Here at Flatchat Mansions, we’re sure that if you counted up the number of times different subjects were raised, parking would be numero uno. We’re not going check those figures because we’re too busy defending ordinary apartment dwellers against … well, quite often it’s themselves, really.
QUESTION: I am enclosing my double carspot which is 4.2m high and creating a loft storage. I have used 50 x 75 weldmesh on the sides, however my new neighbour cannot open their car door all the way out and is not happy. Do you think they have any recourse to make me pull it down later on? I have placed the mesh 2 inches inside the yellow line on the floor towards my side of the carport and there seems to be plenty of room to open their door.
Stan.
ANSWER: Stan, at least you’re trying to do the right thing, which is more than many people who’ve enclosed their car spaces even consider. And I reckon the whole issue of turning car spaces into storage encapsulates what living in strata is about.
If everybody in an apartment block had an “I own this bit of concrete so nyah-nyah sucks to you if you can’t open your car door” point of view, there would be chaos. In fact, some people have … and there is.
That’s what happens when people (not you, Stan) forget that they are living as part of a community. And let’s face it, maybe it’s your neighbour who’s being unreasonable. If they’re having trouble opening their door because they bought a Hummer, well screw ‘em, I say.
To answer your specific question, if you have your Executive Committee’s or Owners Corporation’s permission, your neighbour will have to take you (and them) to the Office of Fair Trading to get this changed. If you don’t have permission, the guy next door could complain, the EC could take their side and the only thing you’ll be storing is your weldmesh.