Smart repair firm next door
Discussion
We recently moved buying house from an old lady with no car.
All is good and neighbours are generally nice apart from one issue...they operate a smart repair company from their drive - bump, scuffs etc.
I am OCD with my car and detail it and was met by suprise when I asked them to move it well away from my car and use the transit as a barrier.
I don't want to fall out but I am not happy that next door use their drive as some sort of bodyshop...they do prob 2 cars a week.
So - am I being unreasonable, any legal rights and more broadly what would you do?
I have no idea why they don't perform the repairs at the customers houses which is how I see it done everywhere else.
Help, guidance appreciated
All is good and neighbours are generally nice apart from one issue...they operate a smart repair company from their drive - bump, scuffs etc.
I am OCD with my car and detail it and was met by suprise when I asked them to move it well away from my car and use the transit as a barrier.
I don't want to fall out but I am not happy that next door use their drive as some sort of bodyshop...they do prob 2 cars a week.
So - am I being unreasonable, any legal rights and more broadly what would you do?
I have no idea why they don't perform the repairs at the customers houses which is how I see it done everywhere else.
Help, guidance appreciated
Quick search came up with the following. I think part two is of particular interest.
AI Search Summary said:
Firstly, operating a commercial vehicle repair business from a residential property typically requires planning permission. Local councils assess whether the activity constitutes a change of use from residential to commercial, which may not be permitted without approval.
If the business involves regular customer traffic, the presence of multiple vehicles, or significant noise and fumes, it is likely to be considered a breach of planning regulations.
In such cases, the local council's planning department should be contacted to investigate.
Secondly, repairing vehicles on a public road for gain or reward is an offence under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
This includes activities like working on vehicles in driveways that extend onto public roads, especially if they involve tools, waste disposal, or significant noise.
Additionally, if the work is conducted during antisocial hours—such as after 11 PM—this may constitute a noise nuisance, which can be reported to environmental health or local authorities.
If the business involves regular customer traffic, the presence of multiple vehicles, or significant noise and fumes, it is likely to be considered a breach of planning regulations.
In such cases, the local council's planning department should be contacted to investigate.
Secondly, repairing vehicles on a public road for gain or reward is an offence under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
This includes activities like working on vehicles in driveways that extend onto public roads, especially if they involve tools, waste disposal, or significant noise.
Additionally, if the work is conducted during antisocial hours—such as after 11 PM—this may constitute a noise nuisance, which can be reported to environmental health or local authorities.
imagine you can cause some bother for him at the risk of falling out
car repair set up in residential street
constant smell of paint /dust
is he properly insured if the paint catches fire etc
i think id see how it goes , make it very clear you wont be accepting any overspray on your cars and all hell will break loose if it does , he might change his ways and be an ok person , could be feral kids living there instead
car repair set up in residential street
constant smell of paint /dust
is he properly insured if the paint catches fire etc
i think id see how it goes , make it very clear you wont be accepting any overspray on your cars and all hell will break loose if it does , he might change his ways and be an ok person , could be feral kids living there instead
Interesting situation.
There is a 'one man band' type smart repair bloke round the corner from me who does the same. You know when he's working on his drive as you can smell the paint from couple of roads away when it is carried in the wind and i've often wondered about overspray in the air.
I am with the OP on this one....surely this can't be an acceptable means of operating as a business? The smell, chemicals, dust & general fumes, directly adjacent to people's homes? I can only imagine that these should always be tented operations, with masks for operatives but maybe also small provision where it has the potential to impact others?
Is there room to put up a fence or wall between the driveways / front gardens?
There is a 'one man band' type smart repair bloke round the corner from me who does the same. You know when he's working on his drive as you can smell the paint from couple of roads away when it is carried in the wind and i've often wondered about overspray in the air.
I am with the OP on this one....surely this can't be an acceptable means of operating as a business? The smell, chemicals, dust & general fumes, directly adjacent to people's homes? I can only imagine that these should always be tented operations, with masks for operatives but maybe also small provision where it has the potential to impact others?
Is there room to put up a fence or wall between the driveways / front gardens?
Edited by MattyD803 on Monday 3rd November 11:16
If the neighbour is only working on a couple of cars a week on the drive, that can't be a particularly profitable business.
Is the neighbour someone who primarily operates as a "mobile" repair business, i.e. mostly travels to the customer but stores his van at home when not working? If so, is it under some kind of franchise (Chipsaway, Revive etc.?)
If the neighbour is working under a franchise for a bigger company, it would be worth checking with them what their policies are on this - I suspect it isn't allowed, and they probably also have rules on how their franchisees are supposed to protect neighbouring properties as they would be working on people's driveways most of the time.
The national companies will be very sensitive about their brand reputation so won't want a franchisee damaging that. A complaint to them is probably more likely to be effective than the full blown legal route via the council.
Is the neighbour someone who primarily operates as a "mobile" repair business, i.e. mostly travels to the customer but stores his van at home when not working? If so, is it under some kind of franchise (Chipsaway, Revive etc.?)
If the neighbour is working under a franchise for a bigger company, it would be worth checking with them what their policies are on this - I suspect it isn't allowed, and they probably also have rules on how their franchisees are supposed to protect neighbouring properties as they would be working on people's driveways most of the time.
