Council removing my legally parked vehicle?
Discussion
MikeM6 said:
Any question that starts with "why should I.....?" is the sign of someone who has not considered others and may lack social awareness. It's a red flag that signals a weak argument may follow.
Doesn't matter if it's legal, it's thoughtless and we could do with less thoughtless behaviour. Honestly, it's disappointing that it needs spelling out.
It's parked legally in a designated space down a side street. We don't know from the OP if it is parked outside someone's house. Doesn't matter if it's legal, it's thoughtless and we could do with less thoughtless behaviour. Honestly, it's disappointing that it needs spelling out.
If it was parked outside my house I might not be too happy about it, but if it was legal then I wouldn't feel justified in complaining about it.
Do you think the council are justified in the action they're taking?
Reminds me of Prince William arriving in St Andrews. Police decided all vehicles on North Street were to be removed so put cones out and notes on cars a few days beforehand. I used my car about once a week so hadn't seen it (had no call to go to that street unless driving).
They lifted my car and just gave me the recovery company details, being really arsey about things. Recovery company were great - said they'd told the police it wasn't a legal uplift. Just said to come get the car and they'd send the bill to the police instead.
They lifted my car and just gave me the recovery company details, being really arsey about things. Recovery company were great - said they'd told the police it wasn't a legal uplift. Just said to come get the car and they'd send the bill to the police instead.
its because people don't like vans and after they have turned up to sort their plumbing, electrical, flooring etc, they wish them to vanish into some magical parking zone that no one can see.
We have a no van term on the lease to our block of flats and its widely ignored, and im one of the directors. People need vans to work.
I have a van that has not moved since November. It won't until spring. I don't need it until then, but when I do, I do.
We have a no van term on the lease to our block of flats and its widely ignored, and im one of the directors. People need vans to work.
I have a van that has not moved since November. It won't until spring. I don't need it until then, but when I do, I do.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Thursday 15th February 08:20
Forester1965 said:
The presumption in a free society should be that, absent a prohibition, you can do the things you want to without state interference. For example, park your taxed and insured van in a place for as long as you want.
Someone might have reported the van as 'dumped' which, if they know no better, is fair enough. You would hope the local authority would then take appropriate steps to understand if it was in fact dumped, or just parked there by someone entitled to.
What'd be unreasonable and unfair, would be for the OP to lose utility of his vehicle and be charged for the pleasure, due to the heinous crime of going about his lawful business.
I think in order to have a true free society, individuals in it need to live harmoniously and understand that their actions, however legal, may be selfish and upset the harmony in a small neighbourhood. Anyone that uses “it’s a free country” as an argument is likely part of the problem. An inconsiderate, small minded ars”. Someone might have reported the van as 'dumped' which, if they know no better, is fair enough. You would hope the local authority would then take appropriate steps to understand if it was in fact dumped, or just parked there by someone entitled to.
What'd be unreasonable and unfair, would be for the OP to lose utility of his vehicle and be charged for the pleasure, due to the heinous crime of going about his lawful business.
jhonn said:
MikeM6 said:
Any question that starts with "why should I.....?" is the sign of someone who has not considered others and may lack social awareness. It's a red flag that signals a weak argument may follow.
Doesn't matter if it's legal, it's thoughtless and we could do with less thoughtless behaviour. Honestly, it's disappointing that it needs spelling out.
It's parked legally in a designated space down a side street. We don't know from the OP if it is parked outside someone's house. Doesn't matter if it's legal, it's thoughtless and we could do with less thoughtless behaviour. Honestly, it's disappointing that it needs spelling out.
If it was parked outside my house I might not be too happy about it, but if it was legal then I wouldn't feel justified in complaining about it.
Do you think the council are justified in the action they're taking?
If someone parked their old van outside your house for 6 months would you be ok with it?
I suggest watching a few cart narcs vids if you can't see the issue.
jhonn said:
It's parked legally in a designated space down a side street. We don't know from the OP if it is parked outside someone's house.
If it was parked outside my house I might not be too happy about it, but if it was legal then I wouldn't feel justified in complaining about it.
Do you think the council are justified in the action they're taking?
I think they ought to have contacted him first to politely ask him to move it. However, we don't know that they didn't. They might have done and it might have been ignored on a "why should I move it?" basis. I don't know that they did or they didn't. If it was parked outside my house I might not be too happy about it, but if it was legal then I wouldn't feel justified in complaining about it.
Do you think the council are justified in the action they're taking?
We know it is parked on a side street, so can confidently presume it's taking a space that someone else might want or need, so it's a good sign the council are trying to do something about it.
However, it is also half term week, and the maturity of the original post might be an indication if what is going on here.
philrs03 said:
I think in order to have a true free society, individuals in it need to live harmoniously and understand that their actions, however legal, may be selfish and upset the harmony in a small neighbourhood. Anyone that uses “it’s a free country” as an argument is likely part of the problem. An inconsiderate, small minded ars”.
