Flats with private parking
Discussion
Aspects of this have been covered on numerous occasions, but I've had another recent encounter with an educationally sub normal imbecile recently that has got me wondering where I would stand if I went ahead and followed my instincts.
A garage I recently took over as a rental in the complex I live in, was blocked by a none resident overnight at the weekend, despite the fact there is a "no parking" sign clearly displayed on the door, The buildings have allocated private parking for residents, with multiple signs advising this. The car in question, I believe, belonged to the friend of a tenant in that part of the block, but there are 135 properties there, so not obvious how to locate the tenant or car owner.
From previous experience, the police won't involve themselves in these situations, as it's on private land. Which makes me wonder.....if I were to smash the window of the offending vehicle to release the handbrake, where would I stand? Given the lack of police interest in the cause of the situation because it's private, how would they view this as an outcome? I keep my work van in this garage, and feel it's reasonable to expect to access it whenever I want or need to.
A garage I recently took over as a rental in the complex I live in, was blocked by a none resident overnight at the weekend, despite the fact there is a "no parking" sign clearly displayed on the door, The buildings have allocated private parking for residents, with multiple signs advising this. The car in question, I believe, belonged to the friend of a tenant in that part of the block, but there are 135 properties there, so not obvious how to locate the tenant or car owner.
From previous experience, the police won't involve themselves in these situations, as it's on private land. Which makes me wonder.....if I were to smash the window of the offending vehicle to release the handbrake, where would I stand? Given the lack of police interest in the cause of the situation because it's private, how would they view this as an outcome? I keep my work van in this garage, and feel it's reasonable to expect to access it whenever I want or need to.
Alex Z said:
That would still be criminal damage.
If you could lift the rear corner and pop a plastic tray under each wheel so it could be slid without damage however…
Then the twunt of a driver would probably get back at you.
Not too worried about retaliation from others, I've been here 14 years and never had a comeback. Sorry, I know how that must sound........your first sentence also answers the question about assault on private property, a side effect of punching someone I caught trying the doors on my house, cars and others property a month ago, in the middle of the night. If you could lift the rear corner and pop a plastic tray under each wheel so it could be slid without damage however…
Then the twunt of a driver would probably get back at you.
Stitches in my hand, hepatitis shot, blood test for aids from where his teeth punctured a vein, and a broken watch. Still waiting to see where I am with the police with that!
Edited by Heaveho on Tuesday 20th February 22:43
Heaveho said:
Not too worried about retaliation from others, I've been here 14 years and never had a comeback.
Stitches in my hand, hepatitis shot, blood test for aids from where his teeth punctured a vein, and a broken watch. Still waiting to see where I am with the police with that!
You're obviously such a bad-ass, why are you posting on here for advice? Just get stuck in!Stitches in my hand, hepatitis shot, blood test for aids from where his teeth punctured a vein, and a broken watch. Still waiting to see where I am with the police with that!
I would startparking your car or van in front of the garage. If you've only just taken it over, perhaps they are used to the garage being unused. Falling that, have a word with anyone parking in front of it, granted this time you don't know who it was.
We had a similar issue when we moved into our current house. Previous tenants were OAPs with no car. Everyone else in the street would park at our house as the spaces were previously unused. Took a while of us having our cars there for everyone to get the hint and park elsewhere. I offer some patience to anyone who doesn't stay there popping in and parking but whoever lives there should be checking where their guests have parked if parking is an issue in the area. Live and let live.
We had a similar issue when we moved into our current house. Previous tenants were OAPs with no car. Everyone else in the street would park at our house as the spaces were previously unused. Took a while of us having our cars there for everyone to get the hint and park elsewhere. I offer some patience to anyone who doesn't stay there popping in and parking but whoever lives there should be checking where their guests have parked if parking is an issue in the area. Live and let live.
Heaveho said:
Not too worried about retaliation from others,
If you're not too worried about escalating retaliation then glueing "Please do not park here" notes to his windscreen might be effective? It doesn't cause permanent damage but is f'king annoying to clean You would then hope they get the message.Unfortunately a perennial problem in society when entitled ar5eholes dont give a toss about others.
I had this problem where I used to live. No one seemd to think the 2ft high "No parking - Keep clear" sign on the garage door applied to them.
The alleyway that my garage opened on to was wide enough for two cars. Parking opposite my garage blocked access and egress just as much as parking directly in front of the door.
I solved the issue by filling two 42 litre garden trugs with concrete. Embedded in the centre of each was a 4ft scaffold pole. The pole was drilled at the top and a chain ran between the trugs, with a padlock at one end to give me easy access. I have a feeling that I hung a laminated sign off the chain for a while: "Parking here blocks garage access" or similar.
I placed the trugs opposite the garage door, such that it was impossible to park opposite, the trugs and chain taking as much space as a parked car. Anyone parking immediately in front of the garage door now blocked the whole alleyway.
Yes, it wasn't that hard to move the trugs, but they were too heavy to move far, especially when chained together. Only once did the trugs get moved, and I suspect it was to get a lorry down the alleyway.
The alleyway that my garage opened on to was wide enough for two cars. Parking opposite my garage blocked access and egress just as much as parking directly in front of the door.
I solved the issue by filling two 42 litre garden trugs with concrete. Embedded in the centre of each was a 4ft scaffold pole. The pole was drilled at the top and a chain ran between the trugs, with a padlock at one end to give me easy access. I have a feeling that I hung a laminated sign off the chain for a while: "Parking here blocks garage access" or similar.
I placed the trugs opposite the garage door, such that it was impossible to park opposite, the trugs and chain taking as much space as a parked car. Anyone parking immediately in front of the garage door now blocked the whole alleyway.
Yes, it wasn't that hard to move the trugs, but they were too heavy to move far, especially when chained together. Only once did the trugs get moved, and I suspect it was to get a lorry down the alleyway.
paulwirral said:
Heaveho said:
Sebring440 said:
You're obviously such a bad-ass, why are you posting on here for advice? Just get stuck in!
Yeah, whatever.
Each to their own. Everyone's different. I would have never met this idiot if he hadn't come to steal stuff, so I've no qualms about wading in when I'm in the right. It's not for everyone, and I went through a time when I was a bit reticent about risking it. I was just unlucky with the wound. Basically just two idiots b
h slapping each other in full view of a communal cctv camera! 
I might try the cones idea someone else suggested. I doubt it'll work though, as they'll just get kicked about by foot traffic to the communal door. Writing notes gets a bit dull after a while. I leave my phone number on them but no-one rings, they just leave. All it does though is stop that particular car coming back. There was another there this morning briefly.
I bought an MR2 Roadster yesterday, I'll start leaving that down there after I pick it up on Thursday, but that'll be going to my mates garage at some point, so it's not a permanent solution.
Many moons ago I had the same problem with some idiot parking in my parking space, I was working 7 nights a week and got home after a 12 hour shift and the car was parked there. I left a note and he ignored it this went on for a week I then parked behind him and he just drove over the grass at that point I snap one morning after getting home exhasted got out of my van and put a screwdriver through his car panels in about six place from front to back and then went to bed never heard a thing about it and he did not park in my space again. The frightening thing about it was how easy it was to penetrate the panels and how easy it is to lose control when you are knarkered, to this day I thank god I did not meet the person who's car it was that morning.
t.boydy said:
So you rent the garage but not the drive in front of it?
Yeah, that's right, although the general rule is that if you're responsible for / own / rent the garage, the space in front is also yours to use. I live in a town house a few doors up with two single garage doors, I park outside both of those, as do all other residents with the same arrangement.
In addition the the small, neat, but still obvious " no parking, keep clear "sign already on the door, I've added another, much larger " do not block this garage " sign today. We'll see. If people still ignore it, temper may prevail.
Edited by Heaveho on Wednesday 21st February 13:20
Zeeky said:
Heaveho said:
...wondering where I would stand if I went ahead and followed my instincts.
In the witness box of a magistrates' court giving evidence in your defence to a charge of criminal damage. From what you've written here, your defence would fail. Yeah, more than likely. Irritating that the police won't involve themselves in the cause, but want to punish the effect though.
Might sound simple but did you leave a note on their window? Won't move the car but might stop them parking there again.
Where I live we have numbered owned spaces but none of the numbers actually correspond to the property numbers. Every time someone new moves in they park in the numbered spot that matches their property rather than their own. A quick note from whoever is blocked out normally sorts it.
Where I live we have numbered owned spaces but none of the numbers actually correspond to the property numbers. Every time someone new moves in they park in the numbered spot that matches their property rather than their own. A quick note from whoever is blocked out normally sorts it.
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