The national companies will be very sensitive about their brand reputation so won't want a franchisee damaging that. A complaint to them is probably more likely to be effective than the full blown legal route via the council.
The Rotrex Kid said:
I would say you have 3 options
Buy the house, live with it and hope they don't spray your car
Buy the house, have a fall out/shop them in for doing stuff they probably shouldn't be going
Don't buy the house.
The OP has already bought the house and is living thereBuy the house, live with it and hope they don't spray your car
Buy the house, have a fall out/shop them in for doing stuff they probably shouldn't be going
Don't buy the house.
As an ex car sprayer I know just how far overspray and dust from sanding can travel, it's not acceptable that your neighbour is doing this on his driveway.
If he won't stop after being asked politely I'd tell him I'm going to report him
Edited by Bluevanman on Monday 3rd November 11:16
At a guess, if he's only doing a couple of jobs at home per week I'm assuming the chap is probably mobile but does a few customers on the driveway. Either way I wouldn't be best pleased if there was a possibility of overspray hitting my car either.
I think you're within your rights to ask them to do the jobs as far from your car as possible and as you say, use their van to block it in. It's likely you wouldn't have any issues but I'd not want to hassle of having to remove overspray if it did happen.
I'd start by requesting that, and you'd hope they'd be pragmatic and do that. It's likely they're not entirely allowed to do what they're doing so they'd be best keeping you on-site. I certainly know when I moved into my house, as part of the deeds it stated that the property is not to be used for running a business.
I think you're within your rights to ask them to do the jobs as far from your car as possible and as you say, use their van to block it in. It's likely you wouldn't have any issues but I'd not want to hassle of having to remove overspray if it did happen.
I'd start by requesting that, and you'd hope they'd be pragmatic and do that. It's likely they're not entirely allowed to do what they're doing so they'd be best keeping you on-site. I certainly know when I moved into my house, as part of the deeds it stated that the property is not to be used for running a business.
Thanks for all the builds.
For clarity, we have bought the house and moving is not an option.
Next door seem to own the franchise for the area and they bring their drivers to their house to do the selected
spray jobs on the drive.
The rest of the time they are mobile.
I spoke to a few of drivers and got salty comments..its just not on. I think general consensus is another chat and then council route if things don't change.
For clarity, we have bought the house and moving is not an option.
Next door seem to own the franchise for the area and they bring their drivers to their house to do the selected
spray jobs on the drive.
The rest of the time they are mobile.
I spoke to a few of drivers and got salty comments..its just not on. I think general consensus is another chat and then council route if things don't change.
Bluevanman said:
The Rotrex Kid said:
I would say you have 3 options
Buy the house, live with it and hope they don't spray your car
Buy the house, have a fall out/shop them in for doing stuff they probably shouldn't be going
Don't buy the house.
The OP has already bought the house and is living thereBuy the house, live with it and hope they don't spray your car
Buy the house, have a fall out/shop them in for doing stuff they probably shouldn't be going
Don't buy the house.
Falling out with neighbours can really make life difficult.
I would be loath to 'dob them in' to authorities just yet, and keep that the nuclear option.
You haven't been unreasonable in asking for a barrier between the spraying and your car.
And if any overspray does appear you can ask them to clay bar the car to get it off.
I would be loath to 'dob them in' to authorities just yet, and keep that the nuclear option.
You haven't been unreasonable in asking for a barrier between the spraying and your car.
And if any overspray does appear you can ask them to clay bar the car to get it off.
f
king hell I'd be livid.
I would not stand for that in any way whatsoever, even if it means falling out with them.
Aside from overspray on the car, there's your house windows etc, the smell and it's not really a good look either having vans hanging around and some chogie spraying stuff out the front. fk that st.
It's just not on and I'd be getting it sorted by whatever means necessary.
king hell I'd be livid.I would not stand for that in any way whatsoever, even if it means falling out with them.
Aside from overspray on the car, there's your house windows etc, the smell and it's not really a good look either having vans hanging around and some chogie spraying stuff out the front. f
k that st.It's just not on and I'd be getting it sorted by whatever means necessary.
swisstoni said:
Falling out with neighbours can really make life difficult.
I would be loath to 'dob them in' to authorities just yet, and keep that the nuclear option.
You haven't been unreasonable in asking for a barrier between the spraying and your car.
And if any overspray does appear you can ask them to clay bar the car to get it off.
I agree.I would be loath to 'dob them in' to authorities just yet, and keep that the nuclear option.
You haven't been unreasonable in asking for a barrier between the spraying and your car.
And if any overspray does appear you can ask them to clay bar the car to get it off.
Too many people just let things go these days and put up with all sorts of issues.
Personally I wouldn’t bother trying to reason and get it reported to the local authority asap.
Inbox said:
Didn't you visit the house at different times of day/evening to get a feel for the area?
Also why didn't the seller inform you of this, we all know why they didn't so a call to your conveyancing solicitor is probably in order to see what can potentially be done about it.
But if they're only doing it 'twice a week' it would be pot luck to catch them at it.Also why didn't the seller inform you of this, we all know why they didn't so a call to your conveyancing solicitor is probably in order to see what can potentially be done about it.
Then seller would just wants it sold, so why would they say anything even if it bothered them/her!
Edit for spelling and to wish OP best of luck getting a suitable resolution.
Edited by Fady on Monday 3rd November 18:24
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff