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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A parking one...

53 replies

hula008 · 27/06/2018 08:05

Not really an AIBU but I know you all go mad for parking threads.

Recently moved in to a new build with 2 parking spaces. These are directly outside my house on land that I own, but are maintained by the management company. We are not allowed to make changes to the front of our building or our parking spaces as per our deeds without permission.

There's still houses being built next to use and will be for the next few years, so contractors going in regularly.

We are having real issues with contractors on site parking in our spaces, We have 2 cars and 2 spaces, and neither of us work 9-5 so it's affecting our ability to park on our land after work etc. If we worked 9-5 it wouldn't affect us as most of the contractors are gone by 4pm. Management have put up a sign and allegedly are telling contractors not to park there, but it's having no effect.

The contractors parking is further away from the site than our spaces so it's easier for them to park there.

Management are kind of shrugging their shoulders and asking us to let them know when people park in our spaces, but they're clearly not having an effect. I'm just calling them whenever someone parks in our space at the moment.

I'm at a loss of what to do, or suggest that the home builder does so I don't even have an AIBU.

OP posts:
Original poster
hula008 · 27/06/2018 09:01

We actually also live near the sales office so we're considering going in to speak to potential customers - we really aren't that bold though. The other option my partner had threatened is to park in front of the entrance to their building site but again that's a bit much for me!

The contractors use their personal cars - it's hard even for the site managers to find the person it belongs to. There can be up to 100 people on site at any one time!

OP posts:
CluedoAddict · 27/06/2018 09:06

You could buy your own clamp. I am sure word would get round quick enough.

Bibesia · 27/06/2018 09:09

Just put chains or bollards up. Too bad that you aren't allowed to, if the management company complains tell them they've left you with no choice.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/06/2018 09:14

I love your ideas. Talking to potential customers is great and blocking the site. If you block the site, a whole bunch of burly guys will probably turn up and lift the car to the side. Could be fun. But as you know, blocking the site is illegal and parking on your drive isn’t.

LemonBreeland · 27/06/2018 09:17

I wouldn't be paying management fees for them maintaining your spaces for a start. I think you need to be really bolshy when you speak to the management company. You have obviously been too nice so far. Make it clear you will not put up with it.

newmonthnewnameagain · 27/06/2018 09:18

The sales office could be a good way!
You don't have to speak to potential customers, but go in to the office when you know customers are in there, and ask the sales manager in a very loud voice what they're doing about the nightmare parking situation. Lay it on real thick!
Do this as many times as you need to, and then the sales manager will want to get it sorted as much as you do, and will be badgering the site manager to control it.

Nanny0gg · 27/06/2018 09:19

I hope you don't have to pay an annual service charge. If you do, I'd be withholding it until this is sorted.

Any of these firms on FB or Twitter?

callmeadoctor · 27/06/2018 09:23

I would insist that your management company let you put a metal parking post up. (If necessary it can be removed when the builders stop)?

Gentlygrowingoldermale · 27/06/2018 09:25

As suggested above, ask the management company to provide you with some temporary bollards (sort used for closing off motorway lanes) to ensure your parking spots are kept clear. It'll be a bit of faff morning and evening but could be worth it.

Hippee · 27/06/2018 09:26

On the last parking thread I read, there was an amazing woman (called FeistyOldBat) who had researched everything and worked out that she could put up a sign saying that there was a fee for parking. She then would photograph every car that parked on her drive and pay a fee to get their address from the DVLA and bill them - and they couldn't get out of paying.

julesmumoftwins · 27/06/2018 09:28

As a previous Sales Advisor for New Homes I would suggest that you go directly to the Site Manager and complain. If this does no good then ring the house builders regional office and ask to speak to, initially, the Contracts/Build Manager (Site Manager’s boss) and complain, if that does no good then speak to the Build Director (who should be at the same office). The Sales Advisor on Site has no say over the contractors so it’s pointless involving her. Hope this helps x

Firesuit · 27/06/2018 09:36

I hope you don't have to pay an annual service charge. If you do, I'd be withholding it until this is sorted.

On a leasehold property this would be a breach of the lease and could theoretically result in you losing your property without compensation. (Though it sounds likely that the OP is freehold.) I say "theoretically" because obviously it's unlikely to come to that, but there was a case of a lady in Brighton (I think) who failed to per her flat management charges, and eventually the freeholder repossessed her flat, and she lost the money she had paid for it.

Original poster
hula008 · 27/06/2018 09:46

We haven't yet been asked to pay a service charge to the maintenance company but we certainly will be ensuring there are No contractors parking in my spaces before I pay it. We are freehold, it's not a ground rent fee.

We have already been to the site manager! We have been asking how we can escalate this but they haven't given us this information yet.

OP posts:
LimboLuna · 27/06/2018 10:04

I lived on a new build site once, it was a nightmare. My favourite was when we came home and they had blocked the road off.... for a weekend no one could get in or out! So we ripped down their fence and held a bit of a revolt we even padlocked their toilet! We had had enough! Every day they would cause us some sort of issue and it went on and on. Funnily enough after we all caused that chaos they didn't do it again. Complaints fell on deaf ears, as you say theres too many contractors. I would ignore the "not allowed to do anything to your parking space" and get some bollards or chains put in. You need to make it obvious its not part of the building site anymore.

crispysausagerolls · 27/06/2018 10:09

OP you need to kick off. To everyone who will listen; and even to people who won’t. They are hoping to palm you off until the work is done and it stops being an issue, rather than go to any effort to address the issue.

SharkSave · 27/06/2018 10:17

@julesmumoftwins has the best idea. Ring head office and escalate. Don't wait for the info from the site manager because he won't share it because he should be sorting it for you

Samcro · 27/06/2018 10:24

find the site foreman and speak to him

c3pu · 27/06/2018 10:26

Let the air out of their tyres.

SlothMama · 27/06/2018 10:41

Personally I'd be leaving nails in the spaces whilst you aren't using it

babyboyHarrison · 27/06/2018 11:13

Are there any 'considerate contractors scheme' signs up , maybe check the contractors website to see if they are part of that scheme. If they are call them up too.

LimboLuna · 27/06/2018 11:49

They won't care, they have your money you are incidental to them, they are on to the next house to bring in money. I raised it with our builder, with the sales office, with the builders head office, it was only when we actually took action against the contractors that they stopped being twats. The contractors aren't employees of the builders, so actually really don't give a shit about you. They are being paid to build that house, not keep you sweet.

julesmumoftwins · 27/06/2018 11:52

Thank you @SharkSave!! I don’t think the OP has read my post!!!

Original poster
hula008 · 27/06/2018 13:20

Thanks Jules - your advice has proved great. They are going to station an assistant manager outside the parking spaces for as long as it takes for the parking to be sorted. Any contractor parking in residents spaces will be asked not to return to site :)

I'll post back in a few days for an update

OP posts:
Original poster
hula008 · 27/06/2018 13:23

This is really the only significant issue that we've had since moving, and they have been very good at moving people quickly. Living near the site has proved helpful because when we have any snagging issues they normally can pop round the same day to organise it.

OP posts:
heyduggeee · 27/06/2018 13:37

hula that's a great outcome. We also live on a very new, new build site, and having the exact same problem. Also when I'm in and the car is on the drive they often park across and block me in. Difficult with a 2 year old you can't go traipsing round the building site looking for who's van it is to come and move it!
The only solution we've had so far is the site manager gave us all a cone to put outside our driveways, stops the contractors parking on our drives. But hasn't stopped them parking on the road but blocking us in!