Neighbour reported my cousin’s car as abandoned

Well I believe you @M2BANTRIM even if others don't. I'm from the county you live in. I absolutely believe that your neighbour will have made comments about homeownership with racist undertones etc. And to those not believing the council's attendance here, just because the councils in England may not respond so quickly, this is a council in NI, and they are run differently.

@M2BANTRIM you can email in a Subject Access Request, asking for all information on the complaint received. They will redact out your neighbour's the complainant's details, however, there will likely be enough information to read between the lines for you to know it was her. I've done similar as my neighbour reported me to the council, funnily enough because of his xenophobia against Northern Irish people 😂

It sadly takes a long time for things to change in NI, but we're getting there albeit slowly!

But if it's parked in OPs private space what on earth does it have to do with the neighbour? And why would she go straight to reporting it rather than knocking on the OPs door to ask or check if it was abandoned. It makes no sense why she would do that.

Do you generally have a problem accepting that racism exists?

I'd report her, but what for? Harassment?
Can't stand the sound of your neighbour, she's like a Mrs Bucket carrcature? My parent had a busy body neighbour that verged on harassment.

@bergamotorange I haven't said OPs neighbour isn't racist, OP said the car was parked outside her house and the neighbour didn't know it was her cousins car... so actually there is nothing in that at all to suggest the neighbour did a racially motivated report, because she didn't even no who the car belonged to. OP has now added in that it was an allocated space, and then it was on her property once this was pointed it.

I don't doubt OP has a racist neighbour, but she doesn't know who reported this car. Nethermind how unlikely it is that the council would show up within 2 working days to a taxed and MOTd car legally parked on private property.

It’s the comments about your husband that make the difference for me. We who look white, whatever our heritage, have very little idea of the wearying, mean comments, attitudes and downright antipathy that those with darker skins have to deal with each day. Yes, report it and make sure you let them know what this neighbour said about your husband, when it was said and in what context.

I wonder if the fact it's Northern Ireland means things like this are looked in to quicker than they would be in other areas, definitely a possibility.

OP I'd be exactly like you and be desperate to know who it was and why but unfortunately you probably aren't going to find out. I'm sorry you're having to deal with racist comments, I don't doubt your experience at all

Why would the council come out to a vehicle in private parking space? That's 'off road' - they wouldn't give a damn if it was up on bricks with no MOT & no engine surely

A car parked on private property isn't reportable as an abandoned vehicle. It's not on a public road and it was taxed, MOT'd and insured. The council has no jurisdiction to do anything about it.

I think I'd want to know who on earth this woman that turned up was and what on earth the council thought they were doing, if she was actually from the council. Can you ring the local council and ask for the relevant department, and find someone you can ask for an explanation? I don't suppose you got this woman's name?

Why would the council come out for an abandoned car on private property…

they wouldn’t because it’s not their land so they don’t care if you dump a even non road worthy Volvo there for months.

From what the OP said allegedly happened, there is no racism.

OP, the moment you mention you are a shade darker than beige, you'll be hit with a ton of YT women who have never experienced racism or unconscious bias falling over themselves to tell you it couldn't possibly be racism.

Your neighbour sounds like a cock and sounds like she knows it was linked to you, being parked in your space, and likely just wanted to cause a bit of headache for you.

If somebody truly thought it was a dumped car, the most logical thing to do would be to knock on and ask you, given it's in your space, and you'd have been able to clarify. Given they haven't, it sounds like you're totally right in that it's somebody just wanting to cause you grief.

''Please tell me where the potholes are''

Our council don't even come out to them and they are real! 😂

I've read the thread.

I think your decision to deny that racism is happening to someone else is weird.

Just to add - re the racism. As a black woman, I know first hand that accusing someone of racism is seen as much worse than actual racism, for some bizarre reason.

I wouldn't go calling her a racist without solid proof, for the sake of your own peace - alrhough i dont doubt you for a second! xx

@bergamotorange if you read the thread, she doesn't know it.

When someone knows they are being subjected to racist behaviour, it is not on to try to deny it.

You know far less about the situation than the OP.

I wouldn't report it op, just leave it and laugh about it with your family

She just sounds batty with nothing better to do!

Is the car on your front drive? Your post is a little confusing as you say it's an allocated parking space on your property?

Anyway, we've all had neighbours like this, best not to rock the boat. Xx

Too many holes in this story...

OP obviously enjoys a little bit of stirring.

I'm another who would like to live in a Local Authority that has the money to employ so many staff it can send someone out, after just a few days, to a report of a taxed, insured, MOT'd car parked on someone's own property ....

So the borough also called you?

Yes, Patience young Grasshopper, patience.