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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want my neighbour to stop parking in my spot

423 replies

KangarooAtTheZoo · 25/08/2020 14:46

I have an allocated parking spot in a cul de sac. It's on the deeds to the house and we have the freehold so we own the parking spot. We don't own a car but we use the spot for visitors alot. A neighbour has started parking in our spot every day even though they have 2 spots and there are communal spots (his household have at least 3 cars I think). It started in the lockdown as we had no guests. I have left notes on the car and asked them not to park in our spot because our guests can't use it and it's blocking access for me to get my pram out when there is a car parked there (there is narrow paths and bushes either side). When I have confronted him he says just ask him to move his car when you have guests. But the last two times we had guests he didn't answer the door so my guests couldn't park there. And why should I be inconvienced by him parking on our property.
What options are left now? I assume police and council can't do anything? There is a property management company that manages the communal area because some people own half the property and pay half rent to this company but I assume because we own the freehold they can't do anything? Can I put a parking bollard on my spot? I'm also worried if it goes on for to long they can claim rights to the parking spot. Thanks for any advice

OP posts:
Beautiful3 · 25/08/2020 15:10

Agree with get a lockable bollard. My neighbour has those, and it's so easy to do and secures your space. Of course you can do it, it's your piece of land as stated on the deeds. Your neighbour is being selfish and unreasonable.

Original poster
KangarooAtTheZoo · 25/08/2020 15:11

TheOrigBrave now the lockdown is eased we have guests/ family once a week so they can see my toddler alot before a further lockdown. Also have an elderly relative that struggles to walk so parking further away isn't great for them.

OP posts:
notanothertakeaway · 25/08/2020 15:12

When your neighbour inevitably asks why you don't want him using your space, don't engage. Any reason you come up with, he'll have an answer to it

Just say "I'm not being funny, but it's my space and I don't want other people to use it. I don't have to give a reason"

OrigamiOwl · 25/08/2020 15:14

Install a parking bollard and all sorted.

Original poster
KangarooAtTheZoo · 25/08/2020 15:15

kittenpeak I put my big grey bin there with a sign not to park. And he still moved the bin and still parked there. Good idea about video evidence, wonder if I can catch him moving the bin and film it.

OP posts:
billyt · 25/08/2020 15:15

TheOrigBrave, whether the OPs guest have trouble parking or not isn't the issue.

IT'S.NOT.THE.NEIGHBOURS.PROPERTY!!!!

They do not have any right to park there, except the rights that CF everywhere seem to think they are entitled to.

OP has paid for that space so why should those arseholes claim it? Bollocks to keeping the peace, not worth the 'life's too short' shit. Let the neighbour sort his life out before interfering in other people's, eh?

ForTheLoveOfCatFood · 25/08/2020 15:17

Lockable bollards - cheap to buy and install.

We got them when we had similar issues - got the odd comment but we didn’t buy a house with parking for some cf neighbour to continually use our space

Ahardknocklife · 25/08/2020 15:19

Could you get one of those parking bollards that sink into the ground and raise it once he parks in your space. Blocking him in and only release him at your convenience? Or am I being childish and antagonistic?

Original poster
KangarooAtTheZoo · 25/08/2020 15:20

Curious how easy is it to install lockable bollards? Is it best to hire someone to do it? Does it require a special drill etc?

Also if they try to ram the bollard with their car and damage their car and bollard are they liable?

OP posts:
Devlesko · 25/08/2020 15:20

OK, can you raise one of those bollards remotely?
If so, I'd wait until he/ his guest parks there then higher the bollard.
Then, either go out or refuse to answer the door, like he did.

Queenoftheashes · 25/08/2020 15:21

I’d probably - in no particular order - go round there and tell him you’re reporting him every time (and do so)
Write very polite requests for him to move all over his windscreen in lipstick
Point out he didn’t answer the door when you needed the space and it’s your space so he has no right to park in it and doesn’t have your permission

Queenoftheashes · 25/08/2020 15:22

Oh and definitely block him in

gutentag1 · 25/08/2020 15:23

Queenoftheashes Reporting him to who?

FlamedToACrisp · 25/08/2020 15:24

@Ahardknocklife

Could you get one of those parking bollards that sink into the ground and raise it once he parks in your space. Blocking him in and only release him at your convenience? Or am I being childish and antagonistic?
Yes you are - and it's probably illegal.
TheOrigBrave · 25/08/2020 15:25

Well I didn't mean that OP hands over the spot to CF neighbours and it completely chance her future house selling potential, but rather have a discussion e.g.

"I'm happy for you to use my spot for now, as I only have visitors once a fortnight and there's always a visitor spot available, but please keep in mind that it is mine and this is a favour and things might change at any time."

I see OP actually needs it more than that and of course I understand that the neighbour is being a CF.

I'm imagining how it would work outside my home - 2 sides of a square of terrace housing, each with a car park spot outside and 5 visitor spots within metres.
If I didn't have a car and I got on with the CF neighbour I'd be fine for them to use my spot, as the visitor spots are rarely full and if they are, there's roadside parking.
In fact I like to have a car outside my home as it looks occupied.

ivfdreaming · 25/08/2020 15:27

You won't be able to put a permanent bollard in place if the parking space is part of a highway shared surface.

1st step is write to him formerly requesting that he desists from using your space - include a copy of the deeds showing the space belongs to you. State you will have no choice but to take further action if he continues

If he continues write to him saying you have informed the management company and the next step will be to take formal action for trespassing (unfortunately council or police won't do anything as it's a civil matter)

You may be able to report is as anti social behaviour but bare in mind you'd have to declare that whenever you come to sell

OR ask a friend to come and block their car in for a few days until he gets the hint

unmarkedbythat · 25/08/2020 15:28

I'd accidentally scratch the paintwork whilst clumsily manoeuvring my pram past it.

But first, op, I would google penguin bollards :)

TheOrigBrave · 25/08/2020 15:28

Maybe I just live in an area where neighbours do things for each other?

And YES I do see OP needs it more than my first post suggests.

Houseplantmad · 25/08/2020 15:28

People like this only understand plain language. Tell him to stop using your fucking spot and print a notice that you can stock to his windscreen with vaseline every time he does it.

Seeline · 25/08/2020 15:29

Put up a notice with parking charges. And send a bill. Every day.

ivfdreaming · 25/08/2020 15:29

Just so you know it's illegal to clamp his car or have it towed away

I'd borrow someone's car and park it there for a month until he gets the hint

Or some large plant pots that are difficult to move - then if he touches them you can claim criminal damage/trespassing etc

LioneIRichTea · 25/08/2020 15:31

When I have confronted him he says just ask him to move his car when you have guests

Uhh no cheeky git!! I hate this! You wouldn’t park on someone’s drive and say ‘just ask me to move if you want to use it’ it’s so entitled! It’s private property do he’s trespassing!

OP we had the same, some CF over the road bought a house with 2 parking spaces knowing he had 3 cars clocked we were a 1 car family. So instead of parking the 3rd on the road outside his house, dumped it in our space. (If he would have asked I’d have said yes but the CF just felt entitled to use ours) when we worked out who’s car it was I went over and told him not to park there again or I’d let the management company know. In fact I emailed them anyway and they sent letters to everyone in the road reminding them not to do it as it was against rules. Just wondering if you’re in a new build development and can do the same OP?

Anyway we bought private parking signs and put them up and haven’t had an issue since.

I have been tempted to buy one of those bollards though and leave it down so if anyone parks there we can just lock it up and not answer the door evil grin

legohouse · 25/08/2020 15:32

I'd be tempted to buy an old banger and leave it parked there so he can't

Viviennemary · 25/08/2020 15:33

It's your space to park whether or not you use it. I looked this up. The police won't be interested but you can contact your local council. Tell your neighbour first. It absolutely is worth making a fuss about. You might not use your garden shed. Doesnt mean your neighbour can store their lawnmower there. Some folk!

Queenoftheashes · 25/08/2020 15:33

@gutentag1

Queenoftheashes Reporting him to who?
The council as per the met police link someone posted earlier