Change of allocated parking space/leasehold

[PlumPeony]

I'm in a process of buying a leasehold flat. The parking space that is allocated is not great but there are a lot of visitor spaces. My goal is to exchange & complete asap so not sure what's best course of action. Shall I raise it now and ask if it can be changed (and/or the issue tackled) , or after I've moved in (and park in the visitors space until resolved). Anyone come across similar?

What's actually 'wrong' with the allocated parking space?

Is the actual parking space specified in the lease or does it just give you the 'right' to use a space?

Yeah it does depend on what's wrong. If (for example) you have a disability and the positioning/size of the currently allocated space is difficult for you then I suspect it'll be easier to negotiate use of the preferred space. But if it's a dealbreaker then I wouldn't move forward with the purchase until you know if they you will be able to have the space you want/need.

If it’s a deal breaker then you need to deal with it in advance but I think it’s unlikely you will be able to switch the space.
I do know someone that regularly parked in the visitor spot instead of their own allocated one, the management company came down hard.

No disability. Parking spot is allocated spot. I wouldn't park there because it's under trees/ bird poop (fact, not assumption). In my view, they should trims the trees, surely some kind of h&s issue.

No, bird poo isn't a health and safety issue (it's hilarious that you think that) nor are trees. And if you want the trees trimming, not only will you need the majority of owners to agree with you (or the management company on their behalf), they will also need to be willing to pay for it (which many won't - or can't given the current CoL crisis).

I'm already wondering if flat living is for you to be honest.

I sympathise to a certain extent. But I that's where the allocated space is, there's not much you can do about it.

Either park elsewhere or buy a cover for your car.

I dont think it's just as easy as swapping bays. The flat i lived in had allocated parking but it was all laid out in the title deeds of the flat which one it was.

I'd check all that out before buying.

And if you're going to tie up a visitors bay all the time because you don't like your own bay you can probably expect to piss off your neighbours

Ah right, I doubt you'll get anywhere with that tbh. And they will almost certainly take issue with you parking in the visitors bay so don't assume you can swap the spaces by stealth.

My most recent experience of flats with visitor parking is that it's a bloody free for all anyway. We would regularly get home and find people in our space because they CBA walking an extra 30 feet.

So it might not be as much as a problem as you think.

I was also under a tree. Not much bird shit but sticky sap type stuff from the tree on the windscreen all the time. Drove the OH mad.

No chance. It would mean all the other flats shuffling around.

My DP and I live in flats. Each flat has its own allocated parking space and there are a few visitor bays.
However, no one tends to park in their allocated space and most of the surrounding houses have more than one car so it's park where you can.

And yes, we also try to avoid parking near the trees.

Get a cover?

The parking space will be attached to the flat you are buying on the deeds. You can't just swap it.
That would be like buying a house and saying you prefer the garden at no. 11, two doors up - you'll have that one instead!

you can't swap the space. trees are good for the environment and don't need to be cut back.

get a cover for your car or put up with it.

Yes I don't think you'll get anywhere with that. If the parking space is a deal breaker then don't buy the flat.

Lol. Do you think there is someone else out there who is just dying to get their car covered in bird shit and will jump at the chance to swap spaces with you 😀

Get a cover, take your car to the car wash every now and again, or buy a different flat.

It's always best to pose any outstanding questions to your solicitor, however big or small they may be. That's what they are there for.
If you don't get the answer you were hoping for, at least you tried. I understand you are keen to wrap this transaction up as soon as possible, however it'd be in your best interest to ask burning questions prior to exchange for your peace of mind, especially if the outcome means that paperwork needs to be amended as a consequence. Good luck :)

I can't imagine this would be anything other than a long, drawn out process. Presumably the change would have to be agreed by the freeholder, which could be a company (who I imagine would charge a ridiculous fee) or it could be a residents' committee, in which case you might have to wait for the next meeting, which could be months away.

If I were you I would just keep the allocated space and park away from the tree at all possible times. You might even like the tree - it'll shade the car in the summer. Bird poo isn't really a big deal is it?