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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to report a neighbour's hoarded vehicles as a health hazard?

42 replies

SleevelessGreens · 16/09/2026 09:53

We live in a small community which is quiet and well looked after. Unfortunately there is one property where the residents are hoarding around 8 rusting old vehicles. These are crammed in front and around their property to the extent that the latest car has to be parked in the road as there is no room for it on the driveway. Admittedly these vehicles are mostly concealed by fencing but with the recent hot weather there were concerns that the vehicles might self combust causing a serious incident as well as attracting vermin. AIBU to want to report this to the local council on the grounds that it is a public health hazard?

OP posts:
cinquanta · 16/09/2026 09:54

Be honest. You don’t really believe they are a health hazard. You just don’t like looking at them.

sesquipedalian · 16/09/2026 09:57

OP, I can understand your concerns, but if the vehicles are mostly concealed by fencing, I doubt the council will be very interested. My ex is a full-on hoarder, including a people carrier full to the ceiling with old files and a front garden full of all sorts of rubbish and the porch piled high with who knows what. If I were the neighbours, I’d be going crazy, but it’s been like that for years so it would seem there is nothing to be done.

NorthFacingGardener · 16/09/2026 10:00

The only thing you can do is check the vehicle parked on the road is taxed and MoT…. I don’t think they’ll self combust over autumn / winter so you should be alright for a while!

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 16/09/2026 10:00

My DH is a physicist. I just asked him about this and apparently there's no actual reason to think the cars might self-combust. 😂
Vermin possibly.
But really they just look awful.
Do you need a reason to report them?
Surely you can just report them as an unsightly nuisance and see what the council think?

chirrupybird · 16/09/2026 10:01

Are they off road registered? I think it's highly unlikely they would self combust and vermin usually prefer rubbish although the may nest in cars that don't move often. You could try pointing out they might be worth a few quid as scrap, assuming they are not classics which are increasing in value.

DahliaDelights · 16/09/2026 10:03

concerns that the vehicles might self combust

Come on.... how many times do you see parked cars self combusting! That statement alone has undermined your whole post. Absolutely ridiculous.

You just dont want to look at them.

Vermin tend to prefer consumables, not metal.

dreamiesformolly · 16/09/2026 10:03

Have you spoken to them about this at all?

Notsosweetcaroline · 16/09/2026 10:03

Please don’t write to anyone saying the cars will self combust, they will print it out , pin it to the wall and laugh themselves senseless.

they may attract rodents, but no more than any other vehicle parked up.

there is nothing you can do, it’s clear you just don’t like them there, but a health hazard is daft,

Notsosweetcaroline · 16/09/2026 10:04

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 16/09/2026 10:00

My DH is a physicist. I just asked him about this and apparently there's no actual reason to think the cars might self-combust. 😂
Vermin possibly.
But really they just look awful.
Do you need a reason to report them?
Surely you can just report them as an unsightly nuisance and see what the council think?

Yes indeed, Heathrow has people patrolling the long stay car parks, seeing if any will self combust, it’s a known issue 😂

PinkyFlamingo · 16/09/2026 10:05

Haha self combust? Seriously 😂😂😂

PinkyFlamingo · 16/09/2026 10:06

Notsosweetcaroline · 16/09/2026 10:04

Yes indeed, Heathrow has people patrolling the long stay car parks, seeing if any will self combust, it’s a known issue 😂

Show quote history

😂

Nannyfannybanny · 16/09/2026 10:06

DH in the motor trade over 40 years. Vehicles won't self combust, vermin want a viable food source,a regularly used vehicle where occupants have dropped crumbs,crisps,soft stuff for bedding, tissues, paper cups.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 16/09/2026 10:08

Isn't the danger of self-combustion from electric car batteries?

Doesn't sound like these are electric cars.

TVonyable · 16/09/2026 10:10

OP complain that they are an eyesore yes, self combusting unlikely but do write to council including that concern, they probably need cheering up

MajorSamanthaCarter · 16/09/2026 10:12

They have the same odds of self combusting as you do, report yourself to the council. NOW!

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 16/09/2026 10:22

If you’re going to complain at least be honest with yourself about why 😂

fiveyo · 16/09/2026 10:28

The cars won't spontaneously combust and vermin are attracted to food, not rusty cars.

Francestein · 16/09/2026 10:31

Why on earth would they self combust?

climbintheback · 16/09/2026 10:34

There was one on a drive near our college and after a while the boot pinged open and all the kids threw their crisp bags and cans in it till it was overflowing! Now that’s what you call an eyesore - the Council sorted it eventually!

Bohemond23 · 16/09/2026 10:38

Notsosweetcaroline · 16/09/2026 10:04

Yes indeed, Heathrow has people patrolling the long stay car parks, seeing if any will self combust, it’s a known issue 😂

Show quote history

My car was written off by a vehicle that self combusted in a Heathrow car park along with four others.

DeanGaffneysCumFace · 16/09/2026 10:41

I asked my DH about it and he told me he doesn't know anything about junk cars, as he is CFO in a huge corporation

Stillreadingalot · 16/09/2026 10:47

I think the concern would be that people that have multiple rusting cars in their garden may not be careful about disposing of food waste so vermin may well become an issue.

You could contact the local authority with concerns about rats - especially if you've actually seen any.

ladyofshertonabbas · 16/09/2026 10:47

yanbu in the sense that this is anti social, start by reporting it.

CherryKerry · 16/09/2026 10:48

Surely self combust would be the perfect outcome?

InterestedDad37 · 16/09/2026 10:52

It's possibly more likely that the OP will self-combust, through sheer indignation.