One person's reasonable is another's intolerable. For how long should the OP be allowed to park his vehicle on the street unattended? A day? A week? A month? A year? What if it's a Ferrari rather than a van? What if he cleans it every week? Or moves it 10 yards every day? Which arbitrary line in the sand would you impose? Would your neighbour draw their line in the same place?
There are proper ways to go about the issue if people parking their vehicle causes you problems. Lobby your local authority to change the parking regulation in that location. If enough people agree the current situation is intolerable, you'll get that changed . If not, live and let live.
Be very careful cheerleading the authorities taking arbitrary actions against others. One day your reasonable will become another's intolerable and you'll be starting a thread about it on the internet.
aproctor1 said:
MikeM6 said:
Maybe controversial to some, but it sounds like the council were doing the right thing here, by trying to move an eyesore that was taking up a valuable space.
Why have a van and not move it in 6 months? If you don't need the van, move it along and let someone else park there. Try to reduce the negative impact on others.
I would also say that instead of throwing your toys out of the pram and complaining loudly to everyone (copying in others just to escalate), just ask them politely as a starting point. It comes across less confrontational, and may mean you get a less defensive response.
I deal with far too many angry people who just needed to stop, think, and ask instead of shout and be an arse.
Agree completely.Why have a van and not move it in 6 months? If you don't need the van, move it along and let someone else park there. Try to reduce the negative impact on others.
I would also say that instead of throwing your toys out of the pram and complaining loudly to everyone (copying in others just to escalate), just ask them politely as a starting point. It comes across less confrontational, and may mean you get a less defensive response.
I deal with far too many angry people who just needed to stop, think, and ask instead of shout and be an arse.
OP while it may be your right, you also sound a bit of an arse.
Forester1965 said:
ne person's reasonable is another's intolerable.
For how long should the OP be allowed to park his vehicle on the street unattended? A day? A week? A month? A year? What if it's a Ferrari rather than a van? What if he cleans it every week? Or moves it 10 yards every day? Which arbitrary line in the sand would you impose? Would your neighbour draw their line in the same place?
There are proper ways to go about the issue if people parking their vehicle causes you problems. Lobby your local authority to change the parking regulation in that location. If enough people agree the current situation is intolerable, you'll get that changed . If not, live and let live.
Be very careful cheerleading the authorities taking arbitrary actions against others. One day your reasonable will become another's intolerable and you'll be starting a thread about it on the internet.
I totally agree with the last statement. I am absolutely on board with your way of thinking. I would have handled it slightly differently personally, 6 months would have been long enough to locate the owner if it’s parked in a relatively quiet area. I’d have just politely asked what’s happening with the van, would you mind moving it or at least making it look un-abandoned. For how long should the OP be allowed to park his vehicle on the street unattended? A day? A week? A month? A year? What if it's a Ferrari rather than a van? What if he cleans it every week? Or moves it 10 yards every day? Which arbitrary line in the sand would you impose? Would your neighbour draw their line in the same place?
There are proper ways to go about the issue if people parking their vehicle causes you problems. Lobby your local authority to change the parking regulation in that location. If enough people agree the current situation is intolerable, you'll get that changed . If not, live and let live.
Be very careful cheerleading the authorities taking arbitrary actions against others. One day your reasonable will become another's intolerable and you'll be starting a thread about it on the internet.
Unfortunately, the problem with today’s “I’m alright Jack” society is that it likely would have fallen on deaf ears.
Op, when you get the letter from the council asking you if it was abandoned or not, what did you do?
To get to a destruction notice placed on your vehicle by a civil enforcement officer is a very long winded process and doesn’t happen overnight. If the council has done the job properly you will have had the opportunity to let the council know.
To get to a destruction notice placed on your vehicle by a civil enforcement officer is a very long winded process and doesn’t happen overnight. If the council has done the job properly you will have had the opportunity to let the council know.
The van is on a road lined with houses. It is not directly outside someone's front door, and neither is it visible from neighbours windows due to 10ft high hedges.
No letter has been received, merely a sticker has been placed on the window telling me to claim it within 7 days or else.
I agree it looks like an eyesore (I will be cleaning it), but that's no grounds to threaten owners with scrappage for a legally parked vehicle. Regardless of people's opinions, everything concerning the vehicle is above board. You can't just take people's property or saddle them with financial loss because 'reasons'. It makes a mockery of the law in the first place.
No letter has been received, merely a sticker has been placed on the window telling me to claim it within 7 days or else.
I agree it looks like an eyesore (I will be cleaning it), but that's no grounds to threaten owners with scrappage for a legally parked vehicle. Regardless of people's opinions, everything concerning the vehicle is above board. You can't just take people's property or saddle them with financial loss because 'reasons'. It makes a mockery of the law in the first place.
