Neighbours car parked in front of mums house caused a break-in

paul2louise

My mum parks her car in a garage. She has been letting a neighbour park his Golf GTI in front of her house. 2 weeks ago her front door was forced, key lock removed, security light broken and some other door and security damage incurred. They failed to get into her house as she has clips on the door on the inside. The police told her that there is gang in the area breaking into houses to steal cars. As the neighbours car is in front of the house they were trying to break in to steal the car. The neighbour was a bit put out that they wanted to steal his car. He wasnt very sorry about what happened to my mum who is on her own and this happened as a result of his car being parked. He has moved his car for now, not sure where. He hasnt offered anything towards her costs which I know he doesnt have to but as it was a favour it might of been a kind gesture. But I suppose he has every right to park wherever he wants as noone owns the road. I just want a bit of advice as she is very upset and frightened and out of pocket with costs involved. 

MorningcoffeeIV

She should probably not let him park there again, if it's her space/driveway.

Maybe consider some CCTV if burglary is common in the area.

She may be able to claim on her home insurance, but the excess may not make it worthwhile.

dimbo61

Not much you or your mum can do except improve security.
Car thieves  don't like being on camera so cctv will put them off. As for neighbour well he can park on the road or elsewhere  but it would be Please don't park on mum,s drive again.
Golf is the second most stolen car 

EssexHebridean

So was your Mum letting him park in front of the house on the drive - or was he simply parking the car at the roadside - in which case nobody was "letting him" do anything. 

In any event - it's a bit of a giant leap from "there is a gang in the area breaking in to houses to steal cars" to "my Mum's house got broken into under the mistaken belief that a particular car was hers" - it sounds like more of a theory than a known fact, to be honest? 

I'll add - I can well understand her being very upset about the attempt to break in - perhaps really encourage her to look at the positive ie her security measures did the trick - and also that having been thwarted once, it's unlikely that the people concerned would waste time coming back - better to go to somewhere with easier pickings. Hopefully that might help her feel more confident again. 

DullGreyGuy

In front of her house as in on her driveway or on the street?

Whilst its unfortunate for your mother you really can't blame the neighbour, its the scrot that did the damage, especially if you are talking about on street parking given its a free for all on who parks there etc. 

Gavin83

I'm also a bit confused about the parking location, was it on her driveway or on the road outside her house? If it was on the road he doesn't need her permission to park there, anyone is free to do so.

Ultimately there's a lot of assumptions in the post as well, there's no way to prove they were attempting to steal the neighbours car. Even if that could be proven he still wouldn't owe her anything.

As they didn't get in her security is clearly already pretty good but I agree with the others, a CCTV camera wouldn't hurt. Or get a dog. Not as cheap but it'll also provide some company.

TBagpuss

Sorry your mum had such an unpleasant experience but it's not really anything to do with the neighbour.

Even if she was allowing him to park on her driveway, rather than in the street, it's not his fault that the house was targeted by thieves and you only have speculation that they were after car keys.If he was parked on the street it wasn't a favour and he doesn't owe hr anything. If he was parked on her driveway it was a favour but I don't think he owes her anything more than would be reasonable for the favour she did him -so a bunch of flowers or some chocolates as a thank you, but the attempted break in is not his responsibility. 

I'd suggest that you look at what will make her feel a bit more secure - it sounds as though her house is in fact pretty secure, they didn't get in, but understandably she will feel anxious. Maybe look into getting her an alarm and a security camera? 

Exodi

I don't think I could be paid enough to let a Golf GTI park outside my house to the point where people might assume I own it. Fortunately for me, I don't think 20 year old lads generally steal Toyota Corolla's.

Out of interest, are you talking about parking on a driveway, or literally on the public road outside her house?

If she doesn't park her car outside her house and she doesn't have a driveway, then really anyone is free to park there whether she consents or gives permission or not.

I'd keep 100% of the frustration pointed at the subhumans that tried to break in, I don't think running through these 'what if' scenarios is productive for anyone.

Also out of curiousity, why doesn't the neighbour park the car outside his house? I'm guessing they already have their own car parked out the front, and it's their 18 year old sons?

user1977

paul2louise said:

I just want a bit of advice as she is very upset and frightened and out of pocket with costs involved. 

Advice about what? If it's a public road then anybody can park there, but you seem to realise that already.

Exodi

user1977 said:

paul2louise said:

I just want a bit of advice as she is very upset and frightened and out of pocket with costs involved. 

Advice about what? If it's a public road then anybody can park there, but you seem to realise that already.

If it really is the public road (and not a driveway) as we suspect and has been alluded to, it's a pretty massive leap to even consider that the owner of the car that just so happened to be parked outside on that day is somehow liable for the burglarly?

Surely not? How do you 'let someone' park on the public road outside your house?

mi-key

Having what would be considered a younger mans car parked outside the house could have stopped thieves targetting it multiple times already. Compared to an elderly lady who lives on her own, thinking there maybe a 25 year old 20 stone rugby player living there could have put them off.