Parking In Residential Areas

Adrift

Looking for some info regarding this, I've looked up Council and Citizens advice websites and aside from finding nothing, I've yet to receive a reply to my enquiries. So if anyone can offer some info it would be greatly appreciated.


We are homeowners in a very quiet residential estate. Over the past few months a neighbour has taken to parking a sizable commerial vehicle in the bay opposite our home. The bay is rarely used, and acts more as a space for visitors etc as most homes here can accomodate several vehicles per driveway. This may seem like a very trivial matter, but it is very irritating to see a large bright Green + Red transit style van right directly oppsosite the house, when it could easily be shifted to a spot opposite the owner of said vehicles home. We paid a lot of money for the house and we don't enjoy looking out at this van!

Would it be unreasonable to ask the individual to park outside his own property where possible? And are there any defined laws on parking commercial vehicles in estates???

djimi

Have you spoken to the owner of the van about this? I would have thought that would be the first thing to do!

mikemac

If this was a lorry/HGV there would be a solution as they need a nominated parking space.
There are regulations for vehicles over 3 tonnes. Does a van fit under that?

This doesn't seem to be a private area so I would think there is no management company.

Ask your local community garda and your local counillor.
If it is causing an obstruction so cars can't pass by they may help


If you tell them it's "unsightly" they'll laugh at you, sorry

Adrift wrote: »

Would it be unreasonable to ask the individual to park outside his own property where possible?

But before you go reading websites, have you even talked to them?

Elle Collins

It is in the bay opposite your home, not the bay outside your home, so no, there's nothing you can do about it.

What I can't understand is why you'd want to do anything about it. What harm is it doing to you?!

Cathmandooo

Speaking to them calmly first is your best option now.

I'd approach it very casually and consider it a request for a favour for you as it doesn't sound like you've any rights whatsoever, if your driveway has space for cars then it's not causing you any trouble other than looking bad.

snubbleste

Elle Collins wrote: »

What I can't understand is why you'd want to do anything about it. What harm is it doing to you?!

It's eye-offending apparently

..it is very irritating to see ..We paid a lot of money for the house and we don't enjoy looking out at this van!

Distorted

As an add on to what has already been said, one way to tackle this might be as a sort of side issue. Does the business which he runs require a license to be granted from the local council? If so, complain to the licensing department that he isn't a fit and proper person to run such a business because it necessitates a nuisance being caused to his residential neighbours when taking home the equipment for his trade. But I would speak to him first, to judge his attitude on the matter.

Cathmandooo

Distorted wrote: »

As an add on to what has already been said, one way to tackle this might be as a sort of side issue. Does the business which he runs require a license to be granted from the local council? If so, complain to the licensing department that he isn't a fit and proper person to run such a business because it necessitates a nuisance being caused to his residential neighbours when taking home the equipment for his trade. But I would speak to him first, to judge his attitude on the matter.

Wow really? This is a person trying to make a living and you want to report him for being unfit to run a business? :eek:

Adrift

What I can't understand is why you'd want to do anything about it. What harm is it doing to you?!

He is parking the Van opposite my property so he doesn't have to look at it from his!!! As I pointed out earlier he could easily park it opposite his own home. There is always space in the bay, which has space for 6 vehicles and is almost always empty.

What harm? It's now blocking our view of fields and an area of green which ourselves and other residents did a lot of work on last year, as I said, we didn't spend a lot of money on the place just to look at a commercial van.

Have you spoken to the owner of the van about this? I would have thought that would be the first thing to do!

No, I haven't gone in to him yet. I'm aware to most this would seem a trivial matter so I am hestitant to ask about it just yet. I was just looking for opinions from people who may have had similar experiences first.

reprazant

Distorted wrote: »

As an add on to what has already been said, one way to tackle this might be as a sort of side issue. Does the business which he runs require a license to be granted from the local council? If so, complain to the licensing department that he isn't a fit and proper person to run such a business because it necessitates a nuisance being caused to his residential neighbours when taking home the equipment for his trade. But I would speak to him first, to judge his attitude on the matter.

