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What To Do About Illegal Parking?

  • 16-03-2010 2:52pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 11


    I have a private designated parking space in my apartment block's underground car park. A week ago someone parked in it and has been there since.

    I left a note on the car and on the building's notice board asking that it be removed, but to no avail.

    I called the building's clamping company (NCPS) but they no longer service the development. I notified the property management company and though they said they would deal with it they have not done anything yet. The development does not appear to have a current clamping contract.

    I spoke to the Gardai who checked the registration to confirm that the car was not stolen, but otherwise said that it was private property and as such a civil matter in which they could not interfere.

    What are my options for having this car removed and getting my parking space back?

    The car itself is NI registered, at least 10 years old, and has expired tax and insurance discs; Which could suggest abandonment, but other residents reported seeing it parked in other parking spaces before. Given that and the locked access to the cark park, it most likely belongs to someone in the building.

    All [lawful] suggestions welcome.


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    Get a trolley jack...stick it under the rear axle and pull the fecker out of your space into a neutral area or someone elses space....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,801 ✭✭✭✭Gary ITR


    opentux wrote: »
    I have a private designated parking space in my apartment block's underground car park. A week ago someone parked in it and has been there since.

    I left a note on the car and on the building's notice board asking that it be removed, but to no avail.

    I called the building's clamping company (NCPS) but they no longer service the development. I notified the property management company and though they said they would deal with it they have not done anything yet. The development does not appear to have a current clamping contract.

    I spoke to the Gardai who checked the registration to confirm that the car was not stolen, but otherwise said that it was private property and as such a civil matter in which they could not interfere.

    What are my options for having this car removed and getting my parking space back?

    The car itself is NI registered, at least 10 years old, and has expired tax and insurance discs; Which could suggest abandonment, but other residents reported seeing it parked in other parking spaces before. Given that and the locked access to the cark park, it most likely belongs to someone in the building.

    All [lawful] suggestions welcome.

    You seem to have explored all avenues, if the complex isn't too big you could copy your notice and do a mail drop. I had a similar issue myself and I eventually got the car clamped (which still doesn't help your situation), I didn't want to but I was paying €50 a week for my space and the car was there for 3 weeks.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,207 ✭✭✭longhalloween


    Ah Im sure theres some law that anything left on your property for a long period of time automatically becomes yours.
    Call the manufacturer and ask for a replacement set of keys, then sell it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,624 ✭✭✭Dancor


    Clamp it yourself then charge the swine to have it romoved.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,793 ✭✭✭John_Mc


    Well first off I would stop paying the €50 a week until you can actually use the space. The onus is on the person or company leasing the space to ensure that it's available to you. Demand that they do something about it.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,801 ✭✭✭✭Gary ITR


    John_Mc wrote: »
    Well first off I would stop paying the €50 a week until you can actually use the space. The onus is on the person or company leasing the space to ensure that it's available to you. Demand that they do something about it.

    That was me, not the OP. It was part of the standing order for my rent so couldn't exactly stop it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,523 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    find friend with jeep
    tow it out to road
    take plates off
    call council and say its abandoned


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,755 ✭✭✭ianobrien


    corktina wrote: »
    Get a trolley jack...stick it under the rear axle and pull the fecker out of your space into a neutral area or someone elses space....

    A slight variation of that - Drop it in the middle of the road, It won't be long before the owner is discovered then.....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,801 ✭✭✭✭Gary ITR


    Lads the OP asked for legal ways of getting out of this problem


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,523 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    Onkle wrote: »
    Lads the OP asked for legal ways of getting out of this problem
    find friend with jeep
    tow it out to road
    take plates off
    call council and say its abandoned

    first two steps only then.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,496 ✭✭✭Mr. Presentable


    The Management company have an obligation to provide a space - tell them to designate you another one until this is released. Call them every hour until they are sick of you if this is what it takes to get action. Clamping only means that if the owner does return, he won't be able to move the car.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,584 ✭✭✭PCPhoto


    OP.... as its on private grounds then your issue is with the owner of the parking space - they are not providing their contractual agreement...so its their problem and they need to get it sorted.

    its possible that this is a stolen vehicle being stored or someone with a nordy reg has decided to go on holidays and left their car with a friend, either way you have very little option but to wait until they go back to their car and give out to them.

    I would question why the management company have stopped the services of NCPS .... are they still charging the apartment owners for proper maintenance of the car park ? if so they are not fulfilling their agreement/obligations.

    you need to contact the owner of the apartment and get them to sort the matter out with the management company ASAP..... legally you cant clamp the car as there is no policy agreement visible (I assume NCPS took their signs with them)

    As much as I hate private clamping companies this is one occasion when they are needed, I had a similar problem before - after several notes left on the windscreen and reporting the matter to the management company and my landlord I spotted the guy parking and pulled him up on it - he got very aggressive, I eventually had to get my landlord to fax proof (copy of apartment deeds) that I was entitled to the parking space before he would move.... NO APOLOGY from management company or even from the idiot who robbed my space.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,027 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    double check the reg plates against the tax disc and insurance disc to make sure its not a stolen car with fake plates on it being stored up.

    other than that as above, ring the management company on the hour every hour, its the only way to get action or indeed buy a clamp, and put it on it with a sticker with your mobile number on it and a release fee of 120e :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,152 ✭✭✭✭Berty


    Onkle wrote: »
    Lads the OP asked for legal ways of getting out of this problem

    Yeah, but dragging it out, taking off the plates and ringing the council is hilarious. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 528 ✭✭✭dirtydiesel


    It would be a shame if someone accidentally spilled brake fluid on the bodywork!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 670 ✭✭✭Tail Wagger


    See if you can find out the owners details, send off for a replica key, drive it off and park in in the local river.

    I'm sure if you put the word out, someone with a bit of hot-jumping will drive it away and park it somewhere illegal, then it will be towed.

    Other option, phone local garage, tell them you've lost the keys, will they come and take it away for servicing, end of story they won't bring it back unless it's paid for.

    Other option is it smokeless/


  • Registered Users Posts: 612 ✭✭✭McSpud


    Given the ignorance of the owner & the fact its been there for several days now I would say all bets are off. If you can figure out some way to remove from your space go for it - even better if you get it our of the complex & onto the public street.

    Its strange that your complex does not have a clamping contractor as the yearly admin fee is probably no more than 1k.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11 opentux


    Thanks all. I guess the best option for now is to continue to pursue the management company. I might try the mail drop idea too.

    I would not be beyond the dragging/disappearing options at this point but the Gardai said I could be liable for any damage incurred while towing the car. It would be pretty obvious who was responsible too should the owner ever return.

    Where would I stand legally on clamping the car myself? The Garda as much as suggested this :cool:. But can I really just buy a clamp and throw it on, or do I need to incorporate myself as a registered parking service? The NCPS signs are still displayed in the car park.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84,052 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    There's no licensing or regulations regarding private clamping in this country, anyone can place a clamp on a car and impose any such release fee they wish, you could stick a fee of €1.6 million on it if you wanted. Ofcourse the owner could simply cut it off and there's nothing you could do either :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,537 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Get the permission of the management company to fit one of these to your space. Then close up your space for the day.

    http://www.shug.com.au/images/SHUG%20BOLLARD%20INSTALL%20008.jpg


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,168 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    I would be inclined to go with the trolley jack and move option here. stick it in a neutral space the owner probably wouldnt know the difference.

    What type of car is it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,760 ✭✭✭Theta


    listermint wrote: »
    I would be inclined to go with the trolley jack and move option here. stick it in a neutral space the owner probably wouldnt know the difference.

    What type of car is it?

    If its in gear this wont work. I always leave my car in gear I thought it was pretty standard. I have moved a car with a pallet truck before.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,168 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Theta wrote: »
    If its in gear this wont work. I always leave my car in gear I thought it was pretty standard. I have moved a car with a pallet truck before.

    As do I , However Ive found it more common than not that people do not leave it in gear. Il let the OP decide :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,760 ✭✭✭Theta


    listermint wrote: »
    As do I , However Ive found it more common than not that people do not leave it in gear. Il let the OP decide :D

    Fair enough. If it wasn't in gear id most likly move it to be honest with you or put it up on blocks and change them for there wheels when they cam back for them!


  • Registered Users Posts: 37 benzie


    by any chance will this be in cabinteely?


  • Registered Users Posts: 11 opentux


    benzie wrote: »
    by any chance will this be in cabinteely?
    No, it is not in Cabinteely.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,793 ✭✭✭✭Hagar


    Funny to see people advocating clampers, in most threads they are villified. :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Could it belong to a foreign bloke who has abandonded it and Ireland and gone home?

    Even without the trolley jack it'd be possible to pull it out of the space. Might take a bit of extra effort tho... :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,168 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    benzie wrote: »
    by any chance will this be in cabinteely?

