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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours lending out our space.

223 replies

northbacchus · 07/10/2019 09:58

Moved into our (mortgaged not rental) flat a few months ago. Alongside the flat, we get an enclosed numbered parking space in the downstairs garage.

Our neighbours, without asking, have starting to loan out our space to their friend, lending them their key fob!

We don't drive, so don't use the space constantly, but we regularly have visitors including my DF who needs the space as he is disabled. There is no way our neighbours could not know this is our space, as each number corresponds with the flat number.

AIBU to leave a note in the letterbox of the neighbours? Or should I leave a note on the car? Worried it will cause issue due to the fact we, perhaps obviously, don't have our own car to park there.

OP posts:
Redorangeyellowgreenblue · 07/10/2019 10:53

No free time to complain.. but can complain on here :) just call management with their car registration and they will sort it x

Raphael34 · 07/10/2019 10:53

Op I don’t know what else you want people to suggest if you don’t want to deal with your neighbours and you don’t have time to speak to your building manager. You could have phoned/sent an email in the time it’s taken you to start/respond to this thread. If someone keeps parking in your place then you ask them to stop. If they carry on then you speak to the building manager to have the car clamped/towed. If you don’t want to do this then just accept that you no longer have a parking space

ColaFreezePop · 07/10/2019 10:54

If you have time to write a note to the neighbour then you have time to '"chase the management company" as you will be writing to them

Also confronting someone when you are holding a baby/with a small child is actually better as they are less likely to take a swing at you or be abusive as they don't want you getting authorities involved claiming they abused the baby/child.

Pinkyyy · 07/10/2019 10:54

If they want to park there then they need to make an arrangement with you and pay for the space. You need to send a note to the neighbour and try to catch the driver and tell him to fuck off out of your parking space.

TetherEndReached · 07/10/2019 10:54

Quickest thing is to change the lock. They will soon come knocking at your door.

girlwithadragontattoo · 07/10/2019 10:55

Dump something in the space. I would

Gruzinkerbell1 · 07/10/2019 10:57

Leave a note on the car and post a note to your neighbour.

SoupDragon · 07/10/2019 11:00

Quickest thing is to change the lock.

How do you change the lock to a communal garage?

Jaxhog · 07/10/2019 11:05

Another vote for a penguin bollard.

obligations · 07/10/2019 11:07

I wouldn't bother explaining why you need the space, just write to all your neighbours saying sthing like 'Dear neighbours, we've noticed that some people have been using our parking space (marked whatever) and would prefer if it wasn't used by anyone other than our own friends or relatives please. The management company have also been notified. Many thanks for your understanding'

Original poster
northbacchus · 07/10/2019 11:08

Right, I have now not only emailed management, but I have rung management, and this evening my partner is going to try speaking to the other flat directly. Unfortunately I wasn't able to speak to the property manager when I rang either.

I'm a little confused as to why people think I'm too busy to deal with anyone in general when I have mentioned on the thread I've a) emailed the management company b) knocked more than once on these people's door and c) I'm perfectly willing to knock again or put a note through either the car or the door.

Definitely regret not confronting them directly when I saw her posting the keyfob! Pity.

OP posts:
Greenkit · 07/10/2019 11:09

Invoice them for their previous use, say £10 per day. That will get them running round to talk to you.

Kaddm · 07/10/2019 11:12

Is there a wall by the space? I’d put up a notice saying
Private parking flat 6
Please do not park here

ThatWasThat · 07/10/2019 11:12

I like the suggestion upthread to let them know say that you don't mind them using it when you don't need it, but they will need to be ready to move their car if you do need it.

Although it's your right to keep it clear even when you don't need it, it is always good for relationships to be generous when you can.

zzzzzzzz12345 · 07/10/2019 11:13

If they aren’t answering the door then put a note through - don’t get the management company to do your very simple work! Note says- we need our parking space at all times, please do not park in it anymore. That’s It! Then if they don’t comply, the management company is your friend.

zzzzzzzz12345 · 07/10/2019 11:14

That was that is much more mature than me. I’d be cross they hadn’t asked and wouldn’t offer it out as a result. But it’s probably good for neighbourly relations!

SunglassQueen · 07/10/2019 11:15

Don't let them use it when it's empty. It just muddies the water
It's your space
End of

PavlovaFaith · 07/10/2019 11:16

Park something really obnoxious in your space, like a wreck with no wheels Grin

Obviously don't do that.

Perhaps some nice large pot plants?

Or suddenly have an interest in bee keeping.

I'd have to do something that meant I could peep around my curtains and laugh!

zzzzzzzz12345 · 07/10/2019 11:19

I have it agree with Sunglasse actually - why should you have to think before people can park at your house? It gives you an extra job, making sure that the space is free when you have visitors.

If anything, I would say, ‘please ask if you would like to use the space o a given day’. That way there is no standing arrangement and they have to do the leg work if they want to use it, rather than you doing the leg work to get access to your space.

Actionhasmagic · 07/10/2019 11:19

Buy some cones on amazon and place it there with a stern note saying the space is needed for disabled father PLEASE DO NOT PARK

Osirus · 07/10/2019 11:19

You can have a baby and still do stuff you know Grin. I was at the least busy in my entire adult life when I had a baby. I had more time to do stuff than I do now and I work only two days a week. Kids take up more time the older they get. Probably good to start practising now.

lottiegarbanzo · 07/10/2019 11:20

Well done.

Next step I'd take, if management doesn't act quickly and decisively, is to speak to the driver / leave a note on the car. Just a clear, 'this is Flat X's parking space and we have not given permission for you to park here. Please desist.'

The driver may have been misled into thinking you don't mind.

vintanner · 07/10/2019 11:21

They obviously know it's your space and they have no right to do anything with it even if it isn't being used by anyone or not.
Are you able to put one of those parking-bollards posts in? Which can be locked and only you have the key.
OR
Buy an old banger and park it there.

BlackCatSleeping · 07/10/2019 11:22

If you don’t have any luck with the management company, I’d start leaving notes on the car. This is a private parking space. Do not park here.

Original poster
northbacchus · 07/10/2019 11:23

@Osirus Oh can you? I never knew that, thank you for that vastly helpful tip.

OP posts:
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