MikeM6 said:
I think they ought to have contacted him first to politely ask him to move it. However, we don't know that they didn't. They might have done and it might have been ignored on a "why should I move it?" basis. I don't know that they did or they didn't.
I still don't see why the council would be entitled to 'politely ask him to move it'. They have the means to check whether the car is taxed/insured and entitled to be there. Where should he move it to?MikeM6 said:
However, it is also half term week, and the maturity of the original post might be an indication if what is going on here.
Looking at the OP's posting history I'm confident that that is not the case here.fasimew said:
The van is on a road lined with houses. It is not directly outside someone's front door, and neither is it visible from neighbours windows due to 10ft high hedges.
No letter has been received, merely a sticker has been placed on the window telling me to claim it within 7 days or else.
I agree it looks like an eyesore (I will be cleaning it), but that's no grounds to threaten owners with scrappage for a legally parked vehicle. Regardless of people's opinions, everything concerning the vehicle is above board. You can't just take people's property or saddle them with financial loss because 'reasons'. It makes a mockery of the law in the first place.
If everyone in the street behaved like that and dumped an old van, you'd have an issue with it. No letter has been received, merely a sticker has been placed on the window telling me to claim it within 7 days or else.
I agree it looks like an eyesore (I will be cleaning it), but that's no grounds to threaten owners with scrappage for a legally parked vehicle. Regardless of people's opinions, everything concerning the vehicle is above board. You can't just take people's property or saddle them with financial loss because 'reasons'. It makes a mockery of the law in the first place.
Hammersia said:
If everyone in the street behaved like that and dumped an old van, you'd have an issue with it.
I'm sure some people would. But their opinions don't outweigh the rule of law. It's either lawful or it's not. You can't discriminate and make up your own rules as you see fit.Hammersia said:
If everyone in the street behaved like that and dumped an old van, you'd have an issue with it.
Yet not everyone does (or will). You're using a hypothetical, apocalyptic scenario to justify a dislike of one person doing something. If everybody did it, the council would have no choice but to introduce restrictions and the problem would not exist.fasimew said:
I'm sure some people would. But their opinions don't outweigh the rule of law. It's either lawful or it's not. You can't discriminate and make up your own rules as you see fit.
Translated: I’m a selfish, self absorbed arse, I don’t care what people think or why they may have an issue, it’s legal so I’m doing it anyway regardless of it irritating (clearly) a few people in the neighbourhood. This is why we have to have a society with rules, regulations and processes. Because people can’t abide by rule number one: don’t be a dick. It sounds like (if the street is lined with 10ft hedges), it may be a nice area. If you can’t think of a single reason why people have issue with a grubby, abandoned van taking up space on the road (where residents guests may want to park when visiting) i suggest the problem isn’t the councils. It’s yours.
Bluevanman said:
It might be legal but I doubt it's road worthy after being dumped,sorry parked,for 6 months.
The brakes are likely to be stuck on for a start,tyres might be flat as could be the battery.
Even if you don't use it much it's worth starting it up and driving round the block every once in a while
This was my thoughts too.The brakes are likely to be stuck on for a start,tyres might be flat as could be the battery.
Even if you don't use it much it's worth starting it up and driving round the block every once in a while
Valid tax, MOT and Insurance don't = roadworthy
fasimew said:
I'm thoroughly annoyed with Croydon council. I have a van which is taxed, mot'd and insured. It's legally parked on the road in a designated parking bay. I don't drive the van much, and it's been sat for at least 6 months.
The van is parked on a side road to my house, and I don't check on it that often. I walked past the van this evening to find a notice of removal sticker placed on the window telling me that they're going to remove it unless I contact them within 7 days (it's been 6 days since the sticker was placed on it). Ok it looks filthy. But how is it legal to remove a legally parked vehicle? Isn't this harassment?
The notice says that if my vehicle is taken, claims may be subject to removal and storage fees, or destroyed if the value of it is less than the cost of removal.
Obviously I'm going to contact them and give them a few choice words, but what recourse do I have if I hadn't spotted this in time and they'd scrapped my vehicle?
You say it is taxed, mot'd and insured. Have you checked to see if it is (still) registered in your name/address?The van is parked on a side road to my house, and I don't check on it that often. I walked past the van this evening to find a notice of removal sticker placed on the window telling me that they're going to remove it unless I contact them within 7 days (it's been 6 days since the sticker was placed on it). Ok it looks filthy. But how is it legal to remove a legally parked vehicle? Isn't this harassment?
The notice says that if my vehicle is taken, claims may be subject to removal and storage fees, or destroyed if the value of it is less than the cost of removal.
Obviously I'm going to contact them and give them a few choice words, but what recourse do I have if I hadn't spotted this in time and they'd scrapped my vehicle?
Edited by fasimew on Thursday 15th February 03:47
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff