Help.... Someone's parked in my garage...

[Petrus1983]

Ok, so I've seemingly got an annoying situation. I have a property that I rent out WITHOUT the use of the garage (as stipulated in the contracts). Last year I noticed that the garage was indeed being used and I told them that it must be cleared. After lots of sob stories I allowed it to be used until Christmas, and I have lots of txts confirming that would be the end of it. Now, 2 days before I have a car being delivered to the garage, I've found out her car is still in there and she's refusing to remove it. Where do I stand??

[MitchT]

Just put the rent up and let them use it! Charge them the same as it'd cost you to rent a conveniently located garage for your own vehicle.

[spikey78]

Go round this evening when they're in and get them to shift it. Secure garage with new lock. Job done, no?

[MKnight702]

Judging from most threads on here, up a creek without a paddle.

The Police won't be interested in a civil matter, getting any action taken will be expensive and time consuming and probably pretty inneffective.

How about parking behind the garage, then when the occupant complains that they need their car out go round and move the car then immediately park in the garage when its vacant?

[Petrus1983]

Increasing the rent isn't an option as getting her to pay the rent she's meant to pay in the first place is hard enough! Attached is a picture of the setup - I can't park infront of the garage as then I'll be given tickets. Waiting for her to foxtrot oscar and changing the locks might be an idea

[Retroman]

How did they obtain use of the garage in the first place?
Did they force entry?

If so, i'd just tow their car out. If they threaten action for doing that you can counter that with a threat of taking further action for breaking and entering.

[OutOfSync]

The other option is to lock her car in there and count the seconds before she agrees to move it.

[MKnight702]

If you can't park in front of the garage, secure it another way, using a door defender or similar.

As soon as she needs her car out get round and put yours in.

[Petrus1983]

Retroman said:

How did they obtain use of the garage in the first place?
Did they force entry?

If so, i'd just tow their car out. If they threaten action for doing that you can counter that with a threat of taking further action for breaking and entering.

The fuse box is in the garage, so foolishly I agreed not to lock it incase there was ever need to access it. They were never given permission to enter the garage if that makes any difference?

[Tyre Tread]

Get a locksmith to change the lock and lock her car in there. When she wants her car out agree providing she pays the locksmith charge or you will increase the rent to cover the additional usage and backdate it to when you can prove she was using it.

If she refuses to pay either then begin action to have her removed for non payment of rent.

[ZOLLAR]

Petrus1983 said:

Increasing the rent isn't an option as getting her to pay the rent she's meant to pay in the first place is hard enough! Attached is a picture of the setup - I can't park infront of the garage as then I'll be given tickets. Waiting for her to foxtrot oscar and changing the locks might be an idea

I think your long term goal should be removing her from the tenancy!

[Hooli]

ZOLLAR said:

Petrus1983 said:

Increasing the rent isn't an option as getting her to pay the rent she's meant to pay in the first place is hard enough! Attached is a picture of the setup - I can't park infront of the garage as then I'll be given tickets. Waiting for her to foxtrot oscar and changing the locks might be an idea

I think your long term goal should be removing her from the tenancy!

Upgrade the tenant.

[Petrus1983]

Thankfully new tenant 1st July - so worst case is that - but then my car will be homeless, and isn't taxed/MOTD etc so parking options are limited, especially as it's a convertible with very leaky roof!.

[OutOfSync]

The most important question here, which we all seem to have forgotten, is what is your new car?!

[Tyre Tread]

OutOfSync said:

The most important question here, which we all seem to have forgotten, is what is your new car?!

I don't think so.

THE most important question is: Is she fit- Pics!

[Petrus1983]

OutOfSync said:

The most important question here, which we all seem to have forgotten, is what is your new car?!

Not new, but something I keep meaning to getting around to properly sorting one day. It doesn't get many PH 'cool points' but I like it. When I was in LA I found the 1960's peddle car equivalent too for my son

[Motorrad]

Is there enough room to get some trolley jacks in there and just push it out?

If so do that, put your car in place and change the locks.

If you're feeling kind let the tenant know after you've done the deed.

If not leave it parked somewhere illegal.

[Palmers]

Id start with asking her to remove it nicely, then getting assertive. This is MY property, MY garage that YOU do not have access too in the CONTRACT. If she refuses, accept and walk away.

Wait for her to go out and change the locks on the garage. Apply a smug face.

[Rangeroverover]

If the garage is not part of the AST and is specifically excluded, inform the tenant and the DPS that the cost of removal of tenants car will be deducted from their deposit.

[Foliage]

Go into her house while she is in, help yourself to food from her fridge and watch her telly, should be good for a laugh.