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Our parking area is secure, with the unit number clearly marked on each space. We don't own a vehicle, so it is great to be able to offer our visitors a convenient, safe place to park when they come for dinner or to stay overnight.
Frequently however when I try to give a visitor our space I discover that it is already taken by another vehicle – I guess neighbours notice that our space is often vacant and that we won't know or care.
We have on-site after-hours security, but they seem unable to help – they just tell us to report it to the building manager (and in one case I caught one of the security guards using the space! He is however no longer on duty in our building so I can't blame him any more.)
I've looked at various options to deter this behavior, but it is rarely the same vehicle offending twice. Suggestions that I've come across vary from leaving notes on the vehicle (which I usually do) to dumping garbage over the windscreen, letting down tyres and other vandalism. I don't want to resort to this for two reasons; (1) it's really not my style and (2) they know whose space they are using!
Best solution that I have come up with so far is to photograph the offending vehicle and tape a note inside the lift with the picture of the car, its number plates clear on the picture, stating that if this is your vehicle you are parked illegally and you need to move it now. This often seems to have a quick result.
I'd love to have them towed or clamped, but I doubt this is legal (I live in Waterloo NSW, in the City of Sydney council area)
I have no way of knowing who owns the vehicles, rarely is it the same one twice, and I don't really feel like camping out in a smelly and damp car park to see who they are. I'm actually a little surprised and annoyed at myself for letting this become such an issue with me!
Thanks for listening to my rant, any suggestions would be gratefully taken on board.
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The simplest answer is to Google “pop-up bollards” and look at the options for securing your space when it's not in use. The cheapest effective option is a metal frame or post that folds up and padlocks in place when your space isn't being used. You will pay probably between $100 and $200 depending on how sophisticated it is.
You will need EC approval as the bollard has to be bolted to the floor. Why should you pay your own money for this? Because you can then forget all about it and get on with enjoying your apartment.
JimmyT
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
BadgerBoi said:
JimmyT said:
The simplest answer is to Google “pop-up bollards” and look at the options for securing your space when it's not in use.
Brilliant – don't know why I didn't think of that myself.
Just for the hell of it I might try one that I can raise while the offender is sitting in the space so he can't move his car until I'm ready to let him go
. thanks JimmyT
We had a similar problem and handled it in two ways.
Firstly, most owners installed a lift-up / fold-down lockable bollard.
Secondly, we created and registered a Special By Law that amongst other things stated that each Proprietor / Resident must use the numbered parking space that forms part of their Lot, AND that if they didn't AND they ignored a politely worded reminder from the Owners Corporation, then they would receive a parking fee not exceeding $500/day or part thereof.
Yes… $500; so we wouldn't have to amend the Special By-Law every time we wanted to increase the amount – the current Fee $25.
The Special By-Law makes the Proprietor of the Lot responsible in circumstances where a Resident (tenant) or their Visitor does not pay the Fee.
The whole thing has been tested once before the CTTT when one Resident refused to pay our Fee and the Proprietor ignored the Owners Corp's Invoices, and after some affirmative advice to our Proprietor from the CTTT's mediator, we won the day!
Over the 3 years that this Special By-Law has been in place, the Owners Corp has issued around 60 reminders, and there have been only 2 Fees issued; both paid.
So it works and it's legal so long as it's not a Parking FINE!
Both options are good – the pop-up bollard probably only needs EC approval but the non-fine parking fee will still need a by-law which will need 75 percent support at a general meeting.
I'd go the line of least resistance, at least to begin with.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
Post-Script to this.
I had new-year's eve chat with one of the friendly security guards in my building. It seems the woman in the apartment next to ours informed him that we had granted her permission to use our parking space whenever she wanted it because we rarely use it – so a number of the vehicles turn out to have belonged to her visitors. Our guard thought he was congratulating us on being good (if a bit stupid!) neighbours – he is now less than impressed with her for lying to him.
Actually, “less than impressed” is a major understatement. I wouldn't care to be on the wrong side of him – he's a lovely, friendly and smiley chap, but he's rather large and I've seen him deal with kids who he caught in the wrong place at the wrong time…they moved on pretty promptly and haven't been seen in the precinct again
Hi All.
Happy New Year!
Have you thought of maybe finding someone in your building who might like to rent a parking space temporarily? Perhaps you could come to an agreement when you have visitors you could use your space and they could park on the streeet? That way you can have some extra cash in your pocket and also use your visitors space when needed? Signs are easy to post and change and should not interfear too
much with strata bylaws.
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