Allocated parking. Neighbour’s been using our parking space

katkatmachine

Hi. We live in a new build terrace (ours is the end one). Right in front of our house is our allocated parking and next to it are the neighbours’. Our next door neighbour’s been using our parking without permission when just next to it is their parking. We don’t have a car but it’s annoying seeing their car right in front of our house in our parking space. 

Do you think we are being unreasonable? We don’t have a car yet but we are planning to buy one in a few months. Do you think i should talk to them about it or leave a note? Please advise. 

SpiderLegs

Why dont you just ignore it and then when you buy a car, park in your place?

numbercruncher8

So who is using their own space?
If it's empty, why is yours preferred?

You could simply just talk to them and just say you don't mind them using it now, but you'll be getting your own car soon and as such you'll require the space back. 

If it's off-road you could simply leave some bins or something else bulky in the place if it is annoying.

Rachlou_25

I feel your pain on this one, my previous property was an end terrace with allocated parking round the back -  1 allocated space and loads of visitor parking. My neighbours would not only not use their allocated space, they would park both of their huge Range Rovers across the front gardens/paths of all 4 houses in the block...even though I didn’t want to park in front of my house, it made my blood boil to see someone else doing it!

Unfortunately the best way to deter them is by parking your own car there.  I’ve gone down the note route but it can end badly and is never well received no matter how nicely it’s written (tbh I can’t hide my sarcastic tone so it’s probably my own fault this hasn’t worked for me!).  

Speaking to them in person would be better but if they see you aren’t intending on using the space for yourself they’ll think ‘why were they so bothered if they aren’t using it’  

If you can wait it out until you have your own car, that would be the easiest way to justify why it does bother you! 

katkatmachine

numbercruncher8 said:

So who is using their own space?
If it's empty, why is yours preferred?

You could simply just talk to them and just say you don't mind them using it now, but you'll be getting your own car soon and as such you'll require the space back. 

If it's off-road you could simply leave some bins or something else bulky in the place if it is annoying.

I think they prefer it because it’s nearer their house. It’s annoying because I could see it from my bedroom window at the very front of our house i can see their car parked in our spot when just literally next to it is their own allocated parking.

moneysavinghero

Can't you steal  buy a traffic cone from somewhere and then leave it in your parking space. Or leave you wheelie bin in the parking space for a week or two until they get the message.

jimbog

https://www.screwfix.com/p/streetwize-parking-post-0-7m/4053r

elsien

I'm  not sure that getting worked up about it at the moment is going to be particularly productive.
Yes it's your allocated space and they do have their own, but at the moment you don't need it and you're not using it. On that basis, telling them to stop using it is going to come across as petty. Unless you will be having visitors who need to use it when we are actually allowed visitors again.

No point stewing on something that at the moment makes little practical difference. Mention to the neighbour in passing that you will be getting your own car so will be using your own space, then leave it till it actually happens. These things have a habit of getting blown out of proportion otherwise. 

wannabe_a_saver

I'd say try not to get too worked up about being able to see a car at the front of your house.  For loads of people who live on streets where anybody can park anywhere, that's just life.  Plus, when you get your own car you'll still be able to see a car in front of your house the only difference will be it will belong to you! 

Maybe because its closer to their house they are mistaken and think its actually their allocated space?  

Either way, I wouldn't worry about it until you have a car you need to park, then nicely ask them to stop using it (after double checking it is definitely yours! )

annetheman

Rachlou_25 said:

Unfortunately the best way to deter them is by parking your own car there.  I’ve gone down the note route but it can end badly and is never well received no matter how nicely it’s written (tbh I can’t hide my sarcastic tone so it’s probably my own fault this hasn’t worked for me!).  

This is very true. I just moved into my first place on Saturday - I went downstairs to stick my permit on the windscreen on Sunday morning and found this note on it:

It's not a nasty note at all but the presumptuous cheek of it - telling me that MY allocated space is "in use" -- yes, by ME!

I just stuck my permit on, clearly with my bay number on it, and haven't had a note since (granted only been here 5 days).

As "nicely" written as it was, it really tainted my second day here. I was very perturbed by it, thinking about somebody probably storming out ready to report me for still parking in my own space, then backing down when they saw the permit.
Probably forever angry at me for having a space when they don't (1 beds don't have parking here, only 2 beds, and there is nowhere within at least 5 minutes walk to park)! I feel like I won the battle but the sour taste will always remain thanks to that.

I would definitely, definitely speak to them in person! You don't need to justify not wanting someone to use what is yours.

Slithery

annetheman said:
As "nicely" written as it was, it really tainted my second day here. I was very perturbed by it, thinking about somebody probably storming out ready to report me for still parking in my own space, then backing down when they saw the permit.

Probably forever angry at me for having a space when they don't (1 beds don't have parking here, only 2 beds, and there is nowhere within at least 5 minutes walk to park)! I feel like I won the battle but the sour taste will always remain thanks to that.

You need to chill out. They were doing you a favour by letting whoever was parked there know that it is an allocated space and not for public use.