    Is this your Car Benzie.... ...;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,168 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Hmmm

    148803_lg.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Johnboymac


    use two trolley jacks, one front and one at the rear.that way it doesn't matter about the car being in gear with handbrake on...and use a tow rop to save urself the effort of pushing.;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,760 ✭✭✭Theta


    Just slowly disassemble the car piece by piece moving it to another spot. see if you can reassemble the whole car before they come back to get it!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,100 ✭✭✭eightyfish


    That's really annoying. I remember a similar story on the radio once about people parking in someone's driveway near croke park. As far as I remember you are legally entitled to clamp a car parked on your property, or trap it in some way. Those people put up bollards, and charged the illegal parkers €100 to let them have their car back. Parkers called the Guards and Guards said they have to pay up. I know you don't have bollards, but maybe there's anorher way to trap it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,164 ✭✭✭hobochris


    I'd go with the trolly jack idea, If any of the management Company staff live in the building, I'd move it to their spot, see how they feel about it being in someone elses spot then.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    JHMEG wrote: »
    Could it belong to a foreign bloke who has abandonded it and Ireland and gone home?

    Even without the trolley jack it'd be possible to pull it out of the space. Might take a bit of extra effort tho... :)

    with about 4 fellers you could quite easily bump it out of the space, would take a couple of minutes only....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,677 ✭✭✭mondeo


    I would have lost patience by now and sold his wheels on ebay


  • Registered Users Posts: 11 opentux


    Well, the owner finally returned to remove his car (and then parked it illegally somewhere else)!

    The management company had not yet clamped the car and I did not meet the owner so I missed the opportunity to thank him for occupying my space these past two weeks. But all's well that ends well I suppose.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    report it to customs and excise.....revenge is sweet.


  • Moderators Posts: 12,390 ✭✭✭✭Black_Knight


    If no-one is clamping in your car park, cant you just park anywhere?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭elekid


    I have this same problem, there's been a KE reg car parked in my (rented) apartment's designated underground space for at least the last few days. I don't have a car myself and haven't checked the space in ages so it could have been there for months for all I know, but my brother is visiting on Friday and planning to stay the weekend so I need him to be able to park there. The car is covered in a layer of dust suggesting it hasn't been moved in ages, which seems a bit dodgy to me, though the tax and all that seems to be still valid.

    I've been in contact with the management company, they confirmed it's definitely my space and said they'll have no problem arranging for the car to be clamped but that doesn't really help free up the space. I left a note on it 2 days ago asking them to move it but I doubt anyone has even checked on the car to see it. Is there any point in me ringing the local garda station to see if it's been reported stolen or anything, or would that be jumping the gun? If it is some scumbag with a stolen car I'd be wary of taking any further action that could be traced back to me.

    Any advice?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,071 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    elekid wrote: »
    I have this same problem, there's been a KE reg car parked in my (rented) apartment's designated underground space for at least the last few days. I don't have a car myself and haven't checked the space in ages so it could have been there for months for all I know, but my brother is visiting on Friday and planning to stay the weekend so I need him to be able to park there. The car is covered in a layer of dust suggesting it hasn't been moved in ages, which seems a bit dodgy to me, though the tax and all that seems to be still valid.

    I've been in contact with the management company, they confirmed it's definitely my space and said they'll have no problem arranging for the car to be clamped but that doesn't really help free up the space. I left a note on it 2 days ago asking them to move it but I doubt anyone has even checked on the car to see it. Is there any point in me ringing the local garda station to see if it's been reported stolen or anything, or would that be jumping the gun? If it is some scumbag with a stolen car I'd be wary of taking any further action that could be traced back to me.

    Any advice?

    Don't contact the Gardaí, as they can't really help and if you call them there's a record, follow post # 2's advice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,310 ✭✭✭Pkiernan


    corktina wrote: »
    report it to customs and excise.....revenge is sweet.


    This is the BEST course of action suggested so far.

    The owner of the car is most likely resident here, and therefore this car is subject to seizure.

    Customs and Excise can enter private property and remove the car.

    Write them a detailed (anonymous if you wish) letter detailing how long the car has been there. Take photos also of the car in different spots.

    Send it all off to the Revenue.

    If you do this, then the problem will be solved. If you don't, then it will re-occur.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11 opentux


    Pkiernan wrote: »
    This is the BEST course of action suggested so far.

    The owner of the car is most likely resident here, and therefore this car is subject to seizure.

    Customs and Excise can enter private property and remove the car.

    Write them a detailed (anonymous if you wish) letter detailing how long the car has been there. Take photos also of the car in different spots.

    Send it all off to the Revenue.

    If you do this, then the problem will be solved. If you don't, then it will re-occur.
    I doubt he will be parking in my space again, the management company told me they had left warnings and stickers on his car until he moved it. But I agree it is a wickedly devious idea. ;)

    elekid, your management company is probably your best chance of success. As was suggested to me, perhaps try asking them for an alternative space until yours can be freed.


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