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.

Agree with the bollard idea. It's the best way as it stops all cfs parking there.

Why are people suggesting getting an old banger or filling the space with immovable crap? OP needs the space to be available to her visitors, that's the point!

if I didn't have a drill I'd use gorilla glue

I would rather park an old banger there and let my visitors sort parking elsewhere.

To those saying the OP is BU to leave a note rather than confronting the person f2f, why should the OP have to deal with the stress of a direct confrontation when it's the neighbours who are in the wrong?

Don't explain why you need the space, that's not the point and just gives them wriggle room.

As Funky says - it's your space - you don't need to justify yourself.

Don't give them any ammunition at all.

@Mephisto But that's not solving the OP's problem in any way shape or form, she'll just have paid 100+ for a liability of scrap metal that at some point she's got to dispose of, and her disabled dad still won't be able to park in HER parking space

OPs dad doesn't get the space at the moment anyway, I'd suggest having the space filled for a week or so just to get the message over that it's yours and it's being used. Not everyone likes confrontation. Message on car and if that doesn't get results then make space unavailable.

warship ... I was more amused at boysey’s comment about an angle grinder. But yes, 2 minutes is quick to put up a bollard. I assumed they had to be concreted in. I still can’t picture how a bollard stays in place with only four bolts holding it in.

My amusement is at the fact that putting in a bollard is seen as an easy job, no hassle .... whereas I imagine a lot of people would look in horror/bewilderment at the thought of putting one in.

I still can’t picture how a bollard stays in place with only four bolts holding it in

Drill into the concrete, screw down through the holes.

I still can’t picture how a bollard stays in place with only four bolts holding it in.

Much the same way a shelf stays up with only 4 screws :)

Thanks adobe! The only bollards I’ve ever noticed are concreted in ... so I literally couldn’t picture how it would work. The pivot on the plate makes it make sense now.

Most people still couldn’t fix that through concrete in 2 minutes though

Emailing the management company is useless if they didn’t reply to the last one. You need to take action not just wait for something to happen.

Type out a note for all properties but only post to them.

Dear Resident,

It has come to my attention that other residents are loaning out my parking space when they think I do not need this.

As from 8/10/2019 the charge for this is £10 per day payable direct to . All cars parked will be photographed by number plate and if payment is not received by midnight of the day of hire then the debt will be sought through a private company.

I continue to have the right to use the space and have first refusal so please do not occupy the space for hire until you've checked it's free.

Regards

Xxxxx (flat x)

I really wouldn’t send that note to all your neighbors. Everyone will think you’re twats. I think a fairly pointed note on the car itself is a better approach. Be direct. People get away with these things because people are too nice.

Sorry, just realized PP meant only send it to twatty neighbors. 🤦‍♀️

Did your dh get to speak to the neighbours? They’re profiting at your expense. Horrible.

clamp it then go away for a few days

Have you checked to see if they are advertising it on JustPark?

or you could get your dad to park in their space all day see how they like it

If your neighbours won’t open their door to you, send them a recorded delivery letter which they will have to sign for, keep the proof of postage and track its delivery. State your desires and intentions and threaten legal action for non compliance.

That said, I own a house on a private estate in a beauty spot which came with two designated parking places. Others rent their homes to holidaymakers who do not know the rules and, in high season, when parking is pressurised, we often have renters encroaching on our spaces. So far, fifteen years on, I have had no need to enforce our rights. I am flexible and park in someone else’s spot temporarily. It works not to be dog in the manger. A disabled relative, I can see, is a different kettle of fish.

Of course, this sort or territorial dispute and neighbours being unreasonable is partly why older people will not downshift from detached houses with older, ‘nice’ neighbours.

Buy one of those parking poles from Aldi about £15

I have just looked at the hard to remove no parking stickers. They are the way to go and one or two of them on repeated occasions woukd mip it in the bud I am sure.

Bloody hell

Just put a note on the car. This space belongs to flat x. Please do not use it.

Yeah - let’s escalate this to a real neighbourhood dispute, ideally one to be disclosed on any sale of the property

I wouldn’t send a written note with my bank details to strangers.