Parking issues with new neighbour

[ColinM50]

We're the end house on a small Close and outside our house is a turning area. There's only six houses in the Close and we all have two car drives. We can comfortably fit four on our drive but one house has a shorter drive and can only fit two normal sized cars in. It's recently been sold and it seems a mini bus taxi company have moved in.

They have three large nine/twelve seater taxi registered mini buses and because they can't get them on the drive as well as their two Sportages, they've taken to parking all three outside my house in the turning circle.

I've checked that the taxis all taxed and assume insured and whilst I know I don't own the road and they can park where they like, it's starting to be an issue. Not had a word with the new neighbour yet but after some advice as to what to say.

Any pointers please?

[HantsRat]

If they are legally parked then not a lot you can do. Why is it becoming a problem? If access is restricted ask him to move them somewhere else and point out the issue you have.

Can you post a street view link?

[hornetrider]

If they are blocking the turning area can you ask them to clear it. If they are commercial vehicles should they be stored on the street?

[Pica-Pica]

Knock and ask for a card, in case you need them. Seriously, that could be a conversation starter, but I would wait until you 'casually' pass them on the road.

As regards the turning circle, I believe cul-de-sacs longer than 200 metres have to have a turning circle. Therefore by extended that condition, the turning circle has to be kept clear. The council is the place to check.

This may help
https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/275607

Or this
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=58...

[The Surveyor]

Introduce yourself and have a neighbourly chat, mention the minibuses and it may be just a temporary thing as they get settled in = nothing to be concerned about.

If they have bought the house and intend to use it as the base for their minibus business then things may need to get a little less cordial. If they are legally parked then you are going to need to look whether there are any easements which restrict the parking of commercial vehicles on the close. This is common on new developments but less so on older ones.

Also, check to see if they have planning consent to use this dwelling for commercial purposes. If they don't then they shouldn't be using their home as the base for a minibus business.

Good luck.

[SantaBarbara]

Have they got the name and address of th owner on the side of the vehicles?

[oldbanger]

With that size of vehicle they probably need an PSV O licence to run their business. One of the conditions of that is that there should be adequate off-street parking for vehicles, and they'd probably also require planning permission if operating from their home address.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

You can check your postcode and/or any company names on the livery at
https://www.gov.uk/find-vehicle-operators and
https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-operator-licence-...

[Pica-Pica]

oldbanger said:

With that size of vehicle they probably need an PSV O licence to run their business. One of the conditions of that is that there should be adequate off-street parking for vehicles, and they'd probably also require planning permission if operating from their home address.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

You can check your postcode and/or any company names on the livery at
https://www.gov.uk/find-vehicle-operators and
https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-operator-licence-...

It may be a bit early to check a business address if it has just moved, but you can check some details from Companies House on-line.

[SantaBarbara]

Check their Badge numbers with the local authority Licenced taxi rules

[oldbanger]

Pica-Pica said:

It may be a bit early to check a business address if it has just moved, but you can check some details from Companies House on-line.

If they have an o-licence then they have 28 days to inform the Traffic Commissioner of a change of address - nothing to do with Companies House. If they haven't updated the address, their company name, if visible, should still come up on the search. If they don't have an o-licence then they are probably operating illegally.

I know that on the haulage side of things that the DVSA are pretty strict on breaches of O-licence conditions, so I can't imagine they'd be slack about PSVs.

The DVSA have a helpline and the relevant local council licensing team are likely to be very responsive too.

Edited by oldbanger on Monday 2nd October 13:32

[Jag_NE]

ColinM50 said:

We're the end house on a small Close and outside our house is a turning area. There's only six houses in the Close and we all have two car drives. We can comfortably fit four on our drive but one house has a shorter drive and can only fit two normal sized cars in. It's recently been sold and it seems a mini bus taxi company have moved in.

They have three large nine/twelve seater taxi registered mini buses and because they can't get them on the drive as well as their two Sportages, they've taken to parking all three outside my house in the turning circle.

I've checked that the taxis all taxed and assume insured and whilst I know I don't own the road and they can park where they like, it's starting to be an issue. Not had a word with the new neighbour yet but after some advice as to what to say.

Any pointers please?

As another poster stated, hopefully this is a temporary thing. I don't care if its legal or not, bellying up 3 mini buses outside of your neighbours house every day just isn't cricket.

[Pica-Pica]

oldbanger said:

Pica-Pica said:

It may be a bit early to check a business address if it has just moved, but you can check some details from Companies House on-line.

If they have an o-licence then they have 28 days to inform the Traffic Commissioner of a change of address - nothing to do with Companies House. If they don't have one then they are probably operating illegally.

I know that on the haulage side of things that the DVSA are pretty strict on breaches of O-licence conditions, so I can't imagine they'd be slack about PSVs.

The DVSA have a helpline and the relevant local council licensing team are likely to be very responsive too.

I know it is nothing to do with Companies House!!! That is just a further source.

[oldbanger]

Pica-Pica said:

I know it is nothing to do with Companies House!!! That is just a further source.

OK

By the way, just to make it complicated, you don't have to have a company to have an o-licence. You can apply for one as a sole trader or non-limited company as well.

[R4PID]

Jag_NE said:

As another poster stated, hopefully this is a temporary thing. I don't care if its legal or not, bellying up 3 mini buses outside of your neighbours house every day just isn't cricket.

Too right. If it is temporary then why not spend a few mins posting a note through or telling the other 6 houses so they don't worry. As a new resident that would be the neighbourly thing to do. The fact this hasn't happened doesn't bode well IMHO.

[Pica-Pica]

Or just ask another neighbour, in passing, 'did you order the minibus?, or (mischievously), I hope that hen party is not too rowdy.

[SantaBarbara]

Park your wagons there First

[Jag_NE]

R4PID said:

Too right. If it is temporary then why not spend a few mins posting a note through or telling the other 6 houses so they don't worry. As a new resident that would be the neighbourly thing to do. The fact this hasn't happened doesn't bode well IMHO.

spot on. respectful people would communicate up front.

im surprised nobody has arrived to tell him he doesn't own the road in front of his own house yet...

[Pica-Pica]

Circle the wagons!

[xjay1337]

I wonder how long it is until there is a slanging match and someone feels the need to dominate the driveway.

[surveyor_101]

The Surveyor said:

Introduce yourself and have a neighbourly chat, mention the minibuses and it may be just a temporary thing as they get settled in = nothing to be concerned about.

If they have bought the house and intend to use it as the base for their minibus business then things may need to get a little less cordial. If they are legally parked then you are going to need to look whether there are any easements which restrict the parking of commercial vehicles on the close. This is common on new developments but less so on older ones.

Also, check to see if they have planning consent to use this dwelling for commercial purposes. If they don't then they shouldn't be using their home as the base for a minibus business.

Good luck.

Whilst that nice, its a 50/50 of going well and having the desired affect or.....the neighbour gets funny and or nothing changes and you take further action later, the neighbour knows its you who grassed!