To think our neighbour is taking the piss....

[bottleofbeer]

Small-ish road of terraced houses, one family has THREE transit vans, a flatbed (approx 8 foot long, maybe more) a 4x4 and a car. They save each other spaces so by the time they're all home from work their vehicles take up at least three quarters of one side of the road. You're lucky if you can get to park in your own road. These same people have been known to 'have words' with other neighbours for parking outside their house. My friend recently left a couple of chairs outside her home because of a delivery that was en route and she needed the space. They moved said chairs and parked there - this is the very same method they employ to ensure they all get to park down this road, every night and there would be murder if any of us did the same thing. Their 'rules' don't apply to themselves you see.

One elderly neighbour likes to sit and watch the world go by from her living room window and often can't because of huge vans parked outside and she's finding it really distressing. She can no longer park near her home and often has to lug about bags of shopping from literally streets away as it's the closest she can get. Same applies to others with small children carting buggies and shopping because there is next to no chance of getting closer to their homes. Apparently nothing can be done because they pay their road tax...yeah, but so do we. What really grates on my nerves about it all is that they would never in a million years stand for the same behaviour from any of us. We had them knocking on our door to complain about a small trailer we had temporarily attached to our car. The lack of consideration is breathtaking. I'm at the point of writing anonymously to them to let them know that pretty much every other neighbour is at their wit's end with it. Oh, they also have CCTV and the cameras must point directly into the opposite neighbours bedrooms, I'm pretty sure you're not alloed to have CCTV pointing anywhere but at your own property?

[bottleofbeer]

Thanks for the info Line runner. And Worra, I'm aware I'm probably being biased towards the ones I do like. I just think the hardship for an old lady who finds it a real struggle to get her shopping from car - home is much greater than that of any of them, young, fit and able bodied to have to park in the genral area the rest of us are forced to because of their selfish behaviour.

Dear Mumsnet, as a family we own 6 vehicles, four of them much larger than your average car. We live in a small street and our vehicles take up most of one side of the road. We don't really care because we pay our taxes. However we are ever watchful for midemeanours of other motorist neighbours and make sure official complaints are lodged at the slightest digression and we ensure no other fooker parks outside our house! Yeah ok so the elderly neighbours and neighbours with young kids are adversely affected by our fleet but like I said, we pay road tax (they pay the magic road fairy in Monopoly money you see so we have wayyyy more rights to the road) AIBU in buying another tranny van?

[bottleofbeer]

I dunno unavailable, probably because this family are utter gobshites and people can't be faffed with the no doubt ensuing arguments (she's been known to roll round in the street fighting with other neighbours).

[bottleofbeer]

Honestly Worra? I would wonder who the hell had so much time on their hands that they'd be so petty as to report them for the same things. Due to their massive sense of entitlement I don't deny I'd smirk if someone reported them for something. Ohhh taste that medicine, :D

[Panda1234]

Did you call the police when she was rolling around the streets fighting?

How do you roll around in the street and fight at the same time, anyway?

[create]

You feel so strongly about it yet, there was a public meeting where parking issues could be discussed and no-one from your household could be bothered find the time to go?

[SeniorWrangler]

Set up a tongue in cheek website, and point a webcam at their car parking habits, and stream it live with a witty running commentary underneath?

[bottleofbeer]

I didn't call the police, I only found out about it later. I presume you kind of end up on the floor after throwing a few bitch slaps and it kind of goes from there till you're rolling about whilst fighting? they were argung over the one thing me muther always warned me off from fighting about - kids. Tis very true that you and the other mother will hate each other for life and the kids will be the best of friends again after five seconds. Wish I'd seen it though, sounds like it would have been highly amusing.

Create: I could reply that at the time of the meeting I was in a coma after being hit by a bus after heroically pushing a toddler out of it's way. But I'd be lying. Passive aggressive assumptions cleverly crossed out are wasted on me. It wasn't about parking issues, it was about the mess the council had made of re-surfacing the road. An issue which I have to admit, didn't concern me enough to give up the appointment I'd made for my wedding hair practice. I won't be so remiss in future, I'll be there with my clipboard.

Senior, I LOVE that idea. I even know what I'd call it - King of the Road.

[mayorquimby]

"There's nothing you can do about them owning several large vehicles and parking them legally but why on earth are you and your neighbours all "obeying" their rules and not parking when there's a space outside their house? So what if they knock and ask you to move? Tell them no."

Has this been answered? beyond me why others are obeying their saving of spaces.

[SeniorWrangler]

Betcha you'd start to get an internet following with people sending in their own horror stories

[create]

not quite wasted bottle

[ruddynorah]

How do they reserve spaces for all their vehicles? Why do you go along with this?

