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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be irritated by my tenants?

19 replies

Stinkyminkymoo · 13/02/2012 18:52

I have rented my old house out, I've done this 50:50 with my dad.

New tenants move in without a problem but have started parking their van and/or car on the pavement on the other side of the road to where the house is. Just to explain the position, you turn off a dead end side road onto a private drive with a few semi detached houses all with their own parking big enough for 2 cars. They are parking just opposite the drive 1/2 on the pavement, 1/2 on the road.

One of my old neighbours have complained as it isn't a very wide pavement and there are a few old people, mothers with pushchairs and a person in a wheel chair that need to get past.

I told my dad (he's more diplomatic than I) who gave them a ring and they seemed very upset at the insinuation they would park in this way.

The thing is, I pass the house twice everyday to get to work and I can see them parked there. If they really HAD to park on the road, there is a bit of grass their side of the house which is much more convenient and not on pavement.

Most of all though, I am pissed off that they lied to my dad and are still parking in a selfish manner. It also makes me look like a tit as my neighbours are still annoyed.

My dad says to leave it, I want to go round and have it out ask them politely not to park there but my dad is worried they won't pay their rent if I make things difficult. Humph.

OP posts:

seaweedhead · 13/02/2012 19:04

YANBU to be irritated but is it really anything to do with you where they park? You've asked them, they've ignored you - nothing you can do about it. If the neighbours are that bothered surely they could say something to your tenants.

People parking on the pavement is a pet hate of mine. It happens all the time where I live (and I mean all four wheels on the pavement) even though all the houses have private parking spaces and there are parking bays on the road. I think its excusable if its a narrow road and there's nowhere else to park to have two wheels on the pavement.

glenthebattleostrich · 13/02/2012 19:07

If you are that annoyed, ask your neighbours to report it to the police (non emergency no). If a double buggy can't get past then they are parked illegally (or so a policeman told me).

RunsWithScissors · 13/02/2012 19:07

Is it legal to park on the pavement? Not sure, thought generally it wasn't allowed. Could be worth a call to parking enforcement and see what they say/can do.

PeneloPeePitstop · 13/02/2012 19:08

If they're parked on the pavement that breaks the law... so report to the police. Get any neighbours to do the same.

Let them deal with it. They're obviously happy to lie to you.

theowlwhowasafraidofthedark · 13/02/2012 19:11

If you're irritated by this, not sure your cut out to be a LL

RuleBritannia · 13/02/2012 19:11

I would let the neighbours know that you have or your father has approached the tenants so they know you have tried.

scaryteacher · 13/02/2012 19:26

You could always say you have seen where they are parking as you pass the house twice a day, and that others have said they will go to the police. If then they don't sort it, explain that you will have to give them notice.

It is hard...I am desperately trying not to get sucked into a dispute between my tenants and my ex neighbours, and trying to leave it to my letting agent to deal with. I will be living there again in the next couple of years, but want to retain tenants who are no bother and retain good relationship with neighbours. Difficult.

TheSmallClanger · 13/02/2012 19:30

The neighbours should be dealing with your tenants. It isn't you parking your van on the road. It's cowardly of them to involve you.

Lueji · 13/02/2012 19:32

It's not your problem.

If the neighbours don't like it they should call the council who will be happy to send a removal truck and charge a few hundreds of pounds for the privilege.

mousymouseafraidofdogs · 13/02/2012 19:33

yanbu to be annoyed
but it is not for you to deal with. if they are parking illegally your former neighbors have to take it up with a traffic warden. nought to do with you imo.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 13/02/2012 19:34

Your Dad is right, you dont want tennanlt that are pissed off with you, and it's really none of your business if your tennant wants to park inconsiderately. You are his landlord, where he chooses to park is bugger all to do with you.

Advise your ex neighbours to phone the council or parking wardens or something.

silverten · 13/02/2012 19:40

I'd be pissed off in your position just because it is a shitty selfish thing to do.

However it is not within your remit as a landlord to tell them how to park.

It is illegal though, so feel free to report them to the council/police, purely as part of your general civic responsibility...

This is a good website to use: [www.fixmystreet.com]

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 13/02/2012 19:41

What mousy said.

And I think going around to have it out with them is bordering on harassment tbh. You could write them a letter I suppose but really, this is for the police or the council to handle.

YellowDinosaur · 13/02/2012 20:06

Yep, leave it to the police / council. If your neighbours bring it up again tell them that your Dad has spoken to them so if there is still a problem to contact the police / parking enforcement.

Seaweedhead we get the parking all 4 wheels on the kerb thing near us too and it drives me mad!

TheParanoidAndroid · 13/02/2012 20:08

This has nothing to do with them being your tenants. If you are annoyed, call the police or the traffic warden, a few tickets will change their habits quick enough.

smearedinfood · 13/02/2012 20:11

Catch them in the act, but be nice about it. You are selling them a service.

EirikurNoromaour · 13/02/2012 20:17

YABU
They are not breaking the law or their tenancy agreement. Back off and butt out.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 13/02/2012 20:19

Well they're breaking the law. Do people have things like being considerate to neighbours in their tenancy agreements? There was one in the one I had with my HA flat, but I've not rented privately for years.

fatsamsgrandslam · 13/02/2012 20:39

Jenai - We do in our lease! In our lease it has a term:

"In accordance with Ground 14 of the Housing Act 1996 the landlord will be entitled to end this tenancy (subject to serving the appropriate notice under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988) if the tenant has been guilty of conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to a person residing, visiting or otherwise engaging in a lawful activity in the locality"

I really feel your pain. We're having a nightmare with our tenant annoying the neighbours by not parking considerately (amongst MANY other issues), and it has been pointed out that the parking obligations are covered by covenants in our deeds (the house is in a private community) - therefore if the tenant doesn't park correctly, we are breaching the covenants and apparently can be sued (or so I have been threatened by the pompous old Chairman of the Residents Association!). I realise that won't apply to your situation if they're parking on a public highway.

It is horrible when your tenants are annoying your neighbours and you get the grief. I would check your lease, as I didn't think we would be covered - but on closer inspection the tenant is actually in breach of quite a few of the terms. Hopefully it will make him behave - although I fear not!

All I want is to pay our mortgage, have a happy tenant and happy neighbours and our house to still be standing at the end of the lease - not too much to ask, is it?

Good luck!

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