Neighbours not using parking space

[BrimFire]

New build estate with one allocated parking space per house. We all have two cars in our terraced row.
At the end of the allocated space ithere is enough for 2 cars if parked well. There is also room for 2 cars on a short pavement ( it doesn’t go anywhere and isn’t used by people). This is shared by those in the flats.

We have just got new neighbours. There house faces the end and they have 2 cars and a van. They park on the pavement just outside their house double parking with those opposite. They also put the van on the end of the spaces but taking up both. They don’t park in their allocated space.

Another neighbour has been round to ask if they knew it was theres and they said they yes and they were using it. There has been a car in there once but never overnight or in the evening. So we’ve lost 2 spaces and the entrance is now difficult to use.

AIBU to ask them to use the space given or can they park where they want as theres no restrictions.
Question mark is their allocated space.

Well. Both, you can ask and they can park as they please.

You can ask, they can say no

Their allocated space is in a weird spot if I’m reading your diagram correctly?

As PP have said, you can ask, they can refuse.

The people parking on the pavement at the entrance are the ones who shouldn’t really be parked like this.

If parking on the road is difficult then it sounds like they are reserving their drive for guests, so the guests can always get parked.

I don’t think you can do anything about that and them parking on the road.

But if the van is parking over 2 spaces you could take pictures and report to the management company.

Id also check your deeds, many new build estates specify no vans or sign written vehicles parked overnight. You could ask the management company to enforce that if it exists for your property

Its not even that they can’t park where they are ( although it looks shit ) more that a whole parking space is being left empty when parking is so in demand.

So park in their allocated space if they aren’t using it?

Obviously no

Our neighbour has one car and a drive but he only parks on the road. We have 3 cars and this makes our life difficult but nowt we can do!

@OnlyMabelInTheBuilding Their allocated space is not directly outside their back gate. It’s literally 10 steps away though.
Their back gate opens to an open bit where two cars could park although it’s on a corner.
Theres no parking on the road - cars have to go on the pavement outside theirs or opposite. It’s just decorative as I said. Their bit is just for the house and the bit opposite defined flat land behind.

I’m thinking they park there to stop others parking outside their house rather than keeping the parking space clear.

I actually don’t think all this “people can park where they like - end of” attitude is always helpful or conductive to community cohesion and cooperation.

Yes, legally you can park on any permitted bit of highway.

Bit if you have a parking space or driveway deciding not to use it knowing you’re preventing someone else using public space you don't need
for knitter reason other than “you can” makes you a bit of a cunt.

I live in a new build estate with a parking space or driveway for every property.

as I left for work today 3 works vans were parks on the public highway opposite my house. I asked them if they would be there past 4pm (yes until 5).

knowing at 4pm my neighbours all start arriving home I offered 2 of them my parking space as I wouldn’t be home until 5.30.

it costs nothing to be nice.

@itsgettingweird This.

No one actually parked on pavement outside the house before anyway. It’s too close to their house.
Cars park opposite them but that left room to get in and out easily.

Like PP say - they are choosing to park all their own vehicles on public land that is first-come-first-served in order to be always confident that their visitors can have a space in the allocated parking spot. They aren't doing anything wrong, and have every right to ignore your request for them to change their behaviour as why should they? Why should their visitors have to park the next street over and walk a few minutes instead of whichever residents would fill those spots instead if they don't? If a bit of public road is legitimate to park on then it's legitimate for anyone with valid road tax to park there and local residents do not get to say that this bit is for people who live in these flats and that bit is for the people who live in these houses.

Why would you buy a house with only 1 parking spot when you have 2 cars?

As I said it’s annoying that they are parking inconsiderately. It’s really taking the piss that they haven’t used their space. It’s got their house number on it!

this bit is for people who live in these flats and that bit is for the people who live in these houses
It’s not like that! The space on the end ( and the pavement) can be used by anyone - we all have visitors. The newbies have parked one car that uses all the room.

I still don’t understand why it’s not ok for them to park on the pavement in front of their house, but it’s okay for people from the flats much further up to park on the other side… smacks a bit of ‘we were here first and this is how we’ve all done it’

If they’re parking over the pavement it’s worth contacting the management company as a) it can cause issues for wheelchairs and pushchairs and b) it’s probably damaging the kerb!

The other option is of course when they are out people placing their cars there making them use their own space and hoping they start to feel empathy over the situation they’ve created for others.

What's legal and what’s community spirited often differ and it’s a shame “legal” always takes precedence in people’s minds.

Im glad where I live we are community minded and will allow people turning up during the day to use our spaces as we aren’t there and it keeps space for those who live there when it’s needed.

Leave them alone. Park in your space.

It’s fine for them to park on their pavement if they want. That’s not the issue. The issue is that they are double parking and it’s annoying and problematic for everyone else getting in and out of the car park (not them because they are parked) And it’s unnecessary because they have a. proper.space.
And the other car is using up two spaces when another could park there.

It’s not hard
If they parked the van in the allocated space and their two cars by their back gate they’d be no double parking and room on their pavement for visitors.

We could all park like dicks if we wanted to but everyone has been pretty considerate up to this point.

i live in a similar set up, terraced houses and flats with allocated parking spaces and some Visitors spaces. Some of my neighbours have done this: permanently parked in Visitor spaces leaving their own space free for their guests. Difference here being that no one in my bit has more cars than spaces. Choosing to live somewhere with limited parking when you have 2 cars plus a van is completely dickish behaviour. I wouldn’t like the parking at the entrance either, it’s too near the junction and an accident waiting to happen.

Someone has already been around and spoke to them. Its changed nothing, if you go around, it will change nothing.

They are not doing anything wrong. They can park in all the spaces they are.

It is what it is, just park your second car in one of those 3 spaces instead.

They’ve only been in a week so early days.

Luckily I get home earlier than some and been able to squeeze in. Some of the neighbours went away for bank holiday week so it will be a squash next week.

All they have to do is park considerately and it works for all of us.

Sympathise with your parking issues but also think you may underestimate what a nightmare parking a van is. Depending on the size. But even a Ford custom transit, small size like a vw transporter is not easy even for an experienced driver. Visibility is not the best without rear windows and only a camera.

Are they double parking on a junction? Looks like they are from your diagram. Council here would put double yellow lines at one side of the road to stop this as it is dangerous to road users. Phone them and report the issue.

No I get it. I drive one at work and DH used to bring his home.
I refer you to my previous solution

If they parked the van in the allocated space and their two cars by their back gate, there would be no double parking and room on their pavement for visitors.