Neighbours lending out our space.

[northbacchus]

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.

It’s your space , you should not feel guilty for wanting to get use from it . They’re CF’s

@MitchellMummy

I would personally disagree with your idea - her neighbours aren't being reasonable in the slightest, so allowing these people "occasional use" will only lead to a precedent being set.

The neighbours could then easily claim "OP always let us use the space, she's just changed the terms" or some other retroactive CF'ery.

Do not let them use the parking space "when you're not using it". That is an absolute pain in the backside and they'll take the piss. The parking space is yours and you can do what you like with it. You need to keep it free for visitors end of story.
Note on car every single time they park there.
If they are parked there when your Dad comes to visit get him to block them in.

And people talking about "being neighbourly" and letting them park then because it's kind and nice. These fucking neighbours aren't being neighbourly. They never asked if they could let their friend park there. If they had done it might have been a different story. Also they avoid OP when she tries to talk to them. They are far from neighbourly and do not deserve the OP's kindness regarding this parking space.

I would just speak to them, and say that your space isn't empty, it's used for guests. I'd then make sure your DH (and other guests) used it quite a lot in the coming weeks - preferably leaving it over night a few times. If you want to win them over, you can offer to lend it to them but only if they check with you first and receive a positive reply (rather than an assumption of a positive reply)

@AmIThough it’s completely different if a neighbour has asked you to park on their drive for security reasons. Parking in someone else’s space without permission is complete cheeky fuckery.

I would just hang around in the parking garage with the baby and wait for them to come back (later in the afternoon so you are not there all day) and tell the person not to park in your spot.

I was one of the 2% saying YABU - but only because I think you should speak face to face rather than via notes

Tried knocking on their door previously, when we had a missing parcel - no answer when we knew they were in!

Hmm - they must be mumsnetters

Let the management company know that there is someone who is illegally subletting your space to a non-resident and you are concerned about your safety enough to contact the police
Agree with this. Put the wind up the useless buggers.

Lol at the poster saying you should invoice them £10 a day. I would just think you were a bit of a dick but would respond to a conversation or even a note

Agree with others that you should knock and speak to them. You own this house, so presumably you'll be there a few years at least? It's worth having good relationships with the neighbours, so knock and talk to them face to face. They are obviously being completely unreasonable, but you need to be as diplomatic as possible.

If they persist after your chat with them, put a 'stinger' on the floor to shred the tyres of anyone that uses it.

Or put a bollard in.

For maximum effect, put a bollard in while there's a car still in the space.

Can you put something in the space to block it so no one can park there or a note to say no parking as access is always needed?

@Frazzledbutcalm it's literally 4 bolts not sure why it amuses you that it only took 2 minutes. Anyone with a drill could do it.

@MitchellMummy why would she need brownie points?? What an odd post. Also she could be earning at least £50 per month by renting out her space (could be even more even hundreds if an expensive area with limited parking) so why should she sacrifice that to earn brownie points from neighbours? You're making yourself sound like a doormat.

thenightsky Mon 07-Oct-19 12:15:32
Actually, have you checked those parking websites (name escapes me now) where people rent out drives and parking spaces?

My first thought too @thenightsky

www.yourparkingspace.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwxOvsBRAjEiwAuY7L8gs7Lqv3z6OJLlsmSG01kNSymkS6SA0MOmRMEjH0sbi_C8c7e305DRoCBx0QAvD_BwE

Do you know anyone with a car that they wouldn't mind leaving sat in your space for a while? maybe someone going on holiday?

I'd do note on car first. If it persists then make the space unusable by any means - filled with car, 10 wheelie bins. bollards or whatever.

Don't come to any agreement it will be a pain in the arse.

why would she need brownie points?

I interpreted the brownie points as meaning the normal favours that you might do for neighbours in exchange for them doing favours in return. For example: they'll take parcels in while I'm out at work, I'll check on their house while they're on holiday.

However, this neighbour is clearly a piss taker. While the OP should try to maintain cordial relations, there is no way that she is ever going to want them checking on her house or taking in her parcels! (The parcels would probably disappear...)

An agreement would only be feasible if the neighbours had asked in the first place. They weren't courteous enough to ask, so they have no right to ever expect to be loaned the use of the space.

Time to install a sign or put a massive orange pylon in the middle of the spot with your house number on it.

I still think a bollard is the way to go. And I would definitely install the bolts for a bollard, but otherwise leave the space as it is, then next time there's a car in there, block it in with the bollard.

They will never try and take the piss again after that.

The cheeky fuckers!!!!!!!!

Install the foldable parking bollard as suggested up thread

Block the car in with a lovely big yellow folding bollard. They'll soon come and speak to you .... then come back and give us an update!

Because you own the property, should be no issue getting it fitted.

I think at this point we need to ignore the posting the fob into neighbours letterbox and just go with targeting the car in the space. Unless the OP specifically saw the entire event of person entering car park using keyfob, parking in her space and then directly going to flat and posting it into neighbours box, then neighbour could deny any knowledge. And might do regardless. The fact that we know is that someone is parking their car in the space. Tackle that person or prevent them from doing so and then it's up the driver to take it up with whoever if they so wish. And they will if they are paying for a space that they now can't use.

Your issue is with the driver at the moment OP, not the neighbour.

Let the neighbour come to you if they have something they want to discuss.

Also, when they come knocking to ask you to move the bollard, don't open the door even if you are in. It's only the same as what they're doing...