Second thoughts on house because of neighbours parking

[brownieblondies]

Right, not sure if I'm being daft here and I'm prepared to be told if I'm being precious/unreasonable.

I'm 2 months into buying my first house, a 2 bed semi detached bungalow which is attached to another bungalow. They both have their own driveways on either side. There's another 2 bungalows across the road and then the rest are normal semi's (just trying to give you an idea of the set up) but every house has their own drive, even though some have multiple cars and do park on the road as well.

Anyway, I've driven up there a million times over the last few weeks, mainly in the evenings to have a nosy, making sure it's quiet, no issues etc. The last couple of times I've gone up there I've noticed a small white van parked on the pavement outside my house (basically inbetween mine and next doors house but more towards my side) but not blocking the drive, just very close.

Initially I thought it belonged to one of the bungalows across the road as I remembered seeing a van parked there during the viewing. The chap is currently renovating and has a skip outside his so I thought it would just be temporary parking and I didn't have any concerns. However, I've realised the van actually belongs to the house next door to mine (not the one I'm attached to). They must have only recently started parking there and I'm not sure why as they have a drive and room outside their own house.

I know legally they aren't doing anything wrong and have every right to park there but for some reason it's really niggling at me. The house isn't far from the road (small patch of grass at the front) and so it would be quite close to the living room window. The thought of looking outside my window and having a van as my view is really putting me off. Maybe if I was further away from the road it wouldn't bother me as much. I suppose this could happen anywhere though and people can park anywhere as long as it's legal.

The house is empty and has been for a year (I'm assuming they know) so perhaps they think it doesn't matter and might stop once I move in?!

Am I being ridiculous? Would this bother you?

I live in a terraced house, with no driveway, so from my perspective you’re being ridiculous.

It bothers you park on the road outside your own house?

Of course you're being ridiculous.

If it bothers you that much, park your own car there, or grow a hedge or something.

I can understand your concerns. Is there limited parking on the roads so there is often nowhere else for this car to park? It’s likely that once you move in the van will be parked elsewhere.

When you say 'on the pavement' do you mean fully on the pavement or actually on the road with two wheels up on the kerb? How much of an obstruction is it?

I'd be less bothered about seeing a van from my window than I would about a neighbour parking like an arse, because inconsiderate neighbours are a pain.

Thanks for the quick replies!

I can understand why some people might think I'm being ridiculous/ungrateful/silly. I'm very fortunate to have lived in places with driveways or allocated parking even when I lived in a flat for years.

My drive is big enough for 3 cars as it runs down the side of the house and I definitely want to make use of it, seems like a waste otherwise.

I wouldn't say parking is an issue as most of the houses have room for at least 2 cars each, although not everyone uses them (not sure why). The house in question has room for 1 vehicle (small driveway infront of garage) and room on the street directly outside their house.

I think the van is normally parked on the drive and a car parked outside their house but for some reason the drive was empty and the van was parked outside mine and has been the last couple of times I've gone up there.

Not sure why it's bothering me so much, like I said I think it's just because it's so close to the road/window.

@bergamotorange sorry I wasn't very clear in my op. It's been parked on the road with two wheels on the kerb. They aren't blocking the driveway but are very close so it will make it slightly difficult to get out as I'd have to turn and go around them when coming out of the drive.

Op I don’t think you’re being daft or ridiculous and that would put me off.

For context I live on a street with large driveways, a few neighbours close to me have adult children who still live at home to save for a property, they all have cars, therefore they can’t all fit on the driveway, so sometimes they park outside the house (also when their friends visit they also sometimes partially block the driveway as there’s no space close by & they don’t want to park further up the road, so I have to knock on to ask them to move the car so I can get off the drive) anyway, I find it really annoying.

This isn’t our forever home & we are planning on moving in the near future, but for me after this experience I really wouldn’t want to live in a similar road again…Obviously I know you don’t always know certain issues, (adult kids still living at home for example, so there are more cars that can fit on the drive) but the fact you do know & it’s already niggling you, is a blessing.

