Renting an apartment in a private housing estate. Can they legally clamp my car?

I am renting an appartment in a private housing estate. There is a large car park out front which i have to cross to get to the apartment.

We originally asked the landlord about parking as we have two cars and he said it was unrestricted. There are no numbered spaces and ample parking.

We pay rent and the landlord pays the management fees. However, yesterday i came home to find a notice in my door saying i have to apply for parking permits. There are no permits on the other cars and no signs anywhere. Not even a sign to say private parking.

The notice says that you have to own the property to avail of the permit.

Also it says that it cannot be pro rated and we must purchase one for the year ending dec. 2008. If not our car will be clamped between 8am - 10pm.

The landlord told us to ignore it? There is a na

me on the notice but no sign up to say this company owns the parking lot.

It could be a scam in which case i do not want to give them my CC/laser details as required on the notice.

Re: Can they legally clamp my car?

Who are the managing agents for the block and can you confirm with them the validity or otherwise of the notice?

What does your lease say about parking / parking spaces?

Re: Can they legally clamp my car?

Just did - i finally got hold of them on their mobile number.

Yes - apparently they are acting on complaints from residents who cannot find parking as non residents are parking there. I can not see why as it is not close to anywhere or convenient to anything other than the appartments. If we want visitor permits we also have to purchase them. I asked if the apartments originally came with parking spaces - he told me to call my landlord. Our lease says nothing about parking although i did ask - lesson learned GET IT IN WRITING.

He also said they will pro rate it although the notice clearly states they will not.