[pippilongsmurfing]

I don't understand why it's not just first come first served, like most areas with on-street parking.

As in you park your car outside your house and if you have any other vehicles it is up to you to find somewhere that is not where your neighbour parks their car outside their house.

Obviously people all get home in the evening at different times. Surely if the people who get home before the "transit van convoy" park outside their own houses the "convoy" will need to park elsewhere.

This happens in streets across the UK everyday!

[pippilongsmurfing]

mayorquimby that's what I was trying to get at.

In my street we park outside our own home (there is room for 1 car per house) and anyone with anything above this has to find elsewhere to park.
That elsewhere is not outside somebody who owns a car's house iyswim?

[fedupofnamechanging]

I think all your neighbours are being a bit wussy tbh. I'd just move their chairs and park. If they asked me to move I'd refuse.

you can always key their cars

[pippilongsmurfing]

It sounds like you have waaay more issues with these people than parking!!

It sounds like they did something once upon a time to piss you off and now you are moaning about every little thing they do!

[DraculasMum]

Oh sounds a nightmare, I would have to move if I was in your position as stuff like this has me acting very irrationally.

Could you maybe speak to your neighbours and see if you can all make a stand at the same time? Perhaps write a letter and get all neighbours to sign it, give a copy to the nightmare neighbours and also the council.

Also ask your neighbours to alternate spaces.. I.e each of you park a few feet apart which ultimately only leaves them space for 2 vehicles? Also ensure that you and the other neighbours are parked in said spaces at all times

If you leave big spaces in between cars it will mean less space for them inconsiderate twunts.

Also me personally I would be making sure the old lady can see out her window, so the neighbour with the smallest car parks out front of her house.


Orrrr you could invest in a few mopeds and park them up permanently it would be a criminal offence for them to move them, also if this neighbour is known to get violent then let her don't retaliate but just call the police.

make a stand and don't be bullied!

[MrsGaff]

I don't get why you don't park wherever you can, even if its in front if their house, and refuse to move if and when they ask?

And your description of the neighbour coming over all panicky to make sure you didn't think it was them who complained at the council meeting is completely at odds with your descriptions of their arrogant, inconsiderate, aggressive behaviour? If they were really that bad they wouldn't give a shit if you thought they had complained about your trailer or not.

I think you've got a bee in your bonnet about these neighbours for some reason and it's nothing to do with parking.

[pippilongsmurfing]

MrsGaff that is how it comes across isn't it?

[Annpan88]

The OP was just stating how annoyed she was with these people. I think anyone would be in here position. I'm generally of the thinking that if you can't see why the op is annoyed by the inconsiderate neighbours on her street, then you are the inconsiderate neighbours on your street. :) other people parking 'infractions' where a one of. These neighbours are rude and inconsiderate every day

[Annpan88]

were a one off*

[worraliberty]

I'm generally of the thinking that if you can't see why the op is annoyed by the inconsiderate neighbours on her street, then you are the inconsiderate neighbours on your street

What a strange way to think

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Oh this would drive me into the stratosphere with rage and beyond if I had to deal with this everyday. I am at a loss as to why no one on your street has had it out with this family.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

I dont think YABU, and I think you should lobby the neighbours for permit parking, being discreet and just citing the problems with finding a space. If others feel the same as you, they will sign up. As someone esle suggested, ask the council to fit you with a drop kerb. You will probably have to pay, but it will solve the problem.
As for the CCTV, if it is focused on your own bedroom window, then Id imagine that you would be quite entitled to contact the police.

[toniguy]

It seems to me that the problem is not simply the parking but the fact that you and other neighbours feel intimidated by this family. I think the most effective thing you can do is band together and simply refuse to stand for this nonsense. Make a point of parking outside their house, and also arrange to park leaving inconvenient 4 foot gaps in-between your vehicles so they can't fit all their vans and gas guzzlers in the road . Then if they dare to knock on anyones door and complain, simply refuse. Say that the rules are the same for all of you. Either its a free for all and you park where you want, or it isn't- in which case they can stop parking their vehicles outside your houses . The key thing is banding together and having back up, so you're all repeating the same thing. They sound ghastly, but like all bullies they're clearly cowards too , as you discovered when they were desperate to stay anonymous when they complained. So they may well back off if they know everyones pissed off with them. And if they don't, well, threatening language or verbal abuse are against the law. Make sure you have witnesses to any conversations and be prepared to act if they try to intimidate you.

As others have said, private individuals don't own the road, and they are doing nothing illegal, however the point is, they are somehow expecting one rule for themselves and a different one for everyone else, and think that by acting a bit threatening they can intimidate everyone