We have a nuiscance neighbour who I feel is now victimising us....?

Question

he has plenty of car park space outside his own house which is way down the road and yet insists on parking directly outside our house just because we and other neighbours have asked him not to. There is no reason why he should park there and I know he is doing it to just upset me as I can not park outside my own property. As we do not have a dropped kerb, I am stuck with what we can do? Any suggestions?

.....The only problem is, not sure law will back us up as we dont have a dropped kerb so its not strictly private parking?

Answer 1

He is obviously a pig-and-a-half! Someone did that to a neighbour of mine, so I rang the council and had the car toed. (The alarm had been going off all night and the car had seemed abandoned but was actually new neighbours who just dumped their car in front of next door whilst leaving their own drive free).
If I were in your situation, I would have a stern word with him, back it up with, potentially, a smack in the chops, as it is all some people understand and no-one else is going to help you on this (I don't think he is breaking any laws). As you are a lady, I would suggest a burly brother or hubby or friend have a solid word with the ignoramus.
It is either that, or put up with it!
One point. If his property is rental, you have got him! Part of every rental agreement in the UK is that a tenant cannot annoy his neighbours. If he does, he breaks his rental contract. Landlords then have a duty not to renew his tenancy (which will probably be a 6 month one). If he is renting, get together with the neighbours and contact the landlord. This will see him moved on.

You have a right to respect from your neighbours.

Answer 2

Unfortunately there is not a lot you can do. Obviously the road is a public highway and all cars parked on it are 'technically' causing an obstruction. Even having a dropped kerb does not give you the automatic right to prevent people from parking across it. Any vehicle parked across the dropped kerb only has to move to allow you to exit your driveway and can move back across once you have done so. Your neighbour is obviously parking outside of your house to annoy you because you have, in the past asked him not to park there. The more you make an issue of it, the more likely he is to park there to try to annoy you even more. The more you show that you are not bothered by his childish actions, the more likely he/she is to try and find someone else to annoy.

Answer 3

Unless you pay for your parking you have no legal right to park outside your own home. I discovered that when we had a similar problem with neighbours. The highway is a public place and you can't "own" any of it to park on. To get round this you need to create a hard-standing (drive way) in your front garden and ask the council (if you're in the UK) to drop the kerb for access, then if your neighbour parks across it he can be fined for obstruction by the police. If anyone in your house is disabled you could use that argument for parking outside your home, otherwise there's little you can do, which isn't fair really.
(Incidentally, it's illegal to park across a dropped kerb if it blocks access to a pavement.)

Answer 4

You do not say if you have been subjected to restricted access by the man who parks outside your home. If you have, this could be obstruction.
However, any vehicle parked on any road can, if a Police Officer thinks so, is an obstruction. I have to say though, your naughty neighbour is not bound to park outside his own house.
Perhaps the Tax has run out, it has dangerous parts or is leaking petrol or oil. Oh ! What a good time to look!

Answer 5

If you have a neighborhood association, talk to them and see if they will fine him for parking in front of your house. If you don’t check with your local police department to find out if he is trespassing by parking in front of your house. Some cities consider the curb part of your property. You can also see if the cops will say something to him. If all else fails call your local tow truck company and find out if they will tow his car away. Tell the tow truck company that it has been abandoned in front of your property, and they will usually charge you a lower fee. It may cost you some money but at least he’ll get the point.

Answer 6

If you or someone living in your house has a physical disability which limits their ability to walk long distances without becoming winded- such as athsma, high blood pressure or a heart condition, or another medical condition which limits their mobility, you can apply to your township or city for a handicapped sign to be placed in front of your property so that you and the members of your household who drive can park conveniently for their own personal safety. Other than that, no one owns the public street even if it is located in front of their own homes. It is unfortunate for your neighbor that he is completely ignorant of the fact that he may be tempting his own neighbors to do mischief to his car that also, might motivate him to park closer to his own house, where he could better observe his own property. Mischief is not a suggestion. However, it has happened to nuisance neighbors who go out of their way to make others uncomfortable.

Answer 7

Try checking the parking ordinances for your area, he may be violating one or more, just remember you will have to follow the same rules. Do you have a lawn? If you do and it extends to the street you can put a bird feeder close to the street where he is parking his car. As long as it is on your property it will be illegal for him to mess with the feeder. You could put a chalk mark on his tire, then let him know there is a chalk line on it. Chalk marks are commonly used by police to check on whether a vehicle has been moved, just try not to be seen doing it.

Answer 8

Sounds like you have a neighbor from Hell. Have you done anything to cause this? Send them a Registered Letter and keep one for your records and if that doesn't work, TELL them what thy are doing is wrong IF you have not done anything. Go to the Clerks Office in the Courthouse and they can advise you on what to do, but it would be better to just get a Lawyer and get results now instead of fighting all the time. You are more passive then I would be that's for sure. IF you let them walk over you they will continue to do so. PUT a STOP to it NOW ASAP.

Answer 9

I think legally nothing can be done, however, my neighbor asked permission to park in front of my place. There is room for two. He could have done, but it was nice to be asked and have the chance to say "no problem, mate!"

We don't know how wonderful good neigbors are until stuck with a prat. My heart goes out you and others in your street.

--That Cheeky Lad

Answer 10

If you feel brave park your car outside his house. Ask your local councillor for advice if this continues. I know what it's like to have a nuissance neighbour (noise). After many complaints he eventually got an ASBO.