Inconsiderate neighbourly parking - New restrictions?
Discussion
I'll try cut a fairly long story much shorter that affects my neighbours, and not so much me directly.
I live in a new development in Kent. It's a mixture of detached, semi-detached and somewhat more affordable terraced housing. Because it's just out of town naturally everyone has cars for convenience of commuting and getting about. Some of the properties are larger and have garages and others do not. The roads around the estate are quite narrow though.
Now, MOST people are considerate enough to park on their drive, in their garage, or in the overflow parking that is conveniently provided, clearly marked and only a 1minute walk away.
Problem comes in with a particularly nasty sort of 'dog-family' that, knowing fully well they have only one allocated space by the terraced housing, have nevertheless decided to purchase and own 4 cars. The older git and his remarkably self-entitled wife park across the entrance to my neighbours' shared drive (opposite side to the dropped kerb). Given the narrowness of the street this causes them significant difficulty in accessing or leaving their properties.
It all came to a head this weekend, and I sought more info.
Turns out my neighbours have been more than reasonable, in politely requesting numerous times over the last year that the guy and his wife not park their cars across the entrance due to the notorious difficulty it creates. They have written multiple letters to the estate body corporate, the developer, the police and more recently the council (they all say they will review the situation).
During the confrontation this weekend it became obvious the guy and his wife are complete self-entitled bellends with a penchant for thinking the world owes them, that everyone else is 2nd order, and they don't give a toss about being neighbourly, mannered or considerate in the least whatsoever. Which is unfortunate given how well-mannered and kind everyone else in this development has managed to get along hitherto.
Note, this is a private road on a private estate and not yet adopted by the council, and so is maintained by our estate body corporate. There is no public thoroughfare (given it's a closed estate anyway) and to my knowledge also no public right of use.
Given the above t
ttery, we will instead seek to have the specific problem area demarcated as a controlled no parking zone, after which some enforcement will be possible - my question is thus, does anyone know the process to have an area adopted as a controlled zone for parking on a private road (that may or may not later be adopted by the council in future)??
(Well aware of suggestions of ramming cars as put forward by my other neighbours).
I live in a new development in Kent. It's a mixture of detached, semi-detached and somewhat more affordable terraced housing. Because it's just out of town naturally everyone has cars for convenience of commuting and getting about. Some of the properties are larger and have garages and others do not. The roads around the estate are quite narrow though.
Now, MOST people are considerate enough to park on their drive, in their garage, or in the overflow parking that is conveniently provided, clearly marked and only a 1minute walk away.
Problem comes in with a particularly nasty sort of 'dog-family' that, knowing fully well they have only one allocated space by the terraced housing, have nevertheless decided to purchase and own 4 cars. The older git and his remarkably self-entitled wife park across the entrance to my neighbours' shared drive (opposite side to the dropped kerb). Given the narrowness of the street this causes them significant difficulty in accessing or leaving their properties.
It all came to a head this weekend, and I sought more info.
Turns out my neighbours have been more than reasonable, in politely requesting numerous times over the last year that the guy and his wife not park their cars across the entrance due to the notorious difficulty it creates. They have written multiple letters to the estate body corporate, the developer, the police and more recently the council (they all say they will review the situation).
During the confrontation this weekend it became obvious the guy and his wife are complete self-entitled bellends with a penchant for thinking the world owes them, that everyone else is 2nd order, and they don't give a toss about being neighbourly, mannered or considerate in the least whatsoever. Which is unfortunate given how well-mannered and kind everyone else in this development has managed to get along hitherto.
Note, this is a private road on a private estate and not yet adopted by the council, and so is maintained by our estate body corporate. There is no public thoroughfare (given it's a closed estate anyway) and to my knowledge also no public right of use.
Given the above t
ttery, we will instead seek to have the specific problem area demarcated as a controlled no parking zone, after which some enforcement will be possible - my question is thus, does anyone know the process to have an area adopted as a controlled zone for parking on a private road (that may or may not later be adopted by the council in future)??(Well aware of suggestions of ramming cars as put forward by my other neighbours).
