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?

Having a view of a van blocking my light would annoy me too, as would someone taking up pavement space with it. Obviously the van driver feels the same if he parks it in front of your house instead of his.

There's a chance he could turn into a considerate person when there's someone living there but it's a risk.

I'd probably knock on van driver's door under the ruse of asking their opinion on how quiet the road is etc, as a prospective buyer. It usually gives you a feel for how they'd be as a neighbour. Then see how you feel.

@brownieblondies

im some what tempted to move up north, but I'd really miss my friends here & the support (or at least knowing they're there should I need anything). I've lived all over the world on my own, but getting older & having had a life changing accident I really appreciated just knowing friends were local, even when I didn't end up needing them to do anything😂😂. (I might in other situations?!).

I live in a semi detached bungalow with a drive. My street has restricted parking further up, so often there are cars parked outside my house. At first it annoyed me but I gave my head a wobble. They don't block me in, often the spaces are empty and it's a lovely wee friendly place. I would be bothered about them parking up on the pavement though. In Scotland that is now illegal. However, how often do you sit looking out your window? Is the house nice? I could overlook the van if I really liked the house and street

This would totally annoy me but then I lived for 15 years next to really inconsiderate neighbours who parked so near to my drive, mostly a bit over it, which made getting in and out really difficult. Also we had to look at their massive van out the window which blocked view and light because they didn't want to park it in their drive.
Talking to them was like talking to that van they just thought about themselves and could not care what we thought. So I probably wouldn't buy this house.

We moved to the country away from all people and I've never been happier.

As soon as you move in pop your car there at the earliest opportunity and keep doing it everytime you come in, assuming the van isn't there. Hopefully they'll get the message.
I also like Beautifulsunflowers suggestion!

It would annoy me too, and make me wary. I've been a bit unlucky with shit neighbours over the years so now I look v carefully for warning signs. Couldn't you ask the vendors about these neighbours? Has your solicitor done a search to see if there's been any neighbour disputes?

They won't stop parking there once you move in. 💯

If they know that there isn't anyone living there they probably don't worry about slightly blocking the drive. Once you are in you can ask they to move if they do it, or park yourself in that spot so they get the hint.
Our neighbours used to park on out drive if we went away on holiday and our car was gone. It freed up the road and made it look like someone was home. We didn't mind at all, they never blocked us in or parked on our drive unless we were away.