You would report him for being unfit to run a business, and therefore possibly cause that person to lose the business they run, because they park a van/lorry on their road, but just not outside their house?

Are you the most spiteful person ever?

mikemac

Adrift wrote: »

No, I haven't gone in to him yet.

Do this today and report back if it doesn't get solved

Duckjob

Distorted wrote: »

As an add on to what has already been said, one way to tackle this might be as a sort of side issue. Does the business which he runs require a license to be granted from the local council? If so, complain to the licensing department that he isn't a fit and proper person to run such a business because it necessitates a nuisance being caused to his residential neighbours when taking home the equipment for his trade. But I would speak to him first, to judge his attitude on the matter.

Yes, excellent. Let's put a guy out a business because his van is "lowering the tone" of the area. Unemployment is looking a bit low at the moment after all :rolleyes:

Assuming it is parked neatly, how is it a nuisance ?

OP, are we talking a Ford Transit van size? if I were you I would go talk nicely to your neighbour. You've no grounds to get demanding with him over it, but if you approach it nicely, he might accomodate you in the interest of maintaining good relations with his neighbours.

Failing that, maybe don't spend so much time gawking out your window.

djimi

Talk to the owner first before taking any further action. Involving anyone else at this point is only going to get their back up and make the situation a whole lot less likely of being resolved.

Also, why not park one of your own cars in the bay for a while so the van owner cant park there?

Adrift

First of all, I've no intention of running anyone out of business.

Assuming it is parked neatly, how is it a nuisance ?

OP, are we talking a Ford Transit van size? if I were you I would go talk nicely to your neighbour. You've no grounds to get demanding with him over it, but if you approach it nicely, he might accomodate you in the interest of maintaining good relations with his neighbours.

Yes, it's parked neatly. But it's transit size, and to reiterate- he parks it directly opposite our home as opposed to his own. There is nothing beyond the bay other than trees fields etc etc so yes it lowers the tone of the area and detracts from the view.

Failing that, maybe don't spend so much time gawking out your window.

Mate, I don't have to gawk out the window to see this thing. I can see it from the far corner of my living room.


I'll go in this evening and report back.

RasTa

Distorted wrote: »

As an add on to what has already been said, one way to tackle this might be as a sort of side issue. Does the business which he runs require a license to be granted from the local council? If so, complain to the licensing department that he isn't a fit and proper person to run such a business because it necessitates a nuisance being caused to his residential neighbours when taking home the equipment for his trade. But I would speak to him first, to judge his attitude on the matter.

Jesus christ, do you work yourself?

Cathmandooo

djimi wrote: »

Also, why not park one of your own cars in the bay for a while so the van owner cant park there?

+1 that's a good idea, once you don't get clamped or anything?!

convert

Adrift wrote: »

What harm? It's now blocking our view of fields and an area of green which ourselves and other residents did a lot of work on last year, as I said, we didn't spend a lot of money on the place just to look at a commercial van.

Unfortunately you don't own the view from your windows, so you can't really complain on those grounds.

If the guy's house happened to be opposite you and he parked his van outside his house, would you still complain that it was blocking your view of his house? Or if he just parked it across the road from his house?

Would you complain if the guy had a range rover instead of the van? Maybe you could just ask him to sell his van and buy a range rover or other more socially 'acceptable' vehicle just to keep you happy.

There are an awful lot worse things that could be happening where you live and in the grand scheme of things it would seem that you're just being overly fussy and begrudging a guy who's actually getting out there to try and make living so he can provide for his family and pay his mortgage. There's always going to be something in an estate that bugs an individual, but if it's not something really OTT then just let it go. There are an awful lot more things to be worried about than a guy parking his van outside your house, even if it is annoying.

lostaccount

To be fair to the op, obviously the owners of the van don't want to look at it either or they would park it in the free space outside their house!

Distorted

reprazant wrote: »

You would report him for being unfit to run a business, and therefore possibly cause that person to lose the business they run, because they park a van/lorry on their road, but just not outside their house?