Edited by Mr_Megalomaniac on Monday 17th February 14:37
The vultures could work - but my two concerns are that it would likely escalate the situation with Mr. Unreasonable, and I'm not sure what basis (yet) they would have to clamp or do something.
What he's doing is definitely obstructive, inconsiderate and all round awful behaviour, but I am not certain violates the law (I'm not too clear on parking opposite to a dropped kerb versus parking across one?)
What he's doing is definitely obstructive, inconsiderate and all round awful behaviour, but I am not certain violates the law (I'm not too clear on parking opposite to a dropped kerb versus parking across one?)
julian64 said:
Just for clarification is the road wide enough for two cars to pass? If so I can't see the chap parking on the opposite side of the road is doing anything wrong. If its a single lane, one way only I can se ethe problem.
Hardly - like, barely. Might for a small car being within 1mm of the kerb, but no way that two large modern mommy SUVs are going past it.Issue comes in less about getting past, as opposed to blocking access to the drive.
This is why I mention the estate will be looking to implement the No Parking demarcation as a modification because it causes so much strife for everyone.
sibriers said:
Get some red lines painted and allow a parking company to put up signs and enforce where appropriate...
I heard recently about a company called Flashpark, if you know anyone who has had success with them? (I'm assuming the estate would need to approve their use and the red lines?)Drumroll said:
Just going through the process of permitted parking in our village. The new estate although not actually adopted by the council is included in it.
But be careful what you ask for, the scheme our Council are proposing will give permits to all cars registered to a house, but will only allow one visitor permit. Suggestion is that if you have more than one visitor you put their cars on your drive and park your cars on the road.
So your "friends" may well end up with all their cars being permitted. Just think how entitled they would feel then?
Thanks for the perspective and info.But be careful what you ask for, the scheme our Council are proposing will give permits to all cars registered to a house, but will only allow one visitor permit. Suggestion is that if you have more than one visitor you put their cars on your drive and park your cars on the road.
So your "friends" may well end up with all their cars being permitted. Just think how entitled they would feel then?
There is additional visitors parking so we might just use that instead of doing a visitor permits, but it's a good point to keep in mind that it doesn't encourage them.
Instead of applying it to the whole estate, is it possible to just apply a specific zone to one part of a single road?
surveyor_101 said:
98/100 understand common decency says you don't park your car over someones drive.
Can you neighbour not park their car/s blocking their own drive?
Parking is a such a hot topic I have seen and had my fair share of parking disputes and rarely when it descends to a confrontation, unless the problem person/s backs down you in for a lifetime of issues and its just a massive stress causes if it bothers you.
Threaten legal action against the land agent, not alot else you can do.
I had a neighbour who parked on a private off road space and police suggested I put a lockable bollard in front, when I blocked him in. I had a word he threatened me and then called the police when I didn't run scared.
They probably could, although easier would be for them to park in the overflow parking about a 1minute walk away. They're being deliberately difficult at this point with a stroppy attitude.Can you neighbour not park their car/s blocking their own drive?
Parking is a such a hot topic I have seen and had my fair share of parking disputes and rarely when it descends to a confrontation, unless the problem person/s backs down you in for a lifetime of issues and its just a massive stress causes if it bothers you.
Threaten legal action against the land agent, not alot else you can do.
I had a neighbour who parked on a private off road space and police suggested I put a lockable bollard in front, when I blocked him in. I had a word he threatened me and then called the police when I didn't run scared.
Agreed with you that it is massive stress and quite frankly not necessary.
I am surprised your neighbour continued even after you tried to resolve it civilly.
julian64 said:
To be honest you can decide anything you want for a private road as long as you have the backing of everyone to agree to it. However it seems most of the problem is with whoever built a road which was designed for two cars to pass but then made it that small. its rather like new build houses with a garage, but one that is too small for a car to go in.
Did they put a white line going down the middle of the road and then make it only big enough for two cars to pass with a mm gap. Madness
Thanks! That's helpful. Agreed it is the development being too narrow (garages are fairly narrow to be honest) and the road too. There's no demarcating line down the middle of the road, it wouldn't be wide enough. Did they put a white line going down the middle of the road and then make it only big enough for two cars to pass with a mm gap. Madness
As Drumroll said too, the roads are too narrow.
davek_964 said:
I'm not sure I fully understand this answer.
Are you saying that - with the car parked - the road is almost wide enough to get two small cars past it at the same time, and that you could comfortably get a single big car past it?
If so then to be honest I think your neighbour needs to improve their ability to get on and off the driveway. My road is not modem, but is narrow - barely wider than two big cars. We all have driveways, but most of us have multiple cars, and there are some parking spaces between driveways, although they will be opposite other people's driveways. Plus, some people park across their own driveways which inevitably is opposite somebody else's.
All of us manage to get in and out of our driveways regularly. It can be tight - particularly if it's a big car - but it's entirely possible and I'm not aware that anybody has felt the need for parking restrictions.
If there is an overflow car park, I understand that this might not be where they are 'supposed' to park. But from the description it sounds a little like a mountain out of a molehill
Apologies for the lack of clarity. What I'm saying is that with the one car parked by the selfish neighbour, you could *barely* get a small car past, but not a large one.Are you saying that - with the car parked - the road is almost wide enough to get two small cars past it at the same time, and that you could comfortably get a single big car past it?
If so then to be honest I think your neighbour needs to improve their ability to get on and off the driveway. My road is not modem, but is narrow - barely wider than two big cars. We all have driveways, but most of us have multiple cars, and there are some parking spaces between driveways, although they will be opposite other people's driveways. Plus, some people park across their own driveways which inevitably is opposite somebody else's.
All of us manage to get in and out of our driveways regularly. It can be tight - particularly if it's a big car - but it's entirely possible and I'm not aware that anybody has felt the need for parking restrictions.
If there is an overflow car park, I understand that this might not be where they are 'supposed' to park. But from the description it sounds a little like a mountain out of a molehill
With no cars parked, and the road clear you could get a truck by there.
I'm sure the friendly neighbours can 'manage' in the sense that they eventually get it done, but it is with considerable difficulty, a 30 point turn and much wasted time so they don't accidently bump the other car. I think their request is reasonable especially as the other bloke knows he bought a property with 1 spot and has brought 4 cars along to the party.
It needn't be a big issue, but save for the fact the one bloke is being very inconsiderate to others persistently. Personally I'm no fan of parking restrictions but it's the one time I have seen it would actually make life better for people in 3 households who are affected by it. The bloke causing the issue would still suffer no hardship either as there's still ample parking right nearby.
Davel said:
How would an ambulance , fire engine or bin lorry get past ?
Surely the Estate Management company should take this on ?
I really feel for you. What pricks....
On a day like Saturday where it all blew up, they wouldn't be able to. Rozzers did eventually come round hours later to try sort it all out but by then we'd eventually forced the matter.Surely the Estate Management company should take this on ?
I really feel for you. What pricks....
But yes, when the road is blocked, about 14 houses are cut off, and no emergency access can be made.
On more than one occassion when I've been working from home, I have had the bin men knocking on doors asking if the offending party (that nasty bloke/his wife) can move the car.
Yeah it's a combination of factors but yes the development is one of them.
None of the other families park on the road. Most of the drives will accommodate 2 cars with only a few exceptions. This particular area of the estate with the terraced housing seems to be the one exception area, but it's really only one family causing all the issues. The others seem to manage just fine.
As you said, seems like they feel it's their inviolable right to be at all times less than 5m from their front door or some other delusion.
None of the other families park on the road. Most of the drives will accommodate 2 cars with only a few exceptions. This particular area of the estate with the terraced housing seems to be the one exception area, but it's really only one family causing all the issues. The others seem to manage just fine.
As you said, seems like they feel it's their inviolable right to be at all times less than 5m from their front door or some other delusion.
barryrs said:
Is this family a tenant of a housing association?
If so it might be worth complaining to them.
