Caravan parked in housing estate

silversheep · 16-09-2020 4:17pm #1

Hi,

Would appreciate any guidance with the below. We have lived in a village estate for the last few years and there's never been any issues, thankfully. However, a new family have started renting a house in the estate in the past year and have parked a caravan on the footpath in the estate. The caravan itself is in terrible condition and certainly doesn't look suitable for use. Anyway, aside from it being entirely unsightly, it is extremely difficult to see when reversing or driving which is extremely dangerous with children playing in the estate. Bin lorries can barely pass it. Parking is already scarce in the estate and again, this takes up space when they already have two cars.

As the estate is not taken in charge by the council, they are not really helping here. They claim to be unable to find out who the landlord is as the property isn't registered but I'm unsure about how true that is. The family recently parked ANOTHER caravan alongside the current caravan and the local Gardai managed to get this moved, but they seem to be unable to move the remaining one.

Can anyone help us? We are all at our wits end. On top of our houses being devalued, it is a huge health and safety issue that nobody seems willing to engage with. As the family themselves don't speak much English it's not a matter of simply asking them to move. The man who owns the caravan drills/ bangs around the caravan all day which is disruptive for people working from home.

Would really really appreciate any assistance here.

grayzer75 · 16-09-2020 4:18pm

<SNIP>

Marcusm · 16-09-2020 5:10pm

If the estate is not taken in charge then the road is unlikely to be a public road and the footpath not covered by anti-parking laws. Is there a managing agent or who owns the common areas?

Samuel T. Cogley · 16-09-2020 5:16pm

Find out who the LL is through the management company and explain that you'll report them to the RTB (not sure exactly what for other than not being registered). Hopefully with it not being registered he won't want any fuss and will get them to move it.

brisan · 16-09-2020 5:18pm

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Find out who the LL is through the management company and explain that you'll report them to the RTB (not sure exactly what for other than not being registered). Hopefully with it not being registered he won't want any fuss and will get them to move it.

He will more than likely tell you to sod off and tell the RTB the same

Samuel T. Cogley · 16-09-2020 5:20pm

brisan wrote: »

He will more than likely tell you to sod off and tell the RTB the same

https://www.rtb.ie/register-a-tenancy/why-register/penalties-for-not-registering

While I'm at it

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1991/act/31/enacted/en/print#sec2

miamee · 16-09-2020 5:25pm

Probably best to speak to the tenants first about this if you can before involving the landlord.
If you can't find out who the landlord is yourself, you can contact the RTB to ask for his or her details for the purposes of making a complaint about their tenant and (hopefully) resolving it.

https://www.rtb.ie/dispute-resolution/third-party-dispute-resolution-services

If the affected party is unable to identify or contact the landlord, they can make a formal request for the landlord’s and/or letting agent’s (where applicable) name and address (if registered) from the RTB. This application form must be fully completed and submitted by post to obtain contact information (e-mail or telephone requests are not accepted). The application form in Irish can be downloaded here.

If the rental property in question is not registered, the RTB may take enforcement action against the landlord in question. This may result in a criminal conviction.

silversheep · 16-09-2020 6:00pm

Thanks all. We definitely don't want the landlord to get in trouble over anything so we are reluctant to contact the RTB.

runawaybishop · 16-09-2020 7:08pm

Your first port of call is the tenants themselves. Walk up to the tenants and tell them to move the caravan or it will be moved for them. If they have poor English put it in writing.

Gumbo · 16-09-2020 9:19pm

brisan wrote: »

He will more than likely tell you to sod off and tell the RTB the same

The penalties for not registering far exceed the effort the LL has to make to get the tenants to move the caravan. If the LL has any sense, he will be at the tenants door ASAP.

silversheep wrote: »

Thanks all. We definitely don't want the landlord to get in trouble over anything so we are reluctant to contact the RTB.

You may have no choice if they choose to ignore you.

brisan · 17-09-2020 7:01pm

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

https://www.rtb.ie/register-a-tenancy/why-register/penalties-for-not-registering

While I'm at it

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1991/act/31/enacted/en/print#sec2

And how often are they enforced ??

Eleven Benevolent Elephants · 17-09-2020 7:04pm

Is it a cultural caravan?

17-09-2020 7:33pm

Eleven Benevolent Elephants wrote: »

Is it a cultural caravan?

Presumably not. OP says it's in poor condition. If it were cultural it'd be brand new.

DangerScouse · 17-09-2020 7:38pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Presumably not. OP says it's in poor condition. If it were cultural it'd be brand new.

:pac: So true.

bassy · 17-09-2020 9:14pm

gis a pic of the wee wagon

brisan · 17-09-2020 9:57pm

bassy wrote: »

gis a pic of the wee wagon

Data protection and privacy laws prevent this

Gumbo · 17-09-2020 10:03pm

brisan wrote: »

Data protection and privacy laws prevent this

On a public road. I don’t think so.

