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?

Another vote for phone as it’s harder for him to try to duck and dive. I wouldn’t ask him when he’s collecting it, l would say handyman is starting Monday so it needs to gone by the end of tomorrow

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz “car fucker” it is true though

I’d phone. Even tho texting feeling easier. Phoning is more assertive

Phone, leave a message, text him and then text the frenemy.

If it’s not gone, call a tow truck and get it taken away

Agree with checking the SORN status too.

Phone, tell him the car will be left aside for him to collect on the road, and it’s not going back in the garage. Presumably he sorted it so he’ll be the one with a car on the road untaxed

It’s not stolen and it is SORN.

First sentence so far is: “I’m just calling to let you know you’ll need collect the car by 6pm on Tuesday.”

As someone else suggested, I'd text so you have proof of what's said. Tell him you need it gone by X date or it will be towed and you'll send him the bill.

Yes, phone but make sure you have a script that’s firm and stick to it. Don’t let him push you into keeping it any longer if he’s vague or challenges you. Good luck!

Yes keep it simple. That’s the deadline.

I thought phone then follow up with text.

From your responses I can see why you've been taken advantage of

Just say you need it gone by the end of the weekend or you'll have to have it towed away and taken for scrap

You should have addressed this at least a year and a half ago

I think phone and text too. Text to confirm exactly what you said.

Pluck up your courage and call. He will try to get out of moving it and you will have to be firm

Follow up with a text is also a good idea

Is he hoarding?

Send him notice that you want his stuff gone.

www.chappellsremovals.co.uk/our-blog/when-tenants-leave-items/

www.lawyers.com/ask-a-lawyer/real-estate/do-i-have-the-legal-rights-to-charge-storage-fees-on-vehicles-left-on-my-property-1634967.html

Yes, I should have addressed this a year and a half ago, but somehow life got in the way and I didn’t. I do have a tendency to be a doormat, though I am far more assertive than I was five years ago , and would prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt.

You must be rock solid with your ultimatum. If he counters by saying he'll be there Wednesday, the answer is no, the car will be towed on Tuesday. No exceptions.

Barobee in your shoes I'd call your friend and get the number. Then I'd call him and give him three days to collect. But get a clear answer, when are you coming to get it?

You don't need to be confrontational, just simply say "I've someone coming to work on the garage in X days and I don't want to have to get a tow truck to move the car."

If he starts being difficult you could even say you had agree to store it for free for a few months, it's now two years so was he planning on paying you for the free storage or should it just be scrapped to pay for the tow truck. But ultimately that puts the onus on you to do something! So I'd only say that if he won't commit to a day to get it.

Sorry, that second link is American

lawzone.legal/abandoned-goods/

Definitely call her and have a proper conversation because she can easily ignore a text. But once you've had the conversation follow it up with an email. That way if you end up having to have it towed, she can't say she wasn't warned.
If she argues you are well within your rights to say "we said three months max, it's been two years. I haven't wanted to force the issue because you're a good friend, but now I feel a bit used to be honest". If she responds to that with anything other than a sincere apology and a guarantee that she'll sort it then she's no friend I'm afraid.

Be more assertive.

Hi CF as you know your car has been in my garage two years. I have approached friend* about it this week. It really needs to be moved from my garage today or tomorrow. Decorators here first thing Tuesday and ill need to clean up in there before they arrive. Come and get it now if you can as I'm in.

I'm going to guess it's not even going to start so he's going to need to tow it. This is not your problem though it's his.

Good luck with your call. I know it’s hard when you’re not so used to being assertive. Really easy for people to say just to do it but it can be hard.

I agree with phoning, so you can confront him angrily, followed by a text to confirm the conversation, so that you have written proof of whatever he says to you.
If he starts being aggressive, be aggressive back. You are not at fault here.
Good luck.

And your "friend" is no friend at all. Forget.

Whatever he replies with just say that is not my problem, the car needs to be gone by xxx. If it isn’t gone by then, let him know that you have contacted someone to tow the car.

Don’t get into any discussion or let him talk you into just one more week etc etc