Are you the most spiteful person ever?

Oh for goodness sake, what an overreaction. Where I live, to have any kind of license, a person has to prove they are a fit and proper person. Any member of the public is entitled to make a legitimate complaint about the way they run their business. It doesn't mean they will lose it, it simply means that the department in charge of awarding licenses will contact them to investigate the matter and/or hold a hearing at which they may have to offer reassurance that the problem will not reoccur. If it is the sort of business that requires a license, then it would seem the obvious course of action to contact the licensing authority in this matter as other people should not suffer because of someone else's commercial activities. If you read the OP's comments, you will see that the van owner has plenty of other places to park within reach of his own home.

milkycoffey

Distorted wrote: »

Oh for goodness sake, what an overreaction. Where I live, to have any kind of license, a person has to prove they are a fit and proper person. Any member of the public is entitled to make a legitimate complaint about the way they run their business. It doesn't mean they will lose it, it simply means that the department in charge of awarding licenses will contact them to investigate the matter and/or hold a hearing at which they may have to offer reassurance that the problem will not reoccur. If it is the sort of business that requires a license, then it would seem the obvious course of action to contact the licensing authority in this matter as other people should not suffer because of someone else's commercial activities. If you read the OP's comments, you will see that the van owner has plenty of other places to park within reach of his own home.

Calling you spiteful is an overreaction, yet making a complain about whether a person is fit to run a business because of where they park their car is not?

Right.

Distorted

milkycoffey wrote: »

Calling you spiteful is an overreaction, yet making a complain about whether a person is fit to run a business because of where they park their car is not?

Right.

Well, first of all I'm not the one complaining but I sympathise with the OP. I and most other people manage to run their working lives without disturbing the peace of other people relaxing in their homes. We don't even know if the person requires a license but all I'm saying is that, if he does, like anyone else, he is required to adhere to certain standards of behaviour and it is the sort of complaint a licensing authority might send out a letter about. Its hardly going to be the end of his life.

The term "fit and proper person" is a legal term where I am based. Any person holding a license must be a fit and proper person. If they behave in a way which indicates they are not, they won't be granted a license. Its just terminology from another jurisdiction. Try not to get too hung up on it. Other countries exist too.

Adrift

Unfortunately you don't own the view from your windows, so you can't really complain on those grounds.

You're right, I don't own that view. But if you were in my position, paid a top price for a home in a scenic location, along with a selection of residents devote money and time each year to keep the area behind said parking bay looking attractive, you'd be peeved if you now had a van to look at every evening.

If the guy's house happened to be opposite you and he parked his van outside his house, would you still complain that it was blocking your view of his house? Or if he just parked it across the road from his house?

Short answer, no. That's clearly not the same thing.


Most of you seem to be missing the point here which is

To be fair to the op, obviously the owners of the van don't want to look at it either or they would park it in the free space outside their house!

Surely common sense and courtesy would dictate the van goes in the slot opposite the owners home????


Anyways popped into him last night, he reckons he is within his rights to park anywhere he wishes in the bay, which I have to accept. I appealed to him to park opposite his own home where possible (Which would be 90% of the time) to no avail. So I'll have to take an earlier suggestion of parking our own car in that slot in the evenings.

Duckjob

You do realise that it's not your neighbours problem if you overpaid for your house ? Regardless of how much you paid, you didnt "buy" the view outside your house. Only those who buy detached homes and the land around their homes do.

At least you've accepted his response. That said, if I were your neighbour and you complained to me about it, and then starting parking your car in the spot across the road instead of in your own driveway, I would be thinking "Christ, has this guy got nothing better to worry about?"

btw, I'm not trying to get at you. I just don't get how people get so precious about the roads outside their homes in general.

Adrift

You do realise that it's not your neighbours problem if you overpaid for your house ? Regardless of how much you paid, you didnt "buy" the view outside your house. Only those who buy detached homes and the land around their homes do.