Jim Root · 17-09-2020 10:05pm

brisan wrote: »

Data protection and privacy laws prevent this

What privacy law are you referring to?

runawaybishop · 18-09-2020 8:46am

brisan wrote: »

Data protection and privacy laws prevent this

Caravans are not personal data.

Eleven Benevolent Elephants · 18-09-2020 9:25am

brisan wrote: »

Data protection and privacy laws prevent this

Idiotic post.

brisan · 18-09-2020 9:29am

Eleven Benevolent Elephants wrote: »

Idiotic post.

It was meant in jest as a lot of people het uptight over photos etc been taken
One poster on here complained that there house could be seen in an Estate Agents ad for their neighbours property
Some people need to lighten up.
Somebody said
Gis a pic of the wee wagon
Do you think that was serious
Somebody else asked was it a cultural caravan
Do you think that was serious
This thread has turned into a parody of itself

Mango Joe · 18-09-2020 9:31am

silversheep wrote: »

Thanks all. We definitely don't want the landlord to get in trouble over anything so we are reluctant to contact the RTB.

The Landlord is profiting from a property at the very centre of this situation and happily living far away in his own house with no hazards or eyesores outside of it......

IMO this isn't about whether or not he gets in trouble, he needs to act responsibly.

JimmyVik · 18-09-2020 9:32am

You wont get that caravan moved OP.
People are allowed to park their own caravan is their driveway or on the road outside their house.
The only way to escalate it is if someone is living in it.

db · 18-09-2020 9:48am

silversheep wrote: »

Can anyone help us? We are all at our wits end. On top of our houses being devalued, it is a huge health and safety issue that nobody seems willing to engage with. As the family themselves don't speak much English it's not a matter of simply asking them to move. The man who owns the caravan drills/ bangs around the caravan all day which is disruptive for people working from home.

Would really really appreciate any assistance here.

Are people not allowed do a bit of diy at home during the day? He is just trying to do up an old caravan for family holidays so maybe lighten up a bit and give him a break.

emeldc · 18-09-2020 9:57am

JimmyVik wrote: »

You wont get that caravan moved OP.
People are allowed to park their own caravan is their driveway or on the road outside their house.
The only way to escalate it is if someone is living in it.

Really? Any bit of literature for that one?

Testacalda · 18-09-2020 9:59am

silversheep wrote: »

. On top of our houses being devalued, it is a huge health and safety issue that nobody seems willing to engage with...

Would really really appreciate any assistance here.

Could you post a photo to show us the extent of the issue that it is causing, maybe then people on here could give you more informed advice. It's all about the details.

cruizer101 · 18-09-2020 10:13am

emeldc wrote: »

Really? Any bit of literature for that one?

Likely there is not going to be anything that says you can. It's more is there anything that says you can't.

mick121 · 18-09-2020 10:19am

JimmyVik wrote: »

You wont get that caravan moved OP.
People are allowed to park their own caravan is their driveway or on the road outside their house.

Just curious as I've no knowledge of the laws here but would a caravan technically need to be roadworthy/have a NCT etc to be parked on a public road.

Cheensbo · 18-09-2020 10:21am

mick121 wrote: »

Just curious as I've no knowledge of the laws here but would a caravan technically need to be roadworthy/have a NCT etc to be parked on a public road.

No

Xterminator · 18-09-2020 10:45am

mick121 wrote: »

JimmyVik wrote: »

Just curious as I've no knowledge of the laws here but would a caravan technically need to be roadworthy/have a NCT etc to be parked on a public road.

Caravans are not (generally)self propelled vehicles.

If you own a motor caravan, you'll need a Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness test to renew your CRW

woodchuck · 18-09-2020 10:50am

Do they have a driveway? If so, could you ask them to park the caravan in the driveway and park the cars on the street instead. They'd take up less space on the road at least.

mick121 · 18-09-2020 10:54am

Xterminator wrote: »

mick121 wrote: »

Caravans are not (generally)self propelled vehicles.

I get that,but was just curious as I think trailers need some sort of roadworthy test,and if so thought maybe a caravan would too as if your towing one along and something failed,it could be disastrous.

runawaybishop · 18-09-2020 11:59am

It's parked on the footpath and if it wasn't the op indicated that it would then block the road.

Gumbo · 18-09-2020 12:06pm

JimmyVik wrote: »

You wont get that caravan moved OP.
People are allowed to park their own caravan is their driveway or on the road outside their house.
The only way to escalate it is if someone is living in it.

There are strict limitations on the storage of caravans in your garden and on the road. Planning Enforcement can issue proceedings here.

One caravan, one camper an or one boat can be stored within the boundary for up to 9 months of the year as long as it’s not being lived in.

loyatemu · 18-09-2020 12:12pm

JimmyVik wrote: »

You wont get that caravan moved OP.
People are allowed to park their own caravan is their driveway or on the road outside their house.
The only way to escalate it is if someone is living in it.

this is wrong, there are planning regulations around the use and storage of caravans, you can't just leave one outside your house all year round, even if it's on your driveway:

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/can-i-put-a-caravan-on-my-plot-of-land-in-kerry-1.4202125

Cheensbo · 18-09-2020 12:30pm

mick121 wrote: »

I get that,but was just curious as I think trailers need some sort of roadworthy test,and if so thought maybe a caravan would too as if your towing one along and something failed,it could be disastrous.

