Neighbours enormous caravan parked on the road (not drive) for months

[AchillesLastStand]

My neighbours have an enormous caravan that has been parked outside their house on the road for over three months or longer that they have up for sale. It’s directly opposite my house and impacts DH’s ability to reverse out of our drive. He has to reverse out at angle going across our front garden rather than straight. Also no one can park outside our house. Tradesmen have had to park up the road and carry heavy equipment with them.

One of our neighbours is having building work done and we had a cement lorry reversing down the road yesterday past the caravan and now I’ve noticed a small bump on the side of the caravan. I know our neighbours are going to try and pin it on us even though they have no proof and the caravan shouldn’t be parked there that long in the first place obstructing traffic. They have a drive which they’re using for vehicles but I wouldn’t mind if the caravan was parked there for that amount of time. Surely then don’t own the road outside their house and it shouldn’t be there. AIBU,

You can ask them and they can say no, assuming they’re not parked illegally

You don’t own the road outside their house either

They can try and pin it on you all they like but they haven’t got any evidence. Caravans shouldn’t be parked on the road, I’d have reported it to the council long before now.

I know our neighbours are going to try and pin it on us

How do you know that?

Surely then don’t own the road outside their house and it shouldn’t be there. AIBU

Neither do you!

As long as it’s parked legally then there is nothing you can do, no matter the inconvenience.

Hopefully they sell it soon.

Is it a caravan or a camper van?

If it's a caravan or if it's a camper van that's parked dangerously/causing an obstruction, you know what you need to do 🤷‍♂️

Because it looks like we’ve reversed our car out and hit it by accident from angle of the bump. It they don’t mention it to us I’ll be delighted.

If it's a caravan it can't be parked on the road, they need to put it on their drive or in storage. If it's a motor home then as long as it's taxed and insured there's not alot you can do.

Oh actually I've just checked, and you can park a touring caravan in the street, as long as it's not parked dangerously.

@AchillesLastStand Found this on ask the police website

https://www.askthe.police.uk/faq/?id=f7786653-13db-eb11-bacb-0022483f57c9

You can report it to the council but I think parking a caravan on the road it just as legal as if it was a car (or so a quick google search implies). They don't own the road as much as you don't. Just parking at the end of your drives doesn't mean they are causing an obstruction.

I get the annoyance though. We've had a neighbours car parked at the end of our drive for the last 9-12 months. It barely moved but does every few months so for a weekend then it back again. It means we can't reverse out of our drive so we now reverse on instead and its fine. Its annoying but honestly for us isn't worth the hassle. It annoys our neighbours the other side more to the point they reported it but there isn't nothing the council can do.

No I don’t own the road outside my home but when my disabled DM visits I would like her to be able to park outside my house. No one has been able to park for months now. The caravan is massively overpriced and won’t be selling this side of Christmas.

Our council doesn't allow boats, trailers or caravans to be parked on the road unless they are attached to a vehicle. Have a look on your local council website.

Can I park my caravan on the road in the UK?

Yes, you can. There is no law against parking your touring caravan on the street.

However, you should make sure it is not obstructing your neighbours’ access or passing traffic. It’s also worth making sure your caravan is well lit at night and that its rear lights face in the direction of oncoming drivers.

https://www.insuremy.co.uk/blog/touring-caravan-laws-regulations-uk#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can.,the%20direction%20of%20oncoming%20drivers.

It’s a caravan not a motor home.

i think it depends on the local council.. maybe worth a call to them to see what their rules are on leaving a caravan on a highway.

some councils allow it, others don't. there is also the fact its possibly causing an obstructiom to the highway. so maybe a call to the local police to ask for a PCSO to come and take a look and see if its deemed to be parked inappropriately.

What do you want us to say, apart from the obvious 'contact the council'?

If they're parked illegally they'll sort it.

If not, there's nothing you can do.

Thank you. I’ll have a look now.

if your disabled mum can’t park then you go out and help her into your home a few extra steps isn’t a massive issue.

As much as it’s an annoyance they aren’t doing anything illegally.

thats a bit of a mean comment.. the OP clearly isn't sure of the situation so has come to MN for advice, that advice is to call the council... no need for snarky comments

well they might be!

I would report it.

They are being cheapskates. They could store it at a caravan park but presumably choose not to because it would cost them money.

They are saving cash at the inconvenience of everyone else.

If they tried to blame me for damage to it I would give them a piece of my mind and let them know scrapes are likely to happen if they park their van in a place that is inconvenient for everyone.

It's not mean at all.

The OP knows the council is the first port of call on this one.

Our opinions on it count for nothing.

No, they won’t be doing anything illegally 🙄

It maybe against their council policy tho!

My local council says, what we can’t act on:

• parking of caravans on residential driveways or within the curtilage of a dwelling, where it does not form a separate dwelling

Does that include the road as well?

For those saying the caravan can't be on the road - why do you think it can't be on the road?

There isn't any law stating a vehicle can't be parked on the road and a caravan counts as a vehicle the same as a bicycle or milk float