Moan, Moan Moan!

[DervVW]

This seems like miserable neighbour stuff and it is...

So opposite my drive on a narrow side road the neighbours are constantly repairing cars, but its in the road, as they don't have a drive.

Now I'm all for a bit of home mechanic's but its constant, there is always a car there, sometimes the same one for months on end.

I've had a friendly word with the fella and he seems ok, but his attiude is that the cars are staying and there's nothing I can do as he's doing nothing wrong. I suppose he isn't, its just parking is a bit mad now so getting on and off my drive is tricky with all cars parked around it on a narrow road.

Oh and reg on current car isn't recognised by DVLA website.

[dingg]

so what is the question ? or problem?

[t400ble]

Speak to your local council if its an issue

[hedgefinder]

could be worse, neighbour could have a car with a massive oil leak - which he has no intention of even looking at even after it being brought to his attention - when it rains gets carried down a slight incline from his driveway and runs all over your new driveway and the adjoing pathway......

[PurpleMoonlight]

Nothing stopping him working from home, but he can't use the highway as his trade premises.

Report it to the council.

[Retroman]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That's what i was thinking as well. If the vehicles are his own and they're road legal, i don't see what the issue is.

[fangio]

Still not allowed to repair them in the road, unless they've changed the law since the '90s....

[Digitalize]

I'd imagine the issue could/would be that the cars are not in a road legal state when left.

[daytona355]

I believe there's a limit to how many cars someone can work on from a private address, even in their garage. I have an uncle who was a mechanic by trade, and used to fix cars on nights off and weekends. The council were told by his nosy neighbour, and they imposed some kind of limit - I don't know how many - but once he did a certain number of cars a year, he had to stop or the council would take action (again, I've no idea what), so I would imagine they would say the same to this chap, they can't stop him fixing cars, but he can't do it as a commercial enterprise from the street.

[RB Will]

daytona355 said:

I believe there's a limit to how many cars someone can work on from a private address, even in their garage. I have an uncle who was a mechanic by trade, and used to fix cars on nights off and weekends. The council were told by his nosy neighbour, and they imposed some kind of limit - I don't know how many - but once he did a certain number of cars a year, he had to stop or the council would take action (again, I've no idea what), so I would imagine they would say the same to this chap, they can't stop him fixing cars, but he can't do it as a commercial enterprise from the street.

I think you are right with this but I can't remember the limit either, before my mate got serious and got his own premises he used to do spannering jobs at his mums house. Even with it on the driveway one of the neighbours complained and he had a warning to limit the work.

[Who me ?]

IF someone is operating a repair business from home, a simple complaint to council is simply that- a complaint without proof. Far better to sit back and take notes-car registrations /dates/ times etc. It could well be that bloke has a car ( or two ) that need a lot of work to keep them roadworthy.

[mikeveal]

Section 4 of the Clean neighbourhood act makes it an offence to repair a motor vehicle on the road. However a person shall not be guilty of that offence if they can prove that they are not carrying out the repairs for gain or reward, or in the course of operating a business (section 4 (3)).

You need evidence of multiple vehicles being repaired over a long period of time, or your council may use lack of evidence as an excuse for inaction.

[Nik da Greek]

I was under the impression that you have to insure a vehicle that's kept on the road? And if it isn't registered then surely it can't be insured? Or am I missing something blindingly obvious?

[mikeveal]

Yes, it is possible to insure a vehicle that isn't registered. But it must be registered, insured and have a current MOT if the tyres are on the road. There are some very limited exceptions.

[Nik da Greek]

mikeveal said:

if the tyres are on the road.

So so long as they're up on bricks there's no reason he can't keep an entire fleet of uninsured cars on the road? Seems odd, dunnit

[mikeveal]

Bricks probably not allowed. But on a trailer definitely is allowed.

[QBee]

Running a business from your own home may/will contravene planning laws, especially is if stops neighbours from the quiet enjoyment of their homes.

The offender may have to pay business rates, or he/she may be told to stop.
I think that is what a few posts are alluding to.

[TooMany2cvs]

Nik da Greek said:

I was under the impression that you have to insure a vehicle that's kept on the road? And if it isn't registered then surely it can't be insured? Or am I missing something blindingly obvious?

You can't register a vehicle unless it's insured.

[Roo]

TooMany2cvs said:

You can't register a vehicle unless it's insured.

You don't need insurance to register a vehicle.

[TooMany2cvs]

Roo said:

TooMany2cvs said:

You can't register a vehicle unless it's insured.

You don't need insurance to register a vehicle.

Yes, you do. When you send a V55/5 off, you need to include CoC (if <10yr old), MOT (if 3yr+), insurance, reg fee, and price of at least six mo tax, as well as proof of age/previous registration abroad etc.

I suspect you don't mean "register".