Aibu to think this may have ruined a friendship?

[Barobee]

TL;DR friend’s boyfriend won’t get his car out of my garage and it’s pissing me off.

Longer version: two years ago a good friend asked if her boyfriend could store his car in my garage. It was supposed to be for three months max as he had just exchanged on a house so would be able to store it in his new house’s garage once it had completed.

I said yes as she’s a good friend and I don’t mind being helpful.

Two years on and the fucking car’s still there. I texted at the beginning of June to ask if it could be moved by mid June because I wanted to paint the garage and turn it into a room where DC could hang out a bit. Friend said she would tell him he needed to move his car. Two weeks later, at friend’s suggestion as he had shown no interest in collecting the car, I texted again to ask when he was coming. No joy.

I’ve just texted again today and said if it’s easier can she just give me his number so I can deal with him directly. Now the reply is that she’ll give me his number later because she’s got another child visiting.

At first I was annoyed at him, partly because I sometimes think he treats friend quite badly, but now I’m beginning to think that they are both taking the piss (him more than her) and this is going to impact badly on our friendship. AIBU and what can I do?

Some friendship... You are being used because you are a pushover... Either grow a pair or stop your whinging!

I'm with KentuckyBlueberry. If i'd asked the same question a couple of years back, as I was a quiet and introverted soul, and i'd had a bunch of replies like some of these, i'd be having a lie down right to stop those knotted stomach feelings of impending confrontation! Sometimes though, you just have to drive through the stomach churn phase. It doesn't mean you are becoming a hard b*h, and it does get easier to stand up for yourself. Because no one else can.

Its not a friendship for her to do that. Seek legal advice and check with the police there is nothing dodgy about the car.

Text your friend and say you've had 2 police officers at the door expressing interest in the car; they would like to check it over as it may have been involved in criminal activity. They are coming back tomorrow.

I would say I need his number or you will see if the car can be taktn out of your garage snd taken to a scrap yard as the verbal agreement was for 3 months not 2 years.

I'me sure that space would have been great for your DC during lock down. Phone or text your friend and tell her that he is now being charged rent and its being back dated to the time he moved into his new home. Make sure the rent is with annual increments and at the top of the garage letting rentals due to its security and the responsibility you have had for it. I think your friend needs a reality check.

Any update OP. We are here to encourage you to take a firm stance.

I hope you manage to get rid of the car but I really can't understand why you're being so careful not to offend your 'friend' when she should be notified at her bfs behaviour.

Bloody hell. Two years! Wtf!

Did you text him? Has he reaponded?

I am sorry I dont mean to be rude but ffs 2 years? They are utterly taking the piss out of you. Seriously grow a set, tell her she has 3 day to remove car or its.getting towed. A genuinely true friend would it take advantage of you as this fanny has. If you are too weak to say that tell them.its £50 storage per week moving forward and if the car is not gone in 4 weeks you are back dating storage costs to the start. Seriously you are a grown up, grow a back bone

Sorry fat fingers a true friend WOULD NOT NOT NEVER NOT take the piss out of you like this

My first thought was it was used in a crime and hiding out on someone else’s property is perfect!!! I do like crime programs though

I agree you need to be more assertive. Fuck telling the handyman to hold off; say to them 'I guess something is preventing you from sorting this out with your BF, but even so he needs to come round and get it today, thanks.'

If he still doesn't come, you text her that it will be collected for scrap on X date, that you are sorry but that they have left you no choice.

A few options for you.
Burn garage down
pour bleach on car and give it a nice design using a key
or break car window, release handbrake and let it roll onto the street in the hope that its hits someone else's car (not too much damage on other person vehicle but enough that it causes accident and registered owner has to contacted.

Please let us know how it turns out.

He probably didn't answer your call because he knew what you were going to say, but honestly I think he's done you a favour. People like that often have a way of pushing boundaries and as you have trouble maintaining yours a text is a much easier way to assert yourself.

No ifs, buts or maybes, and certainly no apologies.

This is what needs to happen by X, and if it does not then X will happen . You've had plenty of time to sort something else out and now I want my garage back. End of.

You have already gone way and beyond being a good friend, and they have both taken advantage of your generosity. Now get your garage back and enjoy the extra bit of space.

Id tell him that he has 24 hours to collect the vehicle or you will be calling a removal company to remove from your property and storage fees will be charged to him and your friend. He’s had 2 years of free storage, so he needs to get his arse into gear and remove it. Takes the utter piss!

Ring your friend tell her she and her bf are taking the piss...2 years... you’re too patient. Your house your space and you want to use it ... simple. If you don’t get a response break a window take off handbrake and move it out into the road - i can’t imagine it’s taxed ... tell them it’s on the road and I’m sure they’ll be quick
If they are annoyed tough!

@Barobee have you had a reply yet? I totally understand where you are coming from. We are conditioned to be nice and helpful, and others take the piss. By the time you are ready to act, you risk going overboard (I do anyway). Fingers crossed the CF moves it by your deadline.

If he's not bothered about the car in two years, I doubt he'll be bothered about it now and you'll be stuck with it OP.

Another thought @Barobee - I know you don't want to alienate your friend, in the hopes that she'll ditch him at some point and you'll be there to help.

How would it be if you modelled for her someone calmly but resolutely standing up to the leech? So that she can see he's not the be all and end all, and he can be put in his place.

I'm sure you can do that, for her and for you.

Wow op come on!!

I only read pg 1 as far as learning that you don't have the keys for your own garage. Text either her or him if you have his number this eve ...'Your car needs to be moved by 12 noon on the XX from my garage at Xx or I will make arrangements to dispose of it & you will be responsible for all disposal costs together with cost of locksmith for replacement lock & keys'. Get it done.

I would like to keep the friendship

what friendship? She's not your friend.

It’s the car itself the OP doesn’t have keys for, not the garage!

I have had a response. He has booked someone to come and get it out. Which is great, but infuriatingly there is no mention of WHEN! Subsequent texts asking for dates have been ignored. I have made a mental note to phone the guy who does my MOT for info on tow trucks etc tomorrow morning.

And I do have the keys to my garage! I don’t have the keys to the car so can’t move it myself as the handbrake is on. Although from what more knowledgeable posters are saying, it may not be as simple as release handbrake, move car.