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AIBU?

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Original poster

Van for sale in way!

35 replies

user1474439326 · 19/05/2017 16:33

So....we live 2 houses down from a close, but our house is on a main road. We are selling a van which we bought earlier in the year for someone who worked for husbands business and now doesn't, hence the sale. So it's been parked there about a month with for sale signs in window, has tax and MOT and insurance etc so all legal. We have parked it up the close , facing the main road so people can see the signs. It's been on auto trader for this time, had 3 viewings but no sale.
I got a call today from our next door neighbour, I don't think she knew it was me but I could tell it was her, asking why it was parked there and could I move it. She said it's facing the wrong way so if someone pulled into the close at night they might cash into it and also people think it belongs to them because its nearest their house.

Now it's a public road, I'm not breaking the law and part of me can see it might be annoying but the other half wants to tell her to mind her own business! She can't see it from her house as she has a massive hedge in the way.
AIBU ??

OP posts:
Original poster
user1474439326 · 19/05/2017 16:34

Just to add we do have a drive but have 2 other cars which are on it.

OP posts:
Fragglez · 19/05/2017 16:37

So long as it's 30ft from the junction it's fine!

Why would she think someone would be more likely to drive into one end than the other?!

OddBoots · 19/05/2017 16:37

The highway code (rule 250) says that overnight it needs to be:

"at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow"

It sounds like at the very least it is facing the wrong way and could also possibly be too close to the main road.

ChasedByBees · 19/05/2017 16:38

Whilst what you're doing is legal, I can imagine from our neighbours perspective that it's really really annoying to have a van parked in the same space for a month outside your house. I would also think you were quite inconsiderate.

Could you move it around a little so it's not in the same place the whole time?

GlitteryFluff · 19/05/2017 16:38

I can see why it's be annoying for the houses in the close tbh, assuming that's a parking spot they use, or guests use and a van from down the road has been parked there for a month. It's a bit cheeky, but if its legal then it's legal, there's not much they can do about it.

GlitteryFluff · 19/05/2017 16:39

Maybe we need a diagram Wink

LoudBatPerson · 19/05/2017 16:42

In our area, you are not allowed to park on a public street with for sale signs as it is classed as "Trading" on the street. This is true if you run a business selling cars or not. Several people have been fined for this as it seems to be a popular spot for it!

I do not know if this varies around the country though, so could be worth checking to make sure you do not get landed with a fine.

Original poster
user1474439326 · 19/05/2017 16:42

I get it must be slightly annoying - I want he bloody thing gone more than she does trust me Grin
I'll check the measurements as it may well not be far away enough from the junction - but to be fair, if I wasn't parked there someone else would be!

OP posts:
Cuppaoftea · 19/05/2017 16:43

YABU. Park the van for sale on your drive and one of your cars on the road.

wasonthelist · 19/05/2017 16:43

You need to reduce the asking price if it's been for sale so long with no takers.

As others have said, it sounds as if it may be parked illegally (at least after dark) although those rules don't seem to be enforced any more.

Original poster
user1474439326 · 19/05/2017 16:44

It hasn't sold as MOT only has a month left so I've let auto trader ad run out and it's booked in next week for new MOT

OP posts:
AnnieOH1 · 19/05/2017 16:47

Check with your council there may be local regulations such as these

if you live in London then you are probably covered by the London Local Authorities Act 1990, section 38 of which says:

(1) Any person who

(a) engages in street trading in the borough in a street which is not a licence street; or

(b) engages in street trading in the borough in a licence street without the authority of a street trading licence or a temporary licence shall be guilty of an offence.

Selling a car in the street is being interpreted as ‘street trading’ leaving the culprit liable to a fine, albeit a smaller one; in this case it cannot exceed £1,000. However, the same Act gives the local authority the right to seize any goods being sold and to dispose of them if the offence is proved. This gives them the power to tow your car away and crush it…

wasonthelist · 19/05/2017 16:49

Are you in London?
www.saga.co.uk/magazine/motoring/cars/selling/selling-cars-on-public-road

Out2pasture · 19/05/2017 16:52

Legal or not it looks trashy to have dead cars with a for sale sign on it. Keep it on your own property!

Original poster
user1474439326 · 19/05/2017 16:55

No I don't live in London - in Sussex.
I can swap it for my car or indeed take the signs down, but it doesn't solve the problem she is complaining about

OP posts:
wasonthelist · 19/05/2017 16:56

it looks trashy to have dead cars with a for sale sign on it.

According to whom? Anyway it's not dead and not a car.

Out2pasture · 19/05/2017 17:00

According to me, car or van no difference. If it's yours keep it on your property.

muckypup73 · 19/05/2017 17:05

Ive had a car parked outside my house for arounnd 5 months now, I have to back my care in every single time because its there, needless to say its pissing me off.

teraculum29 · 19/05/2017 17:08

maybe try to move car around so it's not constantly in the same spot.

as for sale thing, maybe try to put it on ebay? for auction and put reserve on it so it won't go less that you want to.

Original poster
user1474439326 · 19/05/2017 17:10

Thanks all! I will move it because I understand it's not ideal. Just thought it was a bit much complaining when I obvs am trying to get rid! X

OP posts:
RatherBeRiding · 19/05/2017 17:11

I agree that you should put the For Sale van on your own drive, and one of your own vehicles parked round the corner - presumably as you will be in and out all the time your own vehicle won't be there all the time which is probably what is annoying your neighbour.

TBF I would find it a bit annoying too, despite it being perfectly legal so long as you are complying with the Highway Code.

HorridHenryrule · 19/05/2017 17:13

I remember this annoying bitch decided she would park her car on the grass near the pavement. I don't know wether its legal or not what she's doing but it does scream I am entitled to do what I want so fuck you. This happened a couple of years ago I didn't say nothing I don't particularly like her anyway. I don't know wether some one else complained my driving instructor never taught me to do that.

If this helps I personally don't think you are doing anything wrong.

EweAreHere · 19/05/2017 17:13

It sounds like it's a pain in the arse for the people who live nearby. Sounds like it's parked facing the wrong way, a visibility issue, and possibly too close to the intersection? And even if it is parked legally, it sounds quite inconsiderate for it to have been there for so long. Put it on your own drive or in front of your own house.

Ceto · 19/05/2017 17:14

but to be fair, if I wasn't parked there someone else would be!

But not the same car parked there 24 hours a day for a month, so neighbour would have a fighting chance of being able to park her own or her visitors' cars there.

I think basic consideration demands that you move it around a bit - anyway if you leave it too long the battery will die, which won't improve your chances of selling it.

HorridHenryrule · 19/05/2017 17:15

It had a for sale sign on her car.

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