To want my neighbour to stop parking in my spot

[KangarooAtTheZoo]

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

Parking bollard would work well. Other than that, if it doesn't inconvenience anyone else, block him in. When I first moved in here, my neighbour's girlfriend kept parking in my spot. I blocked her in a couple of times so they had to knock and ask me to move. They didn't do it again.

I see penguin bollards have already made it onto this thread. But I'll say it again anyway. Penguin bollards - that's what you need.

Failing that, buy a trailer or something and park it permanently in that spot until you have guests.

He's basically trespassing but the longer it goes on, the harder it will be to stop it, and he might end up with "habitual use" rights, or something (not sure about that but worth looking into)

report to the management company, its part of the lease to not annoy neighbours (crouched in more legal terms)
So parking where one is not allowed is probably against the terms of the lease (its probably all private road)
See what they do
Else, big flower pot in middle of the parking space, having said to him beforehand that you do not want him parking there anymore.

OP, this is the sort of thing you need, there are loads of types available

www.screwfix.com/c/security-ironmongery/parking-posts/cat810406

The fact he did not answer the door previously would mean I would write a letter to say that he does not have your permission to park in your space. If a car is parked in the space again you will take photos and details to take legal action.

I found this online...

Dear (insert name),

Further to our recent conversations regarding the unauthorised parking of your vehicle registration no. XXXXXXX in my demised parking space granted by my Lease of [ADDRESS], I now give you formal notice that any further incidences involving this, or any other vehicle owned by you, will be considered to be a tort of trespass to land.

By parking in my space, you are denying me access to land to which I have title, which in turn results in a diminution of the value of my property. The Court of Appeal, in Raymond and anor v Young and anor [2015] EWCA 456, upheld an award of damages of £155,000 against a tortfeasor in similar circumstances.

Accordingly, I hold you liable in the sum of £100 for each and every occasion upon which any vehicle belonging to you (or of which you are the registered keeper) is parked in my space. Your acceptance of these conditions will be deemed to have been demonstrated by conduct, and I shall seek recovery of damages by means of civil litigation, and enforcement of any Judgement obtained by means of County Court or High Court bailiffs.

I trust that my position is now clear.

Yours etc,

I’d invite my mates over to park in his spaces and mine. When he comes to complain be sure to tell him what a clever idea it was to just share all three spaces between you. Big smile and shut the door. Don’t answer it after that.

He knows exactly what he’s doing. And the fact he has other spaces nearby but goes out of his way to move things and use yours makes me think he’s a total bully on a power trip.

Do you think he’s taken no notice because you’re a woman or has your DH asked him, too? He sounds the type to be misogynistic.

Penguin bollards are your friends.

If you legally own the spot then clamp him as he's parked on private property

Check your deeds carefully to see if you own the freehold. If it is outlined in red the same as your house then it will be yours freehold, have a look in the description of the property transferred for confirmation. Sometimes allocated spaces which you don’t own freehold are edged in a different colour and referred to elsewhere in the transfer. Either way he shouldn’t be parking in it!

"The Court of Appeal, in Raymond and anor v Young and anor [2015] EWCA 456, upheld an award of damages of £155,000 against a tortfeasor in similar circumstances.*

Have you read that case? "Similar" is a bit of a stretch.

You can start with just a bright orange cone - they are cheap . About a fiver .

No diagram, no dice.

Where is Olaf + his high viz when you need him?...

If you have a friend or family member who doesn’t need their cars for a few days, I’d block the bugger in.

Alternatively if the space allows, put some planters in the spot and move them when you’re expecting visitors.

I’d say the bollard would be the easiest way to sort it though!

@VivaMiltonKeynes

You can start with just a bright orange cone - they are cheap . About a fiver .

He's already moved a wheelie bin, so not sure how you think a moveable cone would work. As the bollards are only about £30, I think it's your only way forward OP.

If it isn't actually inconveniencing you that much then I'd just drop it because tbh...life's too short. Yep! Too short to protect the things you own, worked hard for, value, from chancers. Anything else in your life you would just give the first person who asked for it?

And when they want to sell up this man, his family, the next resident of their home will claim the parking space is theirs, has always been use dby them, etc etc.

God this would make me sooo angry....how dare this entitled knob just help himself to your space....id get bollards or just leave a knackered old banger in the parking space.

Penguin bollard (as others have said).
£25 from Amazon

@CuriousaboutSamphire

If it isn't actually inconveniencing you that much then I'd just drop it because tbh...life's too short. Yep! Too short to protect the things you own, worked hard for, value, from chancers. Anything else in your life you would just give the first person who asked for it?

And when they want to sell up this man, his family, the next resident of their home will claim the parking space is theirs, has always been use dby them, etc etc.

I guess I don't put that much value on something that's mine but I don't use very often, that could help someone else out.

I don't see how letting someone use my parking space extrapolates into them claiming it as theirs - as clearly on selling the house it would state otherwise.

Some of you lot sound so...I don't know....angry.

try and get your hands on traffic cones and place them there. Or just put chairs out or something. He should get the hint with that, and if he moves them you can accuse him of trespassing

Well you can accuse him of trespassing now because that’s what he is doing every time he puts his car on your property.

I'd borrow someone's car and park it there for a month until he gets the hint better still, I'd borrow someone's car and park it in one of HIS spaces for a month. See how he likes it.

@Beachbodylonggone

Where is Olaf + his high viz when you need him?...

That was a good thread!

Been looking at lockable bollards but one company wants to charge 180 pounds to install in addition to the 70 pounds for the bollard. Seems expensive. Is it something you can install yourself or do you need special equipment like a drill or something?

Also what is a penguin bollard? Is it just a big heavy bollard shaped like a penguin that you move on and off the space? Can it be easily stollen?

Can you buy the bollard from Screwfix and get a handyman type person to fit it for you?