Unfortunately not. This part of the estate is predominantly help-to-buy, so would need to be owner-occupied. I did do a companies house search on that address and nothing showed up so I suspect the association/body corporate which is responsible for the common areas and access ways is the legal entity that would be the only one able to instruct them not to park there?If so it might be worth complaining to them.
But I'm not that well-versed in English law.
So that's why I am wondering what the steps are for a body corporate to be able to place their own restriction and demarcate one area as a no-parking zone.
Flumpo said:
That’s half of the problem. My in laws have a large Victorian property with plenty of space from the surrounding detached properties.
That hasn’t stopped an extended family of taxi drivers buying and sharing one of these houses. What should be ample parking now has 8 normal taxis, a clapped out mini bus and their personal cars. Although the in-laws have a drive, it’s difficult to get in and out and caused chaos for bin men.
With many new builds the government decided if you restrict spaces you restrict cars. The problem, as with my in-laws, is that people buy houses that don’t suit their needs. In this case parking, throw in a good dollop of self entitlement and lack of respect for others and this is what happens.
Yup! 100% This is basically exactly what it is!That hasn’t stopped an extended family of taxi drivers buying and sharing one of these houses. What should be ample parking now has 8 normal taxis, a clapped out mini bus and their personal cars. Although the in-laws have a drive, it’s difficult to get in and out and caused chaos for bin men.
With many new builds the government decided if you restrict spaces you restrict cars. The problem, as with my in-laws, is that people buy houses that don’t suit their needs. In this case parking, throw in a good dollop of self entitlement and lack of respect for others and this is what happens.
I wonder what on Earth happened to our societies in the last few generations that eroded any kind of sense of common decency, manners and consideration. I know it wasn't always the case but definitely feels like things are getting worse with the self-entitled of the world.
Welshbeef said:
That’s a bloody PITA.
Frankly the route cause of the issue is with the poor planning of the development and all the others simply inadequate parking.
I feel for your neighbour.
The thing is as Julian has asked is it a two way or one way street? If it’s two way and therefore big enough for two cars they are in reality breaking no laws.
Parking their own car over their drive would Roulyally piss them off and I’d wager they may then park so tight to the parking exit (on the side of the road the house is) that getting out would require mounting the kerb in the other side due to no angle to turn.
We live in a street where most people have extended drives with space for 3-4 cars. Anyway our Meighbour doesn’t and instead parks one of his two cars on the road. If it gets busy or someone takes “his spot” as soon as that car moves he’s out getting his car on the road and also his second car onto the road too leaving his drive empty but him keeping “his” two spots.
It used to fk me right off / before we had our drive extended as he would also park in such a way you could only get two cars instead of three comfortably in the spaces. Anyway drive for 4-5 cars now and have done for a few years not once had parking space worry and instead simply grin when I see the nonsense that he must worry about
It is a two way road. I wonder if nicking one of their parking spots with an unfriendly type of visitor might at least shed some light on what it feels like.Frankly the route cause of the issue is with the poor planning of the development and all the others simply inadequate parking.
I feel for your neighbour.
The thing is as Julian has asked is it a two way or one way street? If it’s two way and therefore big enough for two cars they are in reality breaking no laws.
Parking their own car over their drive would Roulyally piss them off and I’d wager they may then park so tight to the parking exit (on the side of the road the house is) that getting out would require mounting the kerb in the other side due to no angle to turn.
We live in a street where most people have extended drives with space for 3-4 cars. Anyway our Meighbour doesn’t and instead parks one of his two cars on the road. If it gets busy or someone takes “his spot” as soon as that car moves he’s out getting his car on the road and also his second car onto the road too leaving his drive empty but him keeping “his” two spots.
It used to f
k me right off / before we had our drive extended as he would also park in such a way you could only get two cars instead of three comfortably in the spaces. Anyway drive for 4-5 cars now and have done for a few years not once had parking space worry and instead simply grin when I see the nonsense that he must worry about Welshbeef said:
Have to be honest if someone was doing that to me I’d part the Mrs car opposite our driveway (or Mine) if it was causing such an issue.
I’d also ensure that one car is left there for 2.5 weeks in the summer when we go away for hols or any hols actually so there is no chance of them switching one car in for another
Or I’d actually more likely park one of our cars beside our drive exist on our side of the road. Given OP has stated it’s not wide enough to have 2x Parked cars either side of the road and enough space for cars to drove through this again would force them to park elsewhere. Do it long enough they will get the message
I think this could work - but the friendly neighbour guy is being considerate to his own detriment. I have however noticed this week that the car that used to live in their garage is now on the street in the same spot. So I think they've take to a bit of 'reserving' the space for themselves in case difficulty arises, or to make a point.I’d also ensure that one car is left there for 2.5 weeks in the summer when we go away for hols or any hols actually so there is no chance of them switching one car in for another
Or I’d actually more likely park one of our cars beside our drive exist on our side of the road. Given OP has stated it’s not wide enough to have 2x Parked cars either side of the road and enough space for cars to drove through this again would force them to park elsewhere. Do it long enough they will get the message
austinsmirk said:
At a previous house I lived at- it was served by a private road- that 8 of us owned.
except only 5 of us actually had land and parking attached to it.
this didn't stop one women parking on the road- that she had no right too- causing a right paid to the rest of us using this little track. proper entitled mentalist type.
except one old bloke was so blind, when he went out in his car, he kept hitting her car by accident (for comedy value- he once pulled up on the road behind a big yellow lorry. said lorry turned out to be a skip- just his vision couldn't detect it)
and then one neighbour, so p'd off with it when trying to move a project car on a car trailer-just drove the trailer down the side of her car.
some random BF of hers comes to threaten my mate- bad move- he's a massive fit 6' plus rugby captain/player of the year and all that.
so that confrontation didn't last long.
parking wars ended.
I don't think you win here- what'l happen is "someone" needs to keep damaging the cars- but factor in, every council type has cheap CCTV everywhere now
Kind of comical story but I like the happy(ish) ending. Why couldn't she be more considerate? (Again, the question I ask myself of people). No council near us to care to put CCTV up but about 20 houses in the estate have it, including a Ring doorbell on one lady who I recently found out is a Met officer. So that'll liven things up if it comes to fisticuffs.except only 5 of us actually had land and parking attached to it.
this didn't stop one women parking on the road- that she had no right too- causing a right paid to the rest of us using this little track. proper entitled mentalist type.
except one old bloke was so blind, when he went out in his car, he kept hitting her car by accident (for comedy value- he once pulled up on the road behind a big yellow lorry. said lorry turned out to be a skip- just his vision couldn't detect it)
and then one neighbour, so p'd off with it when trying to move a project car on a car trailer-just drove the trailer down the side of her car.
some random BF of hers comes to threaten my mate- bad move- he's a massive fit 6' plus rugby captain/player of the year and all that.
so that confrontation didn't last long.
parking wars ended.
I don't think you win here- what'l happen is "someone" needs to keep damaging the cars- but factor in, every council type has cheap CCTV everywhere now
gottans said:
Does the council house with 4 cars have a drive that somebody dump (park) a car in the same way? What is good for the goose and all that..
No but they do have one allocated space, and I have heard have now negotiated a 2nd space (one of the other residents allowing them kindly to use it).So could be a laugh to dump a car in either one of those whenever they are vacant (about once or twice a day each).
Jonno02 said:
So there's 14 houses cut off knowingly by this family? So ambulances etc can't get up?
I'd be spending £3 on a bottle of brake fluid.
Yeah pretty much.I'd be spending £3 on a bottle of brake fluid.
But I suspect it would immediately set off the old nasty neighbour to assume it was the nice bloke and he'd cause all sorts of trouble for him as a result.
Edited by Mr_Megalomaniac on Wednesday 19th February 11:46
PAULJ5555 said:
Where do they park when someone else parks in that place.
Good question - usually most others have the sense not to, in the few rare occasions someone else is there, I have seen them just park further in front on the grass (the grass that is supposed to be maintained by the estate. I won't even go into the discussion regarding whether or not they're liable in case of damage, etc.)Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff