parking in private parking bay

[bond]

Hi, our blocks of flats have allocated private parking bays strictly for residents use only (and are clearly signposted so), however I have noticed some non-residents using them more frequently. Is there anything we can do to prevent this? Are we legally allowed to clamp them for example? We pay for the upkeep of the bays (lighting/hedging etc) in service charges, so why should they get away with this? Thanks.

[Ethel]

Yes you can - if you put a sign up clearly stating that vehicles will be clamped.

Contact the people you pay the charges to. See if they have any solutions.

[WendyS]

As a temporary deterrent, can you print out some notices to stick under the windscreens of the offending vehicles reminding them that the parking bays are for residents only, and that if they persist a company will be employed to clamp offenders?
If the residents can get together, I guess there is nothing stopping you from parking your vehicles immediately behind/in front of them and blocking them in, which would be very inconvenient when they just need to leave for work, etc. Maybe if this happened a few times they would get the message and stop parking there.

[joko]

put a thick chain across the entrance with a padlock on it, that only residents have the keys to.

or just put a chain with a clasp on with a big red sign on it.

they will have to unhook the chain on entering and exiting, but you may find you only need for a while until the locals get the idea.

most people will not remove the chain and drive in unless they are entitled to.

[joko]

you could also install a bollard, like the traffic ones that can be driven over, and will fling back up - this will deter people

[jackthehat]

Contact a local clamping/towaway company. They will be only too happy to put up signs and commence clamping/removal. All you have to do is alert them with a telephone call and they'll be round lickety-split to clamp/remove offending car.

[dukas68]

Hopefull your not in Scotland where clamping is illegal......