Bird poo problem!

regency_man

The landlord (a company) of my block of flats provides dedicated parking spaces for each flat - there are no guest spaces and the parking all around the flat is permit restrcited for which our postcode is not eligible - so it is the only option I have for parking.

The problem is, birds are nesting and roosting on the roof-ends of the building directly above where my space is. Result: my car gets covered in bird-poo every single day. We're not talking about small amounts either, it is an unbelieveable quantity that completely paints the side and roof of the car brown and white.

It is unsightly, disgusting and unhygenic as I have to touch the poop every day just to open my car door. More than this it is costing me a fortune in car-washing, when I have busy work weeks meeting clients and customers I can end up putting my car through the carwash 5 times a week - I worked out it's costing me nearly £200 per month.

After a month I contacted the landlord explaining the problem and asked them to install some anti-bird measures on the building (those spikey things). They responded saying they spoke to their building maintenance department and they would not be taking any action because it is a 'temporary problem'. They suggested I contact the building manager (another department) asking for an alternative parking space. I did so, the response from the building manager came back straight away: there are no other spaces available.

Since then two months have passed, my car still getting painted in poop every day or two.
I called the landlord again and they responded that they know the problem only affects this building in the 'Spring time' and it doesn't normally last this long, and they blamed the weather.

I consider three solid months of poo to be not a 'temporary' problem - but they seem to be unwilling to budge.

Is there any legislation that covers this sort of thing?! I feel that if I can give them some evidence they are failing to meet their contractual or legal requirements, they will probably take action as they are pretty hot at responding to any safety/legal issues.

Thanks

sandsni

Could you buy a cover for your car so you wouldn't have to spend so much on car washing? Since it's only the parking area that's affected and not the actual living accommodation, I'd be surprised if there's any legislation relating to bird poo on your car, even if it is a nuisance. Also, depending on the type of bird, there could be legislation actually preventing anyone from tampering with nests or nesting sites.

DannyboyMidlands

An air gun and some marigolds.

WestonDave

The bad news is that its against the law to disturb most birds during nesting season! So far from the law giving you a weapon to use against the landlord, he probably has one he can hide behind to do nothing.

GoPD

Car cover do sound a good idea in the short term, though putting it on and off if the problem is as bad as you say that might not be that pleasent a job.

googler

Disposable plastic dust sheet and masking tape from B&Q

Dust sheet comes in long rolls, a few m wide; Cut a section off, tape it down with masking tape. Roll it up and throw in the bin once used

regency_man

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have considered a cover for the car, but I'm reluctant for a few reasons - firstly it doesn't really solve the problem, secondly I would have to handle a big unwieldy sheet covered in fresh bird poop every morning while dressed in my work suit and thirdly there is nowhere anywhere nearby to store the sheet so I'd either have to leave it out in the elements or go all the way back to my flat each day to store it and vice versa when I got home.

Though I originally thought it was nesting birds, I've observed it's actually a group of about 4-5 seagulls who fly over to perch on the gable ends of the roof. They are not permanent residents, just regular visitors.

Does this change anything, are seagulls considered pests?

googler

regency_man wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have considered a cover for the car, but I'm reluctant for a few reasons - firstly it doesn't really solve the problem, secondly I would have to handle a big unwieldy sheet covered in fresh bird poop every morning while dressed in my work suit and thirdly there is nowhere anywhere nearby to store the sheet so I'd either have to leave it out in the elements or go all the way back to my flat each day to store it and vice versa when I got home.

Though I originally thought it was nesting birds, I've observed it's actually a group of about 4-5 seagulls who fly over to perch on the gable ends of the roof. They are not permanent residents, just regular visitors.

Does this change anything, are seagulls considered pests?

Try cling film instead.

Go out and take the film or sheet off before you get dressed for work.....

Seagulls tend to go where food goes. Is someone in the area feeding them?

googler

weebly1 wrote: »

This is a problem very common. Nice posts ware there.

Returned, Yoda has, the nonsense to post.....

regency_man

Just wanted to re-open this old thread to say that, thanks to these seagulls, when I part-exed my car the dealer took £250 off the value for the paintwork damage the birds had caused :-(

I was expecting this, but it still hurt, the bird crap had eaten right through the paint lacquer in several places, it looked awful. Worse, when I got my brand new car home, I woke up the very next morning to find it covered in poo. :-(

I think I'm going to have to move.

Mozzanov

regency_man wrote: »

Just wanted to re-open this old thread to say that, thanks to these seagulls, when I part-exed my car the dealer took £250 off the value for the paintwork damage the birds had caused :-(

I was expecting this, but it still hurt, the bird crap had eaten right through the paint lacquer in several places, it looked awful. Worse, when I got my brand new car home, I woke up the very next morning to find it covered in poo. :-(

I think I'm going to have to move.

That sucks, mate.

Maybe a local takeaway or cafe can help solve the problem? Seagull kebab or pie anyone?

Unfortunately, though, these pests* are protected. *Noisy, corrosive faeces and probably unsafe to eat (full of bacteria, diseases and parasites.

Have you contacted the RSPB for advice? They might have some insight on how to manage the situation or deter them without causing harm.