It also covers a practical point: if you run a maintenance or lettings vehicle yourself, your own van or car needs the same care as any working vehicle.
Common tyre situations in managed properties
- A tenant's car has a flat in the communal car park and is blocking a bay or an access route.
- A visitor or contractor's vehicle is stuck on private land.
- A maintenance van used by your team has a puncture on the way to a job.
- A vehicle appears to have been abandoned with flat tyres. Remember that you cannot simply remove or deal with someone else's vehicle without following the proper legal steps.
- A garage or parking space is being cleared and a vehicle needs to be made mobile.
What you can and cannot do
You may not have the right to touch a tenant's vehicle. A tyre repair or replacement on someone else's car needs the owner's consent and arrangement, and the owner normally pays. The property manager can help by passing on information, allowing access and giving the technician somewhere safe to work. Check your tenancy terms, parking rules and local regulations for the details, and take legal advice if it is a dispute.
How a mobile technician helps
Mobile fitters can come to the car park, so the owner does not need to move a dangerous car. If the tyre is repairable, it can often be fixed on site. If not, a new tyre is fitted. See mobile tyre fitting, emergency tyre fitting and puncture repair. For background, read flat tyre in a car park and flat tyre at home.
Access and safety on your site
When a technician attends, they need a safe working area. Think about:
- Access: gates, barriers, entry codes and height limits.
- Space: room to open doors and reach the wheel.
- Lighting: poorly lit underground car parks may be a problem after dark.
- Traffic: whether the area needs to be coned off or other cars moved.
- Permission: make sure the property owner or managing agent allows the work.
Your own maintenance vehicles
If your team uses a van or car to visit properties, keep tyres in good order. Check pressure weekly, record each tyre change and replace worn ones early. See small business van tyres and van tyres. If you manage a number of vehicles, our fleet tyre service may fit.
Multi-site portfolios
If you look after several sites, keep a list of contacts, site access details and parking arrangements, so that you can pass them quickly to a technician. A short note with the address, the contact name on site and the location of the vehicle saves a lot of time. We cover many areas, including London, Manchester, Reading and Croydon; see the areas list.
Helping a tenant in trouble
Tenants with a flat tyre often just need to know who to call. Keep the number handy, and make it clear that the tenant arranges and pays for work on their own car. Call now for a quote on 0800 772 0355 or book now.
Blocked bays, fire routes and safety
A flat tyre in a communal area can quickly turn into a safety issue if the car sits across a fire access route, a disabled bay or a shared entrance. A technician working on site needs the area made safe, so cones or a temporary arrangement for other residents may be needed. If you manage an estate, a short procedure helps: who the contact is, where technicians can work and how residents are told. Avoid moving a car with a flat tyre by dragging it, as this damages the wheel and surface and may break the owner's rights to compensation.
Garages, lock-ups and empty properties
When properties are being cleared, a vehicle left behind can be a problem. Do not assume you can dispose of it; the owner may be traceable. If a landlord is asked to help a former tenant move a vehicle, the owner can usually arrange a mobile technician to make the car mobile, which is often quicker than recovery. Always get the owner's agreement in writing where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I arrange tyre repair for a tenant's car?
The owner should arrange it and give consent. You can help with access.
Can you work in a private car park?
Yes where it is safe and permitted. Check access and permission first.
What about abandoned vehicles?
There are legal steps to follow. Do not remove or repair a vehicle without the right authority.
Do you help with maintenance vans?
Yes. Call now for a quote on 0800 772 0355.
Related Help
Need help with your tyres now?
Call now for a quote, or book now online. Phone 0800 772 0355.