I think I would be tempted to pop a note on the car before your move in acknowledging that as the apartment has been empty it's been free for others to use, however you're just letting them know that you'll be moving in on X date and you'll be needing your parking space.  

markin

The isn't always parking for every flat, so someone without parking maybe using it. At night is the always some spaces or will you be the one having to walk 10min to your car? 

Ganga

Ask the person you are buying the flat from where they park and also can they point out which is going to be your spot.Also what they do if some one uses their spot without permission.