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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

CF landlords or neighbours! (parking. diagram attached!)

19 replies

FithColumnist · 29/03/2018 22:24

So. Please see accompanying diagram. My flat is in one of two blocks on the same plot (basically the "same" block, just split into two buildings: the numbering goes from one block to the other.) In our tenancy agreement, we have use of one of the garages, which is where the car normally lives. Currently, however, the landlords have decided that they need to resurface the parking spaces outside the garages and at the front of my block, which means that there is no access to the garages and no parking outside my block.

We were informed by the agents that it would be possible to park outside the other block. So we have been doing so (green star). Today, however, we received a letter from a private parking company to the effect that we are parked illegally there, and they are going to charge us £100. They include pictures of our car in the letter, and have stated that they got our address from the DVLA.

Not a single car in the parking spaces either in front of the other block or my block has any kind of pass or similar indicating that it is "permitted" to park there, nor are there any signs saying that it's a restricted parking area. I reckon that somebody from the other block has reported our car because they can't get into their normal space, tbh.

AIBU to a) tell the private parking company to stuff it, b) complain vociferously to the management agents about this and c) hunt down whichever bastard in the other block shopped us and subsequently plot their messy yet ultimately satisfying demise?

CF landlords or neighbours! (parking. diagram attached!)
OP posts:
Gide · 29/03/2018 22:31

Don’t respond to the notice. I read something on FB the other day that these private companies can’t enforce fines/take you to court, but you admit liability if you respond t9 them. Ignore, ignore, but maybe let your ll know and ask where else you should park/who is allowed to park where. Could you get a note for inside your car windscreen saying that the owner of the block has given you express permission/told you to park there?

Namechangetempissue · 29/03/2018 22:32

Yes to a and b, but I don't think someone has necessarily dobbed you in. Private parking companies will jump on anyone immediately if spotted -that is how they make money after all! If no signs are displayed I wouldn't pay and would complain definitely.

MammaTJ · 29/03/2018 22:33

No signs, they have not got a leg to stand on!

Well done for the beautiful diagram!

Knittedfairies · 29/03/2018 22:35

Splendid diagram, OP. Have a ⭐️!

WineAndTiramisu · 29/03/2018 22:38

If there's no signs there, they haven't got a leg to stand on, ignore them. I'd take some photos though in case signs appear...

Cheeseislife · 29/03/2018 22:39

Which agent told you to park there - letting or block management? I'd definitely be sending to the latter especially if it came about because of their instruction, and if the former I'd be complaining to them too - if parking is part of the tenancy agreement you've definitely got a case against the letting agent/landlord!

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 29/03/2018 22:42

A & B. If it escalates, there are cut and paste letters re parking charges on the Martin Lewis website. Gold star for the diagram, plus very funny description of flat occupants. Grin

CardsforKittens · 29/03/2018 22:43

Can't offer you any advice, but I absolutely LOVE your diagram! Hope you get it sorted out.

SD1978 · 29/03/2018 22:48

Are you basically nicking someone else’s spot by parking there? Since you can’t use your garage, is there now double the number of cars trying to park in spots previously only available to the residents if that block? That would piss me off if I suddenly had to fight to park there because others were suddenly using the car park. Do oh have it in writing from the landlord to use that parking? Is the car park his, or did he just suggest it, without actually being able to authorise you parking there? If there is parking in the deeds of the other block, then I’d imagine the fine (may) stand. If you have notice from the landlord, send them that as your proof that you’ve need given permission.

Lacucuracha · 29/03/2018 22:51

home of perfidy and pettiness

Love it!

I would take pictures of the parking spaces and lack of signage, and complain to the British Parking Association or POPLA about harassment from this private parking company.

I had a long running fight with a private parking company who fined my mum for parking in a blue badge space without a blue badge. She had forgotten to place her blue badge in the dashboard but the building manager wrote a letter saying they had witnessed her BB that day and were happy she had a right to park there. The parking company wouldn't give up. They are scum.

FithColumnist · 29/03/2018 23:04

SD1978 Oh, I fully agree. If I didn't have a garage, just a parking spot I normally used, I'd be pissed off myself. There are double the number of people trying to park on half the space, and a lot of my neighbours are chancing it on the double yellows. For example, on the occasions that I've not been able to park on the forecourt I've had to park ten minutes walk away because I was too late to get on it. That's not the issue, it's the £100 "fine", not a lack of parking. Essentially, if you don't have a guaranteed parking place (i.e. a garage that you're paying for) it's first come, first served. There's no dibs on a spot just because that's where you normally park.

(Deeply disappointed in MN that nobody has at least considered point c. Grin)

OP posts:
SD1978 · 29/03/2018 23:15

Can you write to the parking company and ask on what basis hey have issued the fine? If there is no parking attached to the other block, by deed, and you don’t need a permit, then on what basis did you park illegally? Asking them to clarify is more than reasonable and then you can contest. And if c) makes you happy, go for it.

bunbunny · 30/03/2018 01:14

Unfortunately I think the law has changed and you can now be charged for parking whereas you previously could get away with ignoring.

I would contact the landlords again to get them to confirm in writing exactly where you can and can't park while the resurfacing is taking place and any conditions or issues with using different spaces.

Depending on what they say, I would then call them (and follow up with an email) to say that if you are supposed to be able to park where you have been told, why on earth have you been given a parking fine? And that they need to sort it out...

redastherose · 30/03/2018 11:31

Brilliant diagram OP ⭐️

Take current pictures of car park and surround to show that there are no signs then ignore letter. If they escalate or you get anything in relation to court proceedings you have proof that they hadn't advised anyone that permission/permit was required to park there.

DragonMummy1418 · 30/03/2018 11:35

Definitely take photos of where you were parked as evidence of no signs!

Ignore the letter, it is 100% unenforceable.

Maybe contact dvla and demand to know why they are handing your address out to random strangers! (With no evidence of 'illegal' parking).

JacquesHammer · 30/03/2018 12:32

The advice to ignore letters is really poor and out of date.

You need to respond outlining what happened.

Bluelady · 30/03/2018 12:41

DVLA make money out of passing personal details on. I had this with station parking. I'd paid by phone. It went to debt collectors and solicitors to whom I kept sending the text showing I'd paid. Bloody Indigo kept telling them to pursue. I think the lovely solicitor I spoke to three times ended up telling them to stop wasting her time.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 30/03/2018 14:58

(Deeply disappointed in MN that nobody has at least considered point c. )

Maybe everyone assumed that this was a given? Wink

DragonMummy1418 · 30/03/2018 15:21

www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets/

This advice was updated in January.

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