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?

Have you called yet op? Don't write down what you are going to say like it looks like you were starting to do or you will get flustered if he deviates from the script. Just stick to the facts. You have a handyman coming, the car needs to be gone by x date. The car was only supposed to be there for 2 months. If he tries to barter in some way keep saying "No, that doesn't work for me" and repeat until he gets the hint

Stop fancying around OP and woman the fuck up.

You going to move and leave the car in the garage? Because that’s what will happen in the end

Please Stop being feeble, ring the CF, if he doesn’t answer leave a message giving him 7 days or window will be put through and car will be on public road and likely towed and scrapped. Step back and follow through. Send A text as back up to confirm the same.

I would just be honest with your friend, making up stories is stupid.

Just say, "look I know this has nothing to do with you, but I'm a fed up now and need to decorate my garage so can you pass the message on that if "BF" doesn't contact me by Sunday night, I'm going to have to force entry to the car to move it to the road side. No hard feelings or anything I just need it moving" then sign off how you usually do.

How did it go?

I hope you've got it sorted at least then it's over!

Has his car been on axle-stands, if not the tyres could be flat, and the battery is likely to be flat and the brakes could well be seized.
It may not be as easy to push it onto the road as you'd think.

They're both taking the mickey because they know you won't do anything.
You don't have to call, text
'Hi, it's X, I'm sorting my garage out so I need your car gone, as it was originally stored for two months I think we can agree you've have plenty of time to sort alternative storage. So please collect from the garage tomorrow or a neighbour has offered to bump it onto the road on Monday. So please ensure it's insured by then. See you tomorrow.

And don't engage with any excuses, just keep repeating from my text.

I do think she’s in a crap situation and I worry for her and don’t want to make her life more difficult, but.... I also want my garage back!
OP the problem is that her "crap situation" is now yours - with bells on. Obviously neither your friend nor her boyfriend have much respect for you, otherwise they'd not have treated you as "free storage" for two YEARS.

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.

Then stop letting people walk over you. I'm afraid some people will treat you the way you let them.

Life is unlikely to get easier in the next few years so you'll need to be a bit tougher. Take your space back!

Have you phoned or messaged him yet?

After a vehicle has been on your property for a certain period of time (if I remember rightly it's six months) it can be considered abandoned and legally yours to do with as you wish. IE remove it or sell it.

Text friend and say if it is not gone by X date then I will be removing the car myself and then get rid of it.

Just say I’m having it decorated on x day, I won’t be covering it over with a dust sheet. And if decorator has to stand on roof or bonnet of car to plaster ceiling or walls you won’t stop him as it’s now in the way.

Whats TL DR?

I have got boyfriend’s number and called him. No reply so I’ve texted.

Yes, I agree with everyone, tell him clearly that it has to be moved by the end of Monday or whatever, and do not let him get away with an extension. “No, I am sorry, that doesn’t work for me” . And repeat if nec.

Also I do know I’m annoying. I annoy the hell out of myself sometimes which is why I’ve been trying to be firmer about things.

Call him because you might be waiting a long time for him to answer a txt and he could say he didn't see it or whatever.
Call, tell him you really need it removed, give him a date otherwise you will get John down the road to remove it with his tow truck and put it on the street.
Follow that up with a txt saying it needs to be removed by X date at 12pm or you'll take action to have it removed. Txt again and text friend too as a reminder a day or two before and on the evening before the deadline. Look into arrangements for actually having it removed and do it. They'll have no recourse if you have evidence of having repeatedly told them to get it out and then following through.
I know you want to keep your friend and it's sad if she's in a bad situation with him but she can't choose him over you in this way and expect you to be ok with it. Friendship is 2 way.

Do you have them on Facebook? List it for sale on marketplace, see how fast they come then.

Why tell her you're going to postpone the handy man? Tell her the handy man is coming and you want it gone by tomorrow - there's no compromise.

There’s no point giving ultimatums and saying the car has to be moved by X date if X date comes and you’re not actually going to do anything about it.

@Barobee

I would like to keep the friendship if at all possible and so I’m reluctant to up the ante.

Tell him that you are going to start charging rent for the use of the garage, because otherwise he will carry on taking the piss. What are you a friend or a free ride?

What do you think his take on this is op? Is it a pile of junk with no value so he's got no interest in what happens to it? If you say you'll tow it, will he think 'go on then' and you'll just end up paying for it to be removed

Or does it have some value to him?

I agree with dont say you may have to postpone the handy man, or try to point out what he’d have had to pay for proper storage. You’re just giving them distractions and giving them reasons to argue with you. Just tell them the car needs to be gone by x date or it’ll be disposed of

That’s so rude of him. Try again and tomorrow but if doesn’t respond he’s not leaving you with much choice you’ll have to scrap it!

I’m as sure as I can be that it has value to him. I know he’s been taking the piss, but it may be that for most of the time he honestly thought I was ok with it. For the past few weeks, though, he clearly did know that I wanted it gone.