Yes it is a first world problem, but you are right to be concerned as it is annoying.

I would run a mile from any house with nightmare parking, or even inconvenient parking, but that's not what's going on here.

Every house you ever buy will have compromises, this is one of the compromises with this particular house. And it's a mobile issue!

Once you move in, if it's annoying you, start parking there yourself.

Are there many two bed houses for sale in your area, and with a driveway that takes three cars? Two bed houses are like hens teeth here, two beds are usually apartments. And parking is often very limited.

Buy your house, make a conscious effort not to let the van get under your skin.

If it's a really nice little bungalow, the fact that there's been a van parked opposite a few times is a ridiculous reason to turn it down. I reckon around 40% of the 10 years of living in our little cottage, we have had somebody parked opposite our driveway. Drives me absolutely batshit, especially if they've got their own drive to park on.

But shit happens. It doesn't affect my life massively and it's just a minor niggle.

You could go and buy another house with no vehicles at all - every time you go to look. Then three months later, somebody opposite buys an extra car and starts parking opposite your house ... To not go for this property for the reason you are citing is ridiculous. Go for it!

It all sounds a bit Hyacinth Bucket.

You could always park your own car there to prevent them using the spot.

@brownieblondies

it would really annoy me, but not to the point of not buying it. Once you've moved in they might stop parking there, if not go & talk to them, explain it's impeding your use of your driveway. There are various things you can do.

even if they park there forever more it's annoying, but really not the end of the world, Venetian blinds tilted so you still get the light in or you can get some stick on stuff that's really not bad these days.

where I live houses prices are mental, I'd love a bungalow with my own driveway, but they're £££££ 🥹

Lol I probably do sound like Hyacinth Bucket to be fair!

I do love the house and the area. It's lovely up there and always quiet. My mum actually knows someone who lives on the street a bit further up and he's said it's a lovely street, no problems, very quiet, even joked saying I'd liven the place up (I won't, I'm boring and quiet too 😂)

Perhaps it's just first time buyer nerves and I'm looking for issues that aren't there. I lived in a ground floor flat for 3 years with no soundproofing and terrible noisy neighbours so I know a van parked outside my house is nothing in the grand scheme of things...

@AutumnTimeForCosy24 ah thank you, that's actually put things into perspective for me. I realise how lucky I am (I'm from the North where houses are much cheaper) but I'm very grateful to be able to buy a house like this, especially as a first time buyer x

A well placed tree or a hedge might block the view.

Possibly they park it outside your window because they don't like to see it from theirs? You'll have to tackle it, especially if they impede your way out of your own drive.

They are probably parking there because the property is empty at the moment.

I don't think it's a problem they're parking there and personally it wouldn't bother me.
I think it is a problem that they are parking with the wheels on the curb taking up pavement space, which makes it difficult for disabled, wheelchair users, buggies etc.

Could just be someone was visiting their house and parked on their drive when they came home from work so they parked on their road?

Wouldn't worry too much

From your description it sounds like this is a work van and they have a personal car. So the van is parked where it is to give unimpeded access to their drive. They could park across their own drive but they'd have to move the van to get out? Or have they space on the other side of their drive entrance they could use too?
Again, if they usually turn in that direction as they exit their van would do what it's doing to your drive, and cutting off the view down the road?

It would irritate me if it's a high sided van but would probably be gone most working days early. If they do have space directly outside their house as an alternate you would be perfectly reasonable to say it's giving visibility issues. If it really is. To complain due to the aesthetic is unreasonable

Move in and give it a week or so, then knock and say ‘is that your van? I saw someone trying to get into the back - maybe they were looking for tools? Anyway thought I’d let you know! ‘ bet they park on their drive after that!!

Not something to worry about just yet, imo.

I used to live in a terrace with a drive, one of the only houses on the (long) street with a drive, and cars parked so close to either side (left, right, directly in front) that we really struggled to get in and out on a regular basis. It was very frustrating and it was a relief to not have that issue anymore when we moved.

So while I understand your concerns, I don't think your situation is bad enough to worry too much.