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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Am I unreasonable.... AM I?!

110 replies

ThePhantomPlopper · 26/09/2009 14:02

We live on a small new build estate.

In our section there are 4 houses and 4 car parking spaces. Simple. We were the first to move in and parked in one of the spaces, the builders did not designate parking spaces.

Last week one neighbour (not the neighbour involved in the going ons below) came round and handed me a laminated sheet from our council saying that we has 5 days to remove our car before it's towed away under the abandoned cars act or something.

The car is DH's, he's in Iraq. I phoned and explained, they said fine put it in writing and we won't tow the car. So I did.

The next day the owner of the whole site, some big London cheese rang and said that the other set of neighbours were on his back for the car parking space and we had to move. I said DH has the keys on his base in Scotland whilst he's in Iraq (I don't use the Land Rover it annoys me), there is nothing I can do until March when he's home and then we'll be happy to move it. Fine says he, but now I'm getting phone calls and letters from them saying number 15 is still on their backs.

There are 4 spaces, 3 in use, why the hell can't they park next to our car instead of moaning. Not once have the come round to talk to me, they went through the council and the management man.

I'm pissed off, I have enough going on without worrying that the next time I go outside the car won't be there and it'll have been cubed by the council.

I could understand if we had a magical car parking spot that magically refilled the petrol tank over night or something BUT ITS JUST A FUCKING CAR PARKING SPACE IDENTICAL TO THE OTHER 3!!! What is the problem!!

OP posts:

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 26/09/2009 14:07

If the car is taxed, surely it's parked legally and the council can't touch it?

TheArmadillo · 26/09/2009 14:07

YANBU.

TrillianAstra · 26/09/2009 14:08

I don't understand what they want. Are they house number 1 so they want the first parking space in the row or something?

Original poster

ThePhantomPlopper · 26/09/2009 14:09

It's declared off the road, as I won't touch it for 7 months.

OP posts:

TheArmadillo · 26/09/2009 14:09

Plus I think old lady is right.

If it is taxed and parked legally then they can't remove it. Unless I think they can prove it's been abandoned - but with putting it in writing (which is probably why they asked you to do it) then you've shown it's not.

CarGirl · 26/09/2009 14:10

They are a bit nutty however it is irritating to have a car constantly parked & not in use but if it is a case of one space each I really do not understanding their objection at all.

NoBiggy · 26/09/2009 14:10

We had similar when we were in a flat. Someone complained to the council that DP's car was abandoned (it was just parked). We got round it by moving it to a different parking space every so often (then, apparently, it's not abandoned ro some such).

Some people need to go and get a life. Is that your only car? If you're only taking one space for your household, and you're not in breach of any agreements for the estate, then perhaps a letter to the site owner, explaining, and requesting they cease the harassment?

Original poster

ThePhantomPlopper · 26/09/2009 14:10

Trillian - Yes that's it, we're in spot 4 and they are the end house, we were told when we moved in the spots weren't designated.

OP posts:

Bathsheba · 26/09/2009 14:11

Is there anything at all on the deeds of the property to indicate which parking space belongs to which house?

It seems they think that space is clearly theirs whereas you think its a free for all - it may well be that they have something that states its THEIR space...

cluckyagain · 26/09/2009 14:12

Sorry - confused - you own one of the houses, you have parked in one space - what's the problem and why would you have to move it in any case?

3littlefrogs · 26/09/2009 14:13

Is the parking space legally "off the road"? Is it taxed? Maybe if you have declared it off road, and the tax disc is out of date, the neighbours think it is parked illegally?

CarGirl · 26/09/2009 14:13

do they have lots of visitors or something?

pjmama · 26/09/2009 14:13

Why does number 15 have more claim to this parking space than you do? Do they have a problem with you parking there at all? Or is it just because the car is not taxed and never moved and they therefore view this as you permanently hogging a space which should be up for grabs for anyone?

Just struggling to understand what the real problem is? If its four houses, four spaces for four cars then why would anyone bother? So there must be more to it that that?

cluckyagain · 26/09/2009 14:13

Just read bathshebas - the fuss would make more sense if the spaces are designated on the deeds.

Original poster

ThePhantomPlopper · 26/09/2009 14:14

Nothing in the deeds either, it's 4 spaces for 4 houses, the builders told us they weren't designated, but obviously only our 4 houses could use them. That might have changed now that the building work is wrapping up though.

Only car yes.

OP posts:

3littlefrogs · 26/09/2009 14:15

If it is declared off road, it has to be off the public road - on private land.

CarGirl · 26/09/2009 14:15

I would go around to them explain why it is off the road and ask them what the problem is? I wonder if they will be too meek and mild to put up any objection to your face.

Are the parking spaces designated as private so your car can legally be declared off the road? do you have your own driveway too?

Is it because it's a big car and it makes it a tight squeeze to use the other spaces and that is really the issue?

pjmama · 26/09/2009 14:16

Digressing slightly - why would your DH park his car and take the keys away with him for 7 months?! I'd throttle mine if he did something that daft He's dropped you in it a bit if it needs to be moved for any reason.

Squishabelle · 26/09/2009 14:16

Phantom YANBU, but (just wondering) if your car is declared sorn (off road) is it allowed to be in a parking space? Would hate for you to get into trouble for this if not.

hocuspontas · 26/09/2009 14:17

It does sound like since you moved in the other people may have a designated spot on their deeds. But even so, why not come over and discuss it first? So much for being neighbourly.

cluckyagain · 26/09/2009 14:17

It must say something in the deeds about the spaces - they may say for instance, they're on a first come, first served basis - in which case your neighbours are annoyed that one space is permanently out of action....although I still think it's a bit rough if there are only 4 houses in any case. What do the builders or the big London cheese say about why the neighbours are more entitled to the space than you?

Bathsheba · 26/09/2009 14:19

Speak to the lawyer/estate agent that did your house sale

a - to clarify as it might say in the deeds of the other houses what space is theirs..

b - if that space is private and "off the public road" enough for it to be a space for a car with a SORN declaration

Original poster

ThePhantomPlopper · 26/09/2009 14:19

Its legally declared off the road, the tax disk might still be up though, haven't checked.

It's classed as a private car park, so is legal.

It's a Free Lander but the we're well within the lines and my other next door neighbour's parents can park their bloody great Discovery in that spot when they visit.

Number 15 have two cars, parked next to each other in the 2 spaces next to their house (I can't explain how the development is set out). I don't understand the problem.

OP posts:

Squishabelle · 26/09/2009 14:21

Thought you had to send in the tax disc to declare SORN?

3littlefrogs · 26/09/2009 14:22

No - I have done this a few times, never had to send in the tax disc.

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