At least you've accepted his response. That said, if I were your neighbour and you complained to me about it, and then starting parking your car in the spot across the road instead of in your own driveway, I would be thinking "Christ, has this guy got nothing better to worry about?"

btw, I'm not trying to get at you. I just don't get how people get so precious about the roads outside their homes in general

I didn't overpay for the house??

So, If you were in my position, had an awesome view for the first few years in your home until someone moved in next door and takes to ruining your view with a bright transit van, you would think that's ok?

As for being precious about a bit of road? Yeah, why not? I've plenty to concern myself with but this just defies the laws of common sense.

mikemac

Adrift wrote: »

most homes here can accomodate several vehicles per driveway.

Wow, many home owners would love that.
Several vehicles, you say, nice home! :cool:

A work vehicle probably contains stock or maybe tools and tools cost thousands. Likely target for theft and I wonder why he does't use his driveway if it's as big as you say.

Adrift wrote: »

So I'll have to take an earlier suggestion of parking our own car in that slot in the evenings.

And yet you're going to pay in the parking bay and not your massive driveway?
Well it'll solve the issue alright, until the day he gets home before you or maybe you are away, will there be a race every evening?
Are you going to buy a banger and leave it there?

I think you'll be posting here again in a few months again

RasTa

Take a picture or something of this 'awesome' view the van is blocking.

lostaccount

Op, did you ask him why he wasn't parking the van outside his home or did he give any reason why he was using that particular spot?

Little A

Hi Adrift,

While I agree you have no legal right to the view outside your home, I know how frustrating it can be to have someone constantly park infront of your house regularly when they have other facilities. Here's what we did.....

In-laws had a couple move in beside them who barely even said hello. They did alot of work to their house & obviously decided they didn't want the look of their house ruined by parked cars so they would park infront of my in-laws (they had room in their driveway for about 3 cars & on road infront for 2, but kept them all clear).

While legally there was nothing wrong with this, it did annoy the in-laws who had lived there for almost 40 years & never had neighbours like them.

So we managed to borrow a clapped out, eye-sore of a van from someone & parked it infront of their house. The neighbours were around to complain within hours to get it moved. Father in law said calmly that a friend was going on hols & was leaving it for a week. He would have parked infront of their house but "your" cars were there. Terrible sorry, friend will be back in a week to retrieve it. Neighbour not happy, but nothing he could do as it was fully taxed, insured etc.

Never happened again (and luckily they moved about 6 months later).

minotour

Commercial vehicles should be left on commercial property, end of story, too many estates are ruined by absolute eyesores clogging up driveways and common areas. Thats the life these guys chose, it shouldnt be imposed on everyone else.

My only hope for OP is that this guy is a renter and will eventually move on. Given his pig-headedness when asked nicley Im sure you dont care what happens to him.

Adrift

Op, did you ask him why he wasn't parking the van outside his home or did he give any reason why he was using that particular spot?

Yeah, he was very evasive when it came to this. Just kept repeating the question "What does it matter where it's parked" and maintaining that he was within his rights to park anywhere in the bay. The latter I accept, but the first answer, not a chance.

While legally there was nothing wrong with this

I've accepted this from the beginning. All I was asking him was, where possibel to keep it opposite his own place. Thanks for the other info little A, sounds like that worked for your in laws.

Gone West

give a tenner to some scobes, they will know what to do.

Distorted

Adrift wrote: »

Yeah, he was very evasive when it came to this. Just kept repeating the question "What does it matter where it's parked" and maintaining that he was within his rights to park anywhere in the bay. The latter I accept, but the first answer, not a chance.

Its just a matter of social skills really. Its a small issue, but if you live in an estate where houses are close together but still private, respecting your neighbour's privacy should go without saying. I must admit I think people are overly fussy when they moan about cars parking on the public road outside their houses but it seems that this chap does it nightly and not just when he can't find a bay near his own house.

What kind of business is it OP? Does he have his business details printed on his van? You would think for security and convenience he would want it parked nearer his own house, its almost like he doesn't want it associated with the address he is living at...

