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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my neighbour should park in his own space

67 replies

BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 11:34

My neighbour has his own disabled parking space marked outside his house. However for large parts of the day he doesn't use it, but leaves his car outwith it, This reduces the space available to non-disabled drivers and makes me wonder why he needs it if he rarely uses it.

There is probably nothing the rest of us can do, but it is very annoying to come home after work and struggle to find somewhere to park.

OP posts:
LucyLasticBand · 09/02/2014 11:36

so his car isnt using it? or he is out? and it is empty?

Original poster
BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 11:38

He and his wife are in the house most of the day, disabled space empty and their car parked outside somebody else's house.

OP posts:
BelleateSebastian · 09/02/2014 11:39

There must be a reason why? surely!

If not he's a selfish entitled bastard ;)

SirChenjin · 09/02/2014 11:42

That is weird.

Could you ask him if it would be OK to use the space if his car is parked elsewhere in the street? If not, could you ask him to use his own space and keep the others free for non-disabled drivers?

LucyLasticBand · 09/02/2014 11:44

what does the neighbour whose house he parks outside say?

Fairenuff · 09/02/2014 11:45

If it's a public road, the space is not just for him, even though the council may have allocated it outside his house. It is for any driver with a disabled badge.

However, if he is not using it, it might be worth getting in touch with the council and asking what their policy is in this situation.

HSMMaCM · 09/02/2014 11:45

Does he still have a disabled badge?

RiojaHaze · 09/02/2014 11:46

YANBU. Parking spaces on our street are a big moany topic. We have our own drives but there is a part of the street where visitors can park that fits 3 big cars or 4 little cars perfectly.
Perfectly that is, until some people park stupidly so only 1 or 2 cars can fit there.

Maybe he doesn't realise the space is needed? Or maybe he's being kind and thinking he'll leave the space for someone who needs it more than him!

Original poster
BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 11:47

It's usually my house he parks outside!

I think he may be doing it in the hope that someone will complain about it to get a reaction. The other neighbours and I have all been subjected to verbal and property abuse by he and his wife and I personally have not spoken to them for over a year.

OP posts:
starballbunny · 09/02/2014 11:48

I'm guessing it's totally deliberate and he's keeping that parking space clear for the neighbour as the paint keeps his clear for him and he can move when the neighbour gets back.

Very neat.

starballbunny · 09/02/2014 11:49

Ah in that case he's just being annoying, why I guess he won't tell you?

SirChenjin · 09/02/2014 11:49

In which case I would either park in 'his' space and then turn my doorbell off, or phone the Council for advice depending on how brave or PMT ridden I was feeling

Fairenuff · 09/02/2014 11:51

If he is abusive, do not try to speak to him about it. Get in touch with the council and see what they say.

He does have every right to park in front of your house though, so he is doing nothing wrong, it's just inconvenient for you.

mrssmith79 · 09/02/2014 11:52

Irritating isn't it? In our terrace of 40 houses, 5 have disabled markings and only one is used for its correct purpose. The others get used as friends and family parking, somewhere to house a fixer upper project (that hasn't left the street in well over a year) and one is left over from a previous homeowner.
Interestingly, when I mentioned this to a friend who works for the council they told me that if the spaces are just white markings on the road with no accompanying sign next to them then they are merely 'courtesy bays' and that it's perfectly legal to park in them. Haven't tried though...our street is quite renowned for its 'mystery' car keyings and wiper / wing mirror rippers...

SauvignonBlanche · 09/02/2014 11:53

I'm guessing he's saving the spot for someone else as he knows he will have an available space later. Nothing to stop him doing that, annoying as it may be.

Your only option is to make an alliance with a Blue badge owner and get them to park in the disabled spot every time he does it, though some might see that as a bit OTT, it depends how much it's annoying you. Grin

Mia4 · 09/02/2014 11:58

I wouldn't park there without a blue badge, you can't be sure that another bb holder won't need it and you can be ticketed and possiblly towed for parking in it. Seeing as he is abusive I expect he would love you to park there so he could report it.

Contact the council and explain the situation but given how dithering they can be I suspect there's not much that will happen. Your best bet is to ignore him and his attempts to wind up and log all abusive and antisocial behaviour with 101, your local safer neighbor police and the council.

It's shit having a neighbor from he'll, I highly suspect he is trying to annoy you all if he has form for it and in that situation he's just waiting for a reaction and a chance to yell abuse and also play the victim.

Original poster
BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 12:27

Thanks for all suggestions. I'll contact the council tomorrow.

We have had the community warden round regarding their previous abuse. Those particular incidents stopped afterwards. but I think they are just the sort of people who have to have something to complain about.

OP posts:
FrysChocolateCream · 09/02/2014 13:14

Pity you can't ask him directly what he is doing,

Disabled bays outside houses aren't legally binding. They rely on other people to be courteous. You are not breaking the law if you park there. As he is being discourteous I would be tempted ..........

Original poster
BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 14:09

There is a plaque on the wall that says only disabled badge holders can park there.

I am sorely tempted to do something but
A don't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that it's annoying me
B don't want any retaliation/damage to my car.

They are very sneaky and do things that are within the law and don't get caught, but we know it's them who's doing it, if you see what I mean.

OP posts:
WhereDoAllTheCalculatorsGo · 09/02/2014 14:17

Do you have any friends with blue badges who could come for a long visit, park in 'his' spot and see what happens?

Original poster
BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 14:24

Sadly I don't. That idea had occurred to me. They could have left their car there while they went on a 2 week holiday abroad!

OP posts:
MrsKoala · 09/02/2014 14:32

We had a neighbour who used to do this and it drove my dad mad. He eventually called the council to be told it was perfectly allowed. The neighbour left it free for visits from his daughter. If he went out and came back and it was the only space available (ie after 5pm) he would park there, but the moment someone else moved (usually at 7am) he would then move his car outside their house. The whole family had 3 cars on a tight road and would use the space as a 'place holder' till anyone else moved. Then their 3 cars would be outside 3 other houses and the disabled space outside his house empty. Nothing you can do about it tho.

CaptainTripps · 09/02/2014 14:53

What an absolute git, OP.

Original poster
BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 15:52

He is indeed. They are a retired pair who came up here cos of cheap house prices and were fine when I moved in. Since then they have complained about every member of my family seemingly doing this to annoy them, which in fact are just part of everyday life.

However I have every single incident recorded. Sad I know.

OP posts:
Original poster
BabyMummy29 · 09/02/2014 15:53

doing things - sorry

OP posts: