Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Next door neighbour and they're business

212 replies

Psiaspops · 01/06/2023 14:36

My next door neighbour runs a business from his home. Usually evenings, 3 to 4 a week. Usually between 4pm and 9pm. We have the usual with his clients parking in front of our house and drive way, blocking us in etc and we usually just ask them to politely move or whatever
But last night, a woman was waiting on their child while they were in their lesson. She had two other children with her. They looked to be around 7 and 5. She decided she would let them play in our garden, pick flowers etc. I went out and she just spoke to me like it was normal. I asked could they please not pick our flowers and play in our garden. She was really taken aback but said okay. Then the youngest grabbed stones from the road and threw them onto our grass. I asked her could she please not let her child do that, and she said to me oh it's only some stones and then made a scene of how unreasonable I was being and how he was only a child etc. Now our neighbour has come over and said to leave his clients alone. I explained what happened and he said he already knew and they were doing no harm. Who's being unreasonable here as I just don't understand their logic, but then maybe I'm wrong, I don't know anymore

OP posts:
Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 13:11

Mummyoflittledragon · 04/06/2023 07:13

The law has changed and trespassers can now be prosecuted. However, it seems there is a 24 hour rule, which wouldn’t apply To you op. Except it’s a repeat offence by the same people weekly and they are causing you a lot of distress as you can’t get to your appointment. Idk if the police would help at all in this situation. I would stress it is abnormal in nature due to you needing to get to appointments. https://conventuslaw.com/report/uk-trespassers-can-now-be-prosecuted/

As for the rest, if your oh has the energy, I’d be contacting HMRC and doing all of the above. I’m sorry about your diagnosis. Flowers

Thank you for this

OP posts:
Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 13:12

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 04/06/2023 06:12

@Psiaspops Can you find a local firm that either clamps or tows away cars parked illegally on private land?
Then put a sign up and leave them to do their job. Grin
Also, check on companies house and report him to HMRC if you haven't.
Did he have planning permission and building regs to convert his garage into a business premises? The BRegs side would be different to a normal domestic conversion.
Good Luck.

Will look into this all, thank you

OP posts:
SaxSick · 04/06/2023 13:18

E BAY has some good signs that you can buy to reinforce the point. We had this issue with people letting their dogs shit and pee on our front garden so got a very polite one. I see them look at it, probably think "what a wanker" but I don't give a shit. I pay for the plants etc.

Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 13:47

SaxSick · 04/06/2023 13:18

E BAY has some good signs that you can buy to reinforce the point. We had this issue with people letting their dogs shit and pee on our front garden so got a very polite one. I see them look at it, probably think "what a wanker" but I don't give a shit. I pay for the plants etc.

Thank you will take a look today. Sorry you had to put up with that shit,no pun intended. People are awful and so entitled. Honestly until I made this thread I did think I was the problem but you have all helped me realise that I'm not and I couldn't be more thankful to all of you
Honestly I just want to live out whatever time I have left in reasonable peace, I know life's not perfect and things will happen, but I realise now just how bad this situation has become. If I could send every one of you a thank you gift,I honestly would

OP posts:
WeAreTheHeroes · 04/06/2023 14:05

I feel for you OP. Obviously you shouldn't have to, but would gates and signs saying access required and to be kept clear 24/7 be better than what there is currently? I would also consider posting on local Facebook group and tagging the neighbour's business - that way he can't remove your post himself - stating that the road is private and access/parking with the permission of the owners only.

I am fabbergasted by your neighbour's sense of entitlement and the rudeness of his clients.

Speak to your neighbourhood policing team too. They will probably have a word with him.

WeAreTheHeroes · 04/06/2023 14:05

*flabbergasted even

Mosaic123 · 04/06/2023 14:15

It's definitely not you, but all them and their clients.

Do you have a Police station you could pop into? It would be good if you were able to call the Police if they park across your drive without permission.

I wonder if they could make a note to try to come out if you called them?

In fact it would be good if a member of the Police was able to call round to your neighbour (at the time they have the group lessons) to explain the relevant parking law to them and their clients.

SwedishDeathClearance · 04/06/2023 14:16

Rather than no parking you could impose a charge of £100 per hour.
It would be more effective at stopping them

When is the next AGM of your private road? Assume that you are all shareholders?

toxiccreature · 04/06/2023 14:22

in your situation, and I have been there, is I would rent out your house to some really godawful tenants and use the rent to pay your mortgage and to go and rent somewhere nice and peaceful for yourself.

RandomMess · 04/06/2023 15:31

I meant block half your driveway so they can't access it or use it for turning.

Also can you put your wheelie bins on the road too?

Fraaahnces · 04/06/2023 15:43

Park your car ready to leave at the end of your drive so they can’t block you in. If they complain, tell them to take it up with the wanker next door and use that terminology. Let them know that fines and clamping are going to be in use from next week.

Wallywobbles · 04/06/2023 15:48

Say to them that he has a criminal record for physical abuse of his wife and kids. And that they're brave to leave their kids with him. Damage his reputation.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 04/06/2023 16:54

“Get the fuck off my garden. Now.”

He wants to be a dick? I’ll be completely honest with his twat clients and make them never want to come back.

JudgeRudy · 04/06/2023 17:12

Well you're not being unreasonable for sure. The parent is being unreasonable to let it happen in the first place. Your neighbour is unreasonable for actively coming out to defend their behaviour. I'd be gathering evidence then making a complaint to the council about how him running a business from his home is affecting your 'quiet enjoyment' and 'right to privacy'.

Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 17:55

I agree with you all. Thank you. You have all given me great ideas, that will definitely help. We have all evidence on camera backed up to my computer, so I think that will help us. Have signs ordered that sign private parking, no turning or parking. Honestly appreciate all the help as it's been hard to think straight being in the middle of it all and also with dealing with my health

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 04/06/2023 19:08

Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 17:55

I agree with you all. Thank you. You have all given me great ideas, that will definitely help. We have all evidence on camera backed up to my computer, so I think that will help us. Have signs ordered that sign private parking, no turning or parking. Honestly appreciate all the help as it's been hard to think straight being in the middle of it all and also with dealing with my health

Do you have a friendly local PCSO you could get to come round and have a chat?

Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 19:14

Nanny0gg · 04/06/2023 19:08

Do you have a friendly local PCSO you could get to come round and have a chat?

I'll take a look into that too. Think there's a form online, so will see what that says. Thank you

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 04/06/2023 19:46

If you own the road outside your house id be very tempted to put a sensor activated sprinkler that hits that part so whenever anyone parks there and gets out they get a soaking.

Bet they won't do it twice!

Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 19:53

itsgettingweird · 04/06/2023 19:46

If you own the road outside your house id be very tempted to put a sensor activated sprinkler that hits that part so whenever anyone parks there and gets out they get a soaking.

Bet they won't do it twice!

Haha yeh that would be funny actually

OP posts:
Mumteedum · 04/06/2023 20:33

Can't believe how selfish people have become. I'm sorry for what you're going through @Psiaspops Flowers

nevynevster · 04/06/2023 20:38

Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 19:53

Haha yeh that would be funny actually

Why don't you put up a simple chain across the driveway? I've seen that before with a "keep clear 24 hr access required" sign hanging off it. That should deter folks and make it clear without being unduly annoying for you. The other option is to put up a rising bollard but that is a bit more expensive and faffy

Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 20:59

Mumteedum · 04/06/2023 20:33

Can't believe how selfish people have become. I'm sorry for what you're going through @Psiaspops Flowers

Thank you

OP posts:
Psiaspops · 04/06/2023 21:00

nevynevster · 04/06/2023 20:38

Why don't you put up a simple chain across the driveway? I've seen that before with a "keep clear 24 hr access required" sign hanging off it. That should deter folks and make it clear without being unduly annoying for you. The other option is to put up a rising bollard but that is a bit more expensive and faffy

Thank you, will look into this. That's actual very simple and hopefully will work

OP posts:
Bluebellsbells · 04/06/2023 21:15

We have neighbours that regularly block us on our driveway. We rang the police and they basically said parking is only a police matter if they block us in, but blocking us out is a council issue.

Well since then every single time they park there we take a photo and send it to the council- it's been a real pain and taken some stamina but eventually the council got so fed up of us complaining they sent a vehicle out to photograph our neighbours and I'm not sure whether they contacted them but touch wood they haven't parked there recently!

I'm not sure if the same rules apply on a private road but I would investigate a clamping company to in-still some immediate justice!

Also are any other neighbours affected? Could they also have a word, put up signs?

Psiaspops · 05/06/2023 18:18

Hi all, just a quick update. So HMRC, planning and the local enforcement team are now all looking into every aspect of next doors business. So that covers paying taxes, planning for building work to make studio, excess noise, influx of visitors that is beyond acceptable level etc etc. I don't know if I will hear back from any of them as at least one has already said they will not give me updates due to privacy etc. So I'm going to wait now and see if anything happens. In the mean time I will be moving anyone who parks outside my home, across driveway etc.
If I do hear anything from anyone, I will let you all know. I'm worried though, I know the kind of person he is and if he finds out it was me, I dread to think what he will do, but I do have security cameras etc and I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that something will be done

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread