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Original poster

What would you offer for someone's parking space...

37 replies

huntinthehornybacktoad · 14/05/2020 15:48

ok so there's very little chance of this coming off but indulge me!

We have a shared yard with allocated parking places, beyond two of which I have a private garden.
My neighbour and friend is selling up for £285k. It so happens that her parking space slightly interferes with the right of access to my garden. I've never had a problem with her parking but I did with her two predecessors. I'm sooo not looking forward to having a new neighbour.
I would so love to buy the space from her!
If you were selling a property for £285k with off-road parking, what would be the equivalent price without do you think?

PS between us she and I control the freehold so landlord consent isn't an issue.

OP posts:
bestbefore · 14/05/2020 15:52

If she sold the space would it mean no off road parking for her old house at all?

Burpalot · 14/05/2020 15:55

It would make it so much harder to sell this time and in the future. But I don't know what impact that would have on £££. If there are equivalent homes with spaces, why would they buy that one? Twenty per cent cheaper? Not sure.

LochJessMonster · 14/05/2020 16:10

Personally having designated parking is a massive plus when buying/selling a house so could affect the price a great deal more then you would like.

My personal opinion, going on the very limited details about the house, I would say you are looking into the tens of thousands.

xcess2184 · 14/05/2020 16:28

I'm not sure any offer is worthwhile for your neighbour. Private parking is a massive feature for selling a house and plenty won't consider buying a house without it.

I've got a new build reserved and moving to a slightly less desirable area so I can afford a house with a drive. Today I nipped out for two minutes and in that time a neighbour parked in 'my' spot on the street in front of my house. It really grates on me to the point I know I'm being irrational!

Original poster
huntinthehornybacktoad · 14/05/2020 16:42

Wow!

It's a 3-bed flat btw.

I know this is fantasy but it's really interesting to get your thoughts.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 14/05/2020 16:43

Can't you swap spaces so yours is the one interfering with your access?

Tuemay · 14/05/2020 16:44

Is it only 1 space she has and you want to buy it?

Original poster
huntinthehornybacktoad · 14/05/2020 16:45

Teumay - yes, so the buyer would have the park on the road round the front.

OP posts:
Thisismytimetoshine · 14/05/2020 16:47

It would massively impact in both price and saleability. A smaller offer to swap spaces should be agreeable to her, I'd think?

Original poster
huntinthehornybacktoad · 14/05/2020 16:48

funnily enough Soup, both spaces interfered with access but in slightly different ways.

She was kind enough to swap with me a few years ago. When the spaces were the other way round it was even worse!

The issue is that technically I'll have a right of way along the edge of what-is-now-her-space. Of course, a driver coming in to park at night may not always leave that space open though... very understandable and hard for them to monitor.

OP posts:
Original poster
huntinthehornybacktoad · 14/05/2020 16:49

Sounds like I'd be better off finding a stray £285k in my back pocket and buying the flat! :)

It's not going to happen is it?

I value her friendship too much to make an offer that wouldn't represent fair value. We've been through a lot together....

OP posts:
Myimaginarycathasfleas · 14/05/2020 17:10

She'll need to talk to her estate agent about the impact on value. If the flat is being sold as a rental it might not matter that there is no parking. It depends on what other properties have to offer and how awkward parking is in the area. My gut feeling is that removing it will put people off and anyway she might not want the hassle of two transactions.

One option you might suggest is buying the space from her and then separate from the sale offering it to the new owners for a small rent.

You could then stipulate how it's used and they have a parking space for as long as you are happy for the arrangement to continue.

Bojohair · 14/05/2020 17:13

At least 10k I would have thought?

ChocoTrio · 14/05/2020 17:45

I agree that it would impact both price and saleability - if I was your neighbour I would need a massive incentive to agree to your request. See if she is accommodating though? Sounds like you have a good rapport atm.

Clymene · 14/05/2020 17:47

When you say access to your garden, do you mean with a vehicle?

RhymesWithOrange · 14/05/2020 17:50

We need a diagram. Sorry, it's the rules.

damnthatanxiety · 14/05/2020 17:59

diagram needed!

MinnieMountain · 14/05/2020 18:47

But the flats are leasehold presumably. Are the spaces exclusive right to use or within the description of the flat?

tentative3 · 14/05/2020 18:53

I wouldn't ask unless you're prepared to pay a huge amount. I think it will strain your friendship.

SouthWestmom · 14/05/2020 18:56

Did you swap legally? If she sells it surely the new person will realise that's their space?

Purpleartichoke · 14/05/2020 18:57

Given that she would then be selling a home with no parking, at least 100k

Original poster
huntinthehornybacktoad · 14/05/2020 19:04

yes we swapped legally (changed all the leases).

£100k!! It's not bloody London! :)

If the consensus was that it would be ethical to offer £10k I would offer it. But if the consensus is that that wouldn't be ethical then I guess it's a non-starter. I'd rather have a clean friendship than clean garden access iyswim.

OP posts:
Original poster
huntinthehornybacktoad · 14/05/2020 19:05

mind you to be fair this isn't like some other situations we've faced together. This is just money and she has a good family behind her who are clued up and would advise.

OP posts:
Thisismytimetoshine · 14/05/2020 19:06

I'm not sure how "ethical" comes into it? It's an offer she can refuse, you're not trying to con her.

midwestsummer · 14/05/2020 19:09

It isn't about ethics so much as salability.
A flat with out parking is going to appeal to a much smaller number of people.
Because even if you don't drive you are going to know that selling on without parking would be difficult.
There is no harm in talking to her but she would be nuts to consider it.