GreeBo

I really dont understand the abuse the OP is getting on this. We had a neighbour do the same, this time on the house side of the road. They would leave their work vehicle (a huge truck masquerading as a people carrier) outside both houses while leaving their driveway clear 100% of the time.
Thanksfully they moved on but its not very nice to look out your windows at a truck instead of the green fields you expect to see.

He is obviously aware its an eyesore otherwise he would park it outside his own house. Some people are just ignorant, you have to accept that and decide if its worth your while to "fight" them over it or hope they move.

Adrift

What kind of business is it OP?

I'm fairly sure he is in the furniture business.

He is obviously aware its an eyesore otherwise he would park it outside his own house

This is it, If it was my van I would definitely make the effort to keep it either in my own driveway or opposite my own home where reasonably possible.

conorhal

Adrift wrote: »

Yeah, he was very evasive when it came to this. Just kept repeating the question "What does it matter where it's parked" and maintaining that he was within his rights to park anywhere in the bay. The latter I accept, but the first answer, not a chance.

I know that if I had a comercial vehicle I'd imagine that I'd want it where I can keep an eye on it so I'd suspect that he's evasive because he's claiming the social and doesn't want some random inspector asking awkward questions about why a commercial work vehicle is parked outside his home.
There is little that you can do of course except park there yourself until he gets the message.

Cookie_Monster

minotour wrote: »

Commercial vehicles should be left on commercial property, end of story, too many estates are ruined by absolute eyesores clogging up driveways and common areas. Thats the life these guys chose, it shouldnt be imposed on everyone else.

this.

OP, check the tax disc and if it is commercial tax report him for tax fraud, as he is using the vehicle for purposes other than commercial (ie using it to get home).

harsh but fair

Victor

Fuzzy wrote: »

give a tenner to some scobes, they will know what to do.

Advocating illegal behaviour is not acceptable.

---

I think quite a few of you are being a bit precious. I would much prefer if car owners didn't park on the street, but there seems to be some snobbery factor over it being a van and not a car.

Remember when streets were used for transport and as a common social space and not as a location for the storage of personal property?

Gone West

Victor wrote: »

Advocating illegal behaviour is not acceptable.

---

I think quite a few of you are being a bit precious. I would much prefer if car owners didn't park on the street, but there seems to be some snobbery factor over it being a van and not a car.

Remember when streets were used for transport and as a common social space and not as a location for the storage of personal property?

Sorry Victor, I didn´t realise I was being illegal. I will check the charter next time.

Keep up the good wotrk, I´m a big fan of your work.

thebullkf

minotour wrote: »

Commercial vehicles should be left on commercial property, end of story, too many estates are ruined by absolute eyesores clogging up driveways and common areas. Thats the life these guys chose, it shouldnt be imposed on everyone else.

My only hope for OP is that this guy is a renter and will eventually move on. Given his pig-headedness when asked nicley Im sure you dont care what happens to him.

would you ever ask me bollix.:rolleyes:

Meeoow

christmas is coming soon, why not paint a nice picture of santa and rudolph on your window to look at

thebullkf

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

this.

OP, check the tax disc and if it is commercial tax report him for tax fraud, as he is using the vehicle for purposes other than commercial (ie using it to get home).

harsh but fair

you as well. ffs give it a rest- i used to drive a commercial vehicle (albeit a small one) and i have to tell you- driving it homeis entirely legal:rolleyes:

Cookie_Monster

thebullkf wrote: »

you as well. ffs give it a rest- i used to drive a commercial vehicle (albeit a small one) and i have to tell you- driving it homeis entirely legal:rolleyes:

if a vehicle is commercially taxed it can only be used for commercial purposes. driving home from work is not a valid commercial purpose hence not allowed. if it has a private tax disc then there is no issue.

Just because you did it doesn't mean its illegal, just generally ignored by the law. If you bothered to read the documentation you sign in the motor office when taxing it you'd have seen the declaration you have to make.

the_syco

Adrift wrote: »

I didn't overpay for the house??

I'm thinking if you paid a lot for your house, so did he, and thus he's parking his van elsewhere.

=-=

Unless he's parking in front of yours to ensure no-one cops that
a) he's working
or
b) he's self employed

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

if a vehicle is commercially taxed it can only be used for commercial purposes. driving home from work is not a valid commercial purpose hence not allowed. if it has a private tax disc then there is no issue.

We do not know if his home is his registered business address.

Cookie_Monster

the_syco wrote: »

We do not know if his home is his registered business address.

true, that would be a valid exception

D3PO

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

if a vehicle is commercially taxed it can only be used for commercial purposes. driving home from work is not a valid commercial purpose hence not allowed. if it has a private tax disc then there is no issue.

Just because you did it doesn't mean its illegal, just generally ignored by the law. If you bothered to read the documentation you sign in the motor office when taxing it you'd have seen the declaration you have to make.

Its not that black and white in fairness. Very easy to say Ive got a home office that I need to drive to to work. Bingo driving home now is for commercial purposes.

I have to agree with Victor the snobbory about a van here is off the charts. You dont own the view so tough luck and seriously how much time do people actually spending looking out their living room window ?

To say your issue is that your view is blocked isnt credible. The only people I know who would spending time regularly looking out their window onto the street are thos enoesey neightbours we all love to hate.

OP at least be honest your issue is you dont like the look of the van its not posh enough for you. You can trot this blocking my view nonsense but its just not credible.

event

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

this.

OP, check the tax disc and if it is commercial tax report him for tax fraud, as he is using the vehicle for purposes other than commercial (ie using it to get home).

harsh but fair

not fair at all really

in fact its quite a pathetic thing to recommend to do.

the guy can park where he wants, much like the OP can do the same.

Cookie_Monster

event wrote: »

not fair at all really

in fact its quite a pathetic thing to recommend to do.

reporting someone for tax fraud* is pathetic? Grow up

*if it turns out he ha commercial tax and his home is not registered business address

event

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

reporting someone for tax fraud* is pathetic? Grow up

*if it turns out he ha commercial tax and his home is not registered business address

over the type of "tax fraud" you are suggesting is pathetic.

in that case, build a new jail as the majority of work vehicles are registered for commercial Tax.

convert

Are you willing to fall out with this guy over something as minor as a van parked in front of your house, blocking a view you don't own?

If yes, then I think you really need to get your priorities in order. What happens if this guy later decides to build a huge extension which destroys the 'tone' of your street, or rents to tenants who turn out to be neighbours from hell? If you've fallen out with him over the van, then it's likely that he won't give you the time of day in the future.

We all have neighbours who do things that annoy us, or park their cars in places which inconvenience us, or start drilling at 8am on a Sunday morning after I've had a late night, but there are certain things that I would be inclined to let pass so that if something more serious crops up, then I'm not deemed to be unreasonable.

As for reporting the guy re commercial tax for his van: if he's investigated, do you really think he's not going to twig where the tip off came from? If you go down this road, you're going to end up with a 'tit-for-tat' battle.

As I said before, if you have such a big problem with his van, ask him to sell it and buy a more socially acceptable vehicle which won't lower the tone of your neighbourhood - a range rover should do nicely!

GreeBo

convert wrote: »

Are you willing to fall out with this guy over something as minor as a van parked in front of your house, blocking a view you don't own?

This neighbour who is willing to fall out and refusing to park his van outside his own house?

convert wrote: »

As I said before, if you have such a big problem with his van, ask him to sell it and buy a more socially acceptable vehicle which won't lower the tone of your neighbourhood - a range rover should do nicely!

:rolleyes: ^ great way to make people ignore any other point you may have made.

fe1ready

Adrift,

Why don't you just park your own car in the space. He has to leave the space at some point. Im sure you'd rather look at your own car then his van.

If you leave before him in a given day, get a friend etc to come over when you know the van will be gone and have them move your car into the space.

He'll soon tire of the cat and mouse.

Or buy a banger of a moped and park it there for good.