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?

Don’t say you’ll postpone the handyman, just say ice got the handyman coming so it needs to be moved.

You've already given warning as well as being taken advantage of so i would just get it towed. It's not your car, its been there two years so is essentially abandoned

Bunch of strong males can likely bounce it out your garage and onto the street.

Do you have the keys for it? if so, move it onto the road and report to dvla

She's been taking the piss out of you for two years and this is a friendship you want to keep? Really? Stop being a mug.

You can easily push it with the handbrake, just need a few strong people.

Think very carefully about why you want to keep a friendship with someone taking the piss out of. It takes less time to “share contact” than it does to say she’ll send the number later.

If you haven’t said a word for 2 years then I think a week’s notice is fair - it won’t be taxed or insured, I guess. Follow correct procedure for dealing with abandoned goods - the law sets out how to handle this.

If it reaches that point, the friendship isn’t worth having anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️

After being parked up for 2 years it's not going to be driveable so he'll have to organise for it to be towed or lifted onto a truck.
He'd then have to tax and insure it unless he has anywhere else he can lock it away.
He's probably hoping if they ignore you then you'll keep it there longer and are probably banking on you being too nice to insist it goes.

I think there is a middle way OP: you don’t need to go nuclear on them. Just text her to say it’s been there long enough, he’s had plenty of time and he has 48 hours to move it.

If she kicks off or the car doesn’t get moved you will know she’s not really a mate and can then move to the war footing.

I'd text - "I've had to push it out onto the drive/pavement as the plasterer is here". And do that.

I would get it towed to a nearby street with parking , it's upto him what happens to it then .If it has no mot or tax. He will get the bill from the DVLA or police.

I suspect the friend is probably getting grief from the boyfriend and maybe giving his number to you may give her even more.

Not your problem !

Sorry, should have read properly... you already asked. Google abandoned goods, follow the correct procedure, get it gone - and forget her, she’s not your friend.

If the handbrake has been on 2 years it's more than likely rusted to the discs. That car ain't going anywhere without being lifted and towed.

Hope nothing small and furry has made a nest anywhere either.

I'd give her a deadline.. say 24 hours or you will move it yourself. Massively taking the piss!

2YEARS?!?!?

Break the window, unlock the door, take off the handbrake and roll it onto the street - No longer ur problem.

I'd also be inclined to suggest to ur CF friend that ur friendship goes the same way as ur car ... out of ur life for good!

Tell her you'll pop over now to collect the keys to move it out of your garage because either that or he has to pay your workmen for cancellation.

Instead of texting I'd ring her and be very clear the car needs moved ASAP. You're being completely reasonable and if your friend decides to end the friendship over this she wasn't much of a friend to begin with.

Would you do this to a friend? She's not bothered by you being inconvenienced is she?

Grow a backbone quickly and tell her to tell him that he has 7 days to get it moved or you'll have it towed at his cost. And give him an invoice for storage for all the time after the first 3 moths. And do it.

Do you really want to keep a friend who treats you like this?

I think he/they will dig his/their heels in. You might have a job of it.

TBH, Youve allowed it there for 2yrs!!
Why?
Tell her straight its being removed by tomorrow and if its not gone by end of tomorrow, Its going up for sale.
What a Piss take.

need to know today what’s happening because I may need to postpone the handyman

God, OP, how to shoot yourself in the foot! Why would you tell her that you can move the handyman if her bf doesn’t deal with it.

Text again: “Can’t move the workmen I have contracted, please can Chet the van moved by XX at the latest, otherwise the team will have to bump it out into the road. Let me know when he is cunning and I’ll make sure I am here. Thanks! Xx”

Coming, not cunning.

Agree with @SerendipityJane that car is going nowhere without a tow truck. Give him 7 days to meet you at yours with a scrappie and the log book.