Assaulted by Neighbour & Victimised by Housing Association

Hump

I sympathise with the Housing Association - you appear to have a contractual right to use a parking space which would be a massive issue if you had a car. They, the landlord, probably can't do much except to contract your spaces out to a parking service who will ticket/ invoice people who shouldn't be parking there. They would probably have to administer a scheme whereby residents have permits for visitors and for their own cars. And guess what? they will be entitled to increase your service charge (rent) to cover their increased costs AND it might not solve the problem especially as we're three weeks into 'no clamping'.

Good luck pursuing your complaint though.

missrlr

You mentioned that the offending vehicle is supposed to be parked in another place - why not write to the company who owns the van, with evidence (pictures over multiple days) explaining how the parking is causing a problem e.g. that it is taking up 2 spaces and so yours (and presumably) other residents visitors are unable to park, which is impacting your/their care / social interactions / access whatever this is. Explain this has been communicated to the driver of said vehicle (assuming you have done so in a reasonable manner) and ask that as the owners of the van could they please communicate this fact to the employee and take appropriate action. If it was the employee that assaulted you then you can also explain this with evidence e.g. the police crime report assuming you reported this or explain that the communications have been met with unfriendly attitude and you are now considering / have complained to the police about this.

You should try to explain this CALMLY and POLITELY to the individual if not verbally then in a note on their vehicle. If it is genuinely making an adverse impact on your life then in telling someone about this you are putting them in a position whereby they should change their behavior, if they don't then it may be considered harassment. You have to show the adverse impact.

Just because you "should" be able to use a visitors parking space doesn't mean other people can't unless it is expressly and clearly designated for your sole use. You may find that even without that current vehicle others use it and so your visitors may still have to park elsewhere, and walk to your house. Such is life.

Sadly though unless you can document and continue to provide evidence of how and why this is adversely impacting your life then I don't think there is a lot you can expect from the system. The HA cannot be held accountable for some private individuals actions, only that person can be.

So take a deep breath and think calmly
is there any commonly available DOCUMENTED evidence as to how the parking space should be used? Is this readily available for people using the space e.g. a sign saying visitors only? If not does your lease specify the exact parking space as associated with your property or is it a "parking is available" do be clear on the facts you have evidence for not the mumblings of a HA employee. Now given these facts ONLY is what is happening unreasonable?
if ANY other vehicle was parking there regularly would this be a problem? What if this was a carer for one of your neighbours for instance? Or someone with walking difficulties visiting every day?

I can appreciate you feel hard done by but you need to take the decision whether this is going to cause your and yours more harm long term than accepting people are strange and we all live together so sigh and take the moral high ground.

jamil0458

Agree with many of the posts - is this really worth all the stress?
The assault aside, if you had a car it would be understandable, and if the space(s) can legitimately be used for 'visitors', theoretically there could be many occassions when they are all legitimately used up and someone or someone's visitor is going to have to park elsewhere anyway.
All of this could theoretically happen in perfectly legitimate scenarios by what you state, so the question validly remains, is it really worth all the hassle to you over a space that you never use, and someone visiting you might use or might be unable to use it in perfectly legitimate circumstances?

kimbyanne

I can sympathise, my parents live in a HA house with a communal parking area - it is one car per house and one visitor parking space. There is a small amount of parking along the side of the road.

Unfortunately, many of the neighbours have two cars and/or allow their visitors to park in other peoples spaces. Generally most neighbours obey the rules but there are a couple who think they can do what they want.

My parents have had many run ins with these neighbours because they either use our parking space or park directly behind the car to block my parents in. All the HA does it send out letters reiterating the parking rules.

Is your house a new build? It seems that all newer houses / estates are not built with enough parking so disputes over parking is a very common issue now.

I would suggest you put something in your space, something heavy that can't just be chucked to the side - I am thinking like a bin / bag of rubble or something?

Fire_Fox

So in summary
- partner has significant mental health issues
- you are currently unemployed so have too much time to think
- no cars but spaces
- lengthy dispute with someone over parking space
- numerous complaints to housing association
- van driver made an unprovoked attack
- you now have mental health issues
- numerous more complaints to housing association.

My feelings based on this thread, working in healthcare and my own mental health issues
- the root cause is mental illness not the car parking
- you are wasting public money trying to enforce the rules given you don't need the space
- the housing association are sick of you complaining
- people with mental health issues need to take a certain amount of personal responsibility for their wellbeing
- the assault was not unprovoked, your partner has been complaining for years and you were outside the house. That is provokation.

The problem here is that it has escalated because it was not properly addressed initially. Not by the housing association but by your partner's doctor and you in combination repeatedly telling your partner she was stressing over something completely unreasonably. You are now enabling one another in this obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviour, your relationship is not healthy.

Whenever you get stressed or obsessive over this go out for a long brisk walk, be sure you get your government recommended 10,000 steps every single day. Physical activity is scientifically proven beneficial in a wide range of mental health complaints from depression to schizophrenia.

dorset_nurse

I can see how the parking space being used by someone else is annoying, but since you don't have a car can you not just ignore it?
If that is not an option can you apply to move/rent/buy another property that has a stress free parking option for you both?
I bought a house with a private drive so myself and my visitors always have space to park as it is high on my list of priorities like yourselves.

SuzieSue

Won't the HA allow you to put up a post which can be folded down when you need to use the space?

http://www.vistaplan-streetware.co.uk/parking_posts_traffic_bollards-parking_posts_folding_collapsible.asp

andy.m_2

Stop, go outside for a walk, suck in the fresh air and listen to the birdies.
You need to help each other a lot more than you are.

The Ha probably think you are a massive pain and cannot fathom why you are complaining about a non entity, you dont have a car.

It is true, one of your visitors may turn away, but honestly how many of them have?

Get a grip, laugh about it and move along with your life

theartfullodger

A bit of a radical thought but, have you ever thought of getting a job?

Morgage_Confused

and your own house/mortgage? now thats far to radical.