Gate for apartment complex

A

Annakay

Registered User
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We are a small complex and thinking of investing in a gate.
We are completely open at the moment and have multiple cars parking in our spaces from neighbouring houses.
Can anyone advise on what kind of gate or give any general advice.
We have already been told that it is a bad idea due to people damaging gates and therefor incurring extra expense for the company.
 
Maybe get onto one of the car clamping companies. I don't know how they operate but if they see a car without a permit, they would clamp it and presumably keep the money for themselves. The downside is that genuine visitors would need a guest's permit or they might get clamped.
 
My place is privately managed but not gated and a few years ago, when the place was becoming a park and ride for some commuters, the management company engaged APCOA to clamp vehicles parked without permit and the problem has since been largely eliminated.
 
If ye can afford it, I would certainly advise to go ahead with the gate.
Make sure that all members are on board and willing to pay seperately from the Managment charge.
The issues you mention will of course occur,
but will be made up for in the extra security and convenience.
Also it will definitely add value to all the properties.
 
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Gates do not work where people are determined to get in.

They provide a deterrent but these determined individuals/intruders tailgate legitimate drivers and are happy to do so when leaving knowing there may be a wait.

For my money the APCOA solution seems the cheapest finest cigar. With a permit sticker on windshield.
 
You probably need planning for the gate, and certainly in Dublin gated communities are not encouraged.

Take a look here

Of course you could beg for forgiveness later but you could be made remove it..
 
We had gates in a small complex (15 apartments), I would prefer to be with them than without, as others have said they won’t keep somebody determined out but are a good deterrent and make it feel a little after for children.

The on-going costs are higher than you’d think because they’re opening and closing so many times a day. There’s also the admin overhead of managing fobs.

You’ll also need to factor in the costs of an electrified pedestrian gate, without one it feels a little pointless doing anything - if illegal parking is the only purpose then a clamping company would be a simpler bet, even as a trial.
 
How about a pole into the ground with a Padlock ? Give everyone a key which is relatively cheap. Even if people don't always put it back when finished they'll soon learn they may need to get out at some point. I presume you have the place littered with Private Parking signs ?
 
Thank you all so much for your advice. It is greatly appreciated.
I'm sorry I am only seeing your replies now.

It looks like the maintenance costs of the gate along with the fob issues would not be worth it.
Clamping would be the best solution it seems. It is really a parking issue as the area is quite safe, thankfully.
The idea of the pole and padlock is also a good one.
Very helpful. Thanks again.
 
ClubMan said:
the management company engaged APCOA to clamp vehicles parked without permit and the problem has since been largely eliminated.
Click to expand...
The are vipers.

My disc slipped down the windscreen one day and was 3/4 visible with all the particulars on show to know the car had a right to be there (they were in operation a couple of years, same car etc)

They clamped me in my spot and they wouldn't budge on it after all the complaints and appeals.

I have never felt fury like it!!!!
 
elcato said:
How about a pole into the ground with a Padlock ?
Click to expand...
It doesn't work. We had that system in a office that I operated out of. People actually find getting out of their car all the time a nuisance and stop using it, making the whole thing pointless.

And it's not much of a deterrent for determined free loaders. They will park right up to the pole, leaving their car sticking out. On another occasion, a car owner just rammed the pole, they fall down pretty easily with no damage to the car.
 
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