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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want to use my garage

12 replies

SarahProblem · 24/02/2022 09:49

DP and I are first time homeowners we’ve moved to a small terraced street all of which are townhouses many with multi-generational households. This means that the streets are full of cars with most households having at least two cars. We have one.

Our house and 3 other houses are the only houses with garages with dropped curbs. We’ve moved in to find that none of our neighbours use their garages for their cars, neighbours have converted them to rooms stating that it was impossible to stop people parking in front of the garages. Neighbours want to even build a wall in front of our joined houses to render the garages inaccessible to make a garden area but we’ve already told them that’s not something we wish to pursue. Neighbours are quiet and well neighbourly, sometimes dropping over little gifts etc.

So, AIBU to try and fight for access to my garage or should we just give up and conform to the street norms. It’s a daily battle to park outside our house on the street so not sure if it’s even possible without causing stress and disputes. If so – how do I go about it? Any advice greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
babyjellyfish · 24/02/2022 09:53

You are entitled to use your garage however you want. If cars blocking access via the dropped kerb is an issue you may want to look into getting a parking post.

Grumpsy · 24/02/2022 09:56

Your garage, do what you want with it

araiwa · 24/02/2022 09:56

Call the police every time someone parks over your dropped kerb

MichelleScarn · 24/02/2022 09:57

An accessible garage is a selling point I'd think, could it devalue your house blocking it?
Not doing the 'wall' doesn't stop the neighbours using theirs as storage, but blocking stops you using what it's meant for.

SarahProblem · 24/02/2022 10:02

Thank you for the responses so far. We've already said no to the wall so that's not happening. For the very reason it could devalue the house as it's likely not our long term home.

OP posts:
SarahProblem · 24/02/2022 10:03

Also it turns out I can't spell kerb :)

OP posts:
FortVictoria · 24/02/2022 10:04

Speak to immediate neighbours as a heads up that you will be using your garage for its intended purpose. Then, see if the council will paint a white line across your dropped kerb. Every time someone parks there, ask them to move if you see them, and report them if you don’t. People will soon get the message. It’s your garage - you’re entitled to use it!

BuanoKubiamVej · 24/02/2022 10:06

If you give in and pretend you don't have access rights to your garage, your property value goes down and that costs you ££££ in the long run. Keep asserting your rights and don't give in to what is more convenient for your neighbours. But you don't have the right to the street parking space in front of your house and you don't even actually have the right to park in front of your own garage - parking over a dropped kerb is an offence even if you are the owner of the property accessed by that dropped kerb.

Use your garage. Call the police every time someone blocks your access.

SarahProblem · 24/02/2022 11:04

Thanks. I agree, I think just a light touch conversation with our immediate neighbours is a good start. I'm keen to preserve friendly relationships (after reading the many difficult neighbours threads on here).

OP posts:
Babyvenusplant · 24/02/2022 11:07

Can you actually park in front of your garage now? What is stopping you from just parking there?

SarahProblem · 24/02/2022 11:10

@Babyvenusplant

Can you actually park in front of your garage now? What is stopping you from just parking there?
We can if its free but DP drives to work and gets back 6ish at which point someone is usually parked there.

Plus as PP said, we shouldn't technically be parking on the dropped kerb either.

OP posts:
TigerLilyTail · 24/02/2022 11:37

I think you can report this to your local council and they will issue fines.

I'd put an arsey very big sign up threatening to have people parking in front of the garage towed. It may be bollocks but they don't know that!

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