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Original poster

Parking one

13 replies

DodgyDiagram · 31/10/2023 16:40

Name changed as it’s outing. Hopefully the name and my attempt at a diagram proves I’ve been around a while 😂

I live on a main road. It’s not safe/legal to park immediately in front of my house, but parking is possible further along to either side (beyond the boundaries of my diagram).

I have a garage at the back of the house, which is accessible via a track / access road / driveway (I’m not sure what this is called, which is maybe part of my question). I have two children, one of whom is autistic, so I prefer parking at the back of my house as it’s so much safer there.

The track also provides access to various other houses and to the rear of my neighbours’ houses (marked with Xs on the diagram) and their garages (marked with hatches).

Neighbour 1 (marked in orange) has always parked to the side of that track, for at least the last ten years. His wheels are just off the track and I’ve always manoeuvred past him.

Neighbour 2 has recently moved in and started parking in the opposite side of the track (marked in blue).

When both 1 and 2 are parked there it’s incredibly hard to drive to my house.

Ive tried speaking to both of them. Neighbour 1 is of the opinion that this is what he’s always done so this is what he will
keep doing. Neighbour 2 has tried to park closer to her garage, but essentially says it’s he land and she’ll do what she wants. Her dad offered me driving lessons 🧐

I’m trying to work out where I stand legally. As far as I understand it, they need to allow me access to my garage at all times. As they understand it, it’s their land and I need to suck it up.

Anyone got any pointers about what to do? I’ve tried downloading the deeds for all three houses, but they’re not making much sense to me, and - realistically- even if I am legally right, what can I actually do about it?

Diagram attached: brown is buildings, yellow is track, green is garden / bush, red is me, orange is neighbour 1, blue is neighbour 2.

Thank you!

OP posts:

Friolero · 31/10/2023 17:04

I would've thought you (and the other properties backing onto the track) have a right of access for vehicles along the track, so they shouldn't be blocking it. Can you see any mention of this in the deeds?

PlimplePlop · 31/10/2023 17:10

You describe it as incredibly hard, does this mean you are unable to squeeze through, or that you can squeeze through if you go carefully. If it's the 2nd, how much space have you got on either side? 1 inch on either side YANBU, 5 inches plus on either side, YABU.
I've had similar irritation with a new neighbour who parks opposite my driveway. But I've had to get over myself a bit, as actually I still can get into my drive, with probably 6 inches to spare. It's irritating but space is limited for everyone.

NillyNoMates · 31/10/2023 17:15

Does the orange neighbour park outside your garage?

RatherBeRiding · 31/10/2023 17:16

If both your neighbours are not actually parking on the track itself then i think you will just have to suck it up as technically they are not blocking access. Is it an exceptionally narrow track?

AproposofEverything · 31/10/2023 17:19

I wonder what would happen if you couldn’t get past them, so left your car in front of theirs….

JayAlfredPrufrock · 31/10/2023 17:21

If she has her wheels on the track then I’d imagine she us essentially blocking it.

Medlady · 31/10/2023 17:27

Yep. Just park in front of them with two wheels on the road like they do

Original poster

DodgyDiagram · 31/10/2023 17:31

Yes, neighbour 1 has wheels off track. Neighbour two, wheels on. The ‘track’ is basically just wheel marks on grass, so when her wheels are on the track, mine can’t be, if that makes sense?

By ‘difficult’, I mean reverse alarms are on ‘constant’ (not beeping) and it’s 1-2 inches on each side. I can’t drive it straight at all, have to go one way around one, then the other around the next, if that makes sense? If I went straight, I’d hit both.

If I parked in front of them, I’d be blocking other houses on adjoining tracks.

OP posts:

Spirallingdownwards · 31/10/2023 17:32

Your deeds should show the status of the track and whether you have a right of way over it. If you have and they are blocking it then they are breaching that covenant. If it is just difficult for you to pass but you can pass it becomes technically more difficult as they aren't technically blocking the right of way.

Gazelda · 31/10/2023 17:39

I think it's neighbour 2 you need to tackle. Neighbour 1 is completely off the track so not preventing you from passing. It's 2 who's obstructing.

Do you have an especially big or unwieldy car?

You have several options:
Keep trying and hopefully you'll get better at passing with more experience.
Ask 2 to move every time you aren't able to get to your garage. Cause her an inconvenience.
Establish the legal position and then write to 2 explaining her obligation to allow you access (assuming that is written in the deeds). If this fails then maybe you need to resort to a solicitors letter.

Original poster

DodgyDiagram · 31/10/2023 17:43

My deeds say this. I can’t find any pictures/maps with the ‘hatched brown area’ though, and their deeds don’t seem to mention it at all.

OP posts:

PlimplePlop · 31/10/2023 17:57

DodgyDiagram · 31/10/2023 17:31

Yes, neighbour 1 has wheels off track. Neighbour two, wheels on. The ‘track’ is basically just wheel marks on grass, so when her wheels are on the track, mine can’t be, if that makes sense?

If I parked in front of them, I’d be blocking other houses on adjoining tracks.

Yeah that sounds very difficult. YADNBU !

Tinkerbyebye · 31/10/2023 19:12

If you go onto the land registry there are two forms to download at, I think £3 each. One written, shows rights of way, covenants etc the other is a plan on the land. I would suggest you need both for all three properties as that will show who owns what.

from the info you have posted it looks like you have a right of way and if that’s the case they can’t block access

where did the old neighbour park?

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