They don't.

Commercial trailers such as lorry trailers do, private use trailers & caravans do not require any testing.

silversheep · 18-09-2020 2:26pm

Hi, thanks all. I won't be posting a photo of the caravan. It is in very bad condition, doesn't have a window and is filled with old pillows. Thanks for all of your advice so far!

JimmyVik · 21-09-2020 8:04am

loyatemu wrote: »

this is wrong, there are planning regulations around the use and storage of caravans, you can't just leave one outside your house all year round, even if it's on your driveway:

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/can-i-put-a-caravan-on-my-plot-of-land-in-kerry-1.4202125

Well when the OP comes back and says its moved we will see:)
Im guessing if they start proceedings now they might get it moved by Christmas 2023

Experience tells me they wont. Been there, done that. Its like trying to get your neighbour to cut down a huge tree. Impossible, unless they feel like cutting it down.

spurious · 21-09-2020 8:14am

silversheep wrote: »

Hi, thanks all. I won't be posting a photo of the caravan. It is in very bad condition, doesn't have a window and is filled with old pillows. Thanks for all of your advice so far!

Hallowe'en may take care of it. Sounds ideal with those lovely pillows.

JimmyVik · 21-09-2020 8:30am

spurious wrote: »

Hallowe'en may take care of it. Sounds ideal with those lovely pillows.

silversheep · 21-09-2020 2:53pm

Thanks all. The Gardai have requested the owner to move it on two occasions, but he still hasn't. Hoping for a miracle!

JimmyVik · 22-09-2020 1:22pm

silversheep wrote: »

Thanks all. The Gardai have requested the owner to move it on two occasions, but he still hasn't. Hoping for a miracle!

Its like the gardai requesting someone to turn down loud music.
They can comply if they feel like it. If they dont they gardai can do nothing about it.
If they dont listen to the gardai, I think your best bet is to appeal to their kind nature and have a nice chat with them and ask them would they move it.

silversheep · 05-10-2020 8:09pm

Hi, thought I would give an update. The guards have visited the owner of the caravan and requested that he move it on four separate occasions. Still not moved! The council have also been unhelpful. I am now taking steps to find out who the landlord is, but as I said as he isn't registered this isn't easy. Thanks for all the ideas anyway.... getting on to a TD next.

pinkyeye · 05-10-2020 8:26pm

You have said previously that you wouldn't like the landlord to get in trouble. Why on earth not???

They are unregistered and obviously don't give a **** about the other residents living there.

bobbyy gee · 05-10-2020 8:29pm

if it's on the road it has to be licensed and insured call Garda to tow it

Odelay · 05-10-2020 8:30pm

bobbyy gee wrote: »

if it's on the road it has to be licensed and insured call Garda to tow it

A caravan has to be insured? Nonsense.

silversheep · 05-10-2020 8:46pm

Thanks all. It's extremely frustrating as there have been a few near-accidents, most recently when a child came running out from behind a caravan and very nearly collided with a driver in the estate whose visibility was blocked by the caravan. It's extremely frustrating and the apathetic attitude of the owner isn't instilling me with confidence!

80j2lc5y7u6qs9 · 05-10-2020 10:01pm

Marcusm wrote: »

If the estate is not taken in charge then the road is unlikely to be a public road and the footpath not covered by anti-parking laws. Is there a managing agent or who owns the common areas?

I don't think not being taken in charge means it is not public as far as Road Traffic Act is concerned

ted1 · 06-10-2020 11:15am

JimmyVik wrote: »

You wont get that caravan moved OP.
People are allowed to park their own caravan is their driveway or on the road outside their house.
The only way to escalate it is if someone is living in it.

Actually most councils have byelaws which only allows them to be there for 9 months max
********$*****

Can I keep a caravan/campervan or boat in my garden without permission?
Yes, subject to:
Not more than 1 caravan / campervan or boat;

No commercial / advertising use;

Not used as a dwelling while stored;

Storage not greater than 9 months in any year

JimmyVik · 06-10-2020 11:48am

ted1 wrote: »

Actually most councils have byelaws which only allows them to be there for 9 months max
********$*****

Can I keep a caravan/campervan or boat in my garden without permission?
Yes, subject to:
Not more than 1 caravan / campervan or boat;

No commercial / advertising use;

Not used as a dwelling while stored;

Storage not greater than 9 months in any year

Good thing its not in their garden

Seriously, ive tried to have one moved from a road before. Not a hope.

Marcusm · 06-10-2020 12:57pm

Abel Greasy Cemetery wrote: »

I don't think not being taken in charge means it is not public as far as Road Traffic Act is concerned

It may be a “public place” Under RTA but it is not a public road unless the maintenance is the obligation of the local authority. Certain RTA matters such as drink driving, insurance etc apply to “public place” but parking is “public road” to the greater part.

Caravan parked in housing estate

Comments