Residential blocks usually have well-enforced rules and regulations governing who can park where. If you are unsure about visitor parking, or end up with a parking ticket, what should you do? Here we explain all you need to know about residential block parking, from parking permits to visitor spaces and parking enforcement.
Residential parking spaces
In a residential block, parking spaces usually come with the property and it’s unusual to be allocated more than one space per apartment. Parking spaces are normally legally allocated and should therefore not be used by others. So don’t park in, or allow your visitors to park in, your neighbour’s bay.
Parking a second vehicle onsite is not usually possible.
Visitor spaces
Visitors’ spaces are intended for use by genuine visitors and agents for the Management Company (such as cleaners, contractors and property consultants). They are not to be used to park second vehicles. Similarly, you should direct any visitors to park considerately.
Parking permits
Sometimes parking is permit-only. Where permits have been issued they must be displayed to be clearly visible by a parking officer. If they can’t see it you will get a ticket! Even if you genuinely have a permit and simply forgot to display it, you will be in breach of the rules, so will be liable to pay the fine. Unfortunately, the block management company is normally powerless to challenge or cancel any fine issued by the parking enforcement company, except in the unlikely event that non-compliance with contract can be demonstrated.
Access and turning
Access roads and turning areas must be kept clear at all times (where applicable) for access by emergency vehicles and refuse lorries. Blocking these areas by parking your vehicle in an unauthorised spot is inconsiderate and will lead to a fine – so make sure your visitors understand that they can’t park here.
Parking enforcement
Nobody likes getting a ticket, but parking enforcement is a system designed to help you. It means your parking space is protected from being used by others; your neighbours, any visitors and just plain old members of the public can’t take your space without consequences.
The introduction of parking enforcement is a helpful tool but not to be taken lightly, because it applies to everyone; there can’t be one rule for you and another for everyone else. Parking tickets are either issued to all flouting the rules, or not at all.
Who is responsible for parking issues in a residential block?
Responsibilities are divided between the block management company, the parking enforcement company and those who park in the spaces.
The property management company can instigate a parking enforcement company to patrol, so that each night when you drive home tired from work you should be able to drive straight into your space and get on with enjoying your evening.
Where possible, we can also work with surveyors and contractors to make additional parking spaces available where space allows. We can arrange for spaces to be lined or marked, and “no parking” areas to be lined, so that everyone knows where and where not to park.
But we can only manage the spaces that were made available. So if you have an additional vehicle, you must make adequate provisions if you have bought a flat with just one space allocated.
If you are unsure about any of the rules about parking in your block, check the terms of your lease.