Keeping private parking private

FlorayG

My rental property has two private parking spaces, off the road on the other side from the house, on the house deeds. My current tenants don't have a car but tell me they are getting annoyed at other people parking there when they want the spaces for friends who visit
Obviously, someone in the street has noticed that the space isn't used daily.
Is there a way to enforce private parking without going to the extreme of buying a wheel clamp? (which I wouldn't do)

ReadingTim

Short of physically obstructing the space so someone else can't park there, no.  

PRAISETHESUN

Any chance of putting up some signage or fencing, or just putting something really big (but moveable) in the spaces? Outside of that, can they have a chat with the owners of the vehicle(s) in question?

Abbafan1972

put a note on the windscreen of a car parked there, maybe? 

fluffymuffy

Perhaps a sign offering parking for £10/hour ?

Then the offender can at least be aware of possible consequences.

You don't need to state any enforcement measures.

daveyjp

If they have large bins put them on the drive.

Grumpy_chap

FlorayG said:

My rental property has two private parking spaces, off the road on the other side from the house, on the house deeds. My current tenants don't have a car but tell me they are getting annoyed at other people parking there when they want the spaces for friends who visit
Obviously, someone in the street has noticed that the space isn't used daily.
Is there a way to enforce private parking without going to the extreme of buying a wheel clamp? (which I wouldn't do)

What is the arrangement for the private parking spaces?
Could a gate / chain / fold-down bollard or similar be used?

It is actually probably more to your benefit than the tenants to have the parking space protected against casual use as it preserves the value of the property.  

eddddy

FlorayG said:

Is there a way to enforce private parking without going to the extreme of buying a wheel clamp? (which I wouldn't do)

Just so you know... clamping (or blocking or towing away) somebody else's car would be a criminal offence under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 - even if it's parked on your private land.

But you could...

• put a lockable post to prevent them parking in the first place
• leave a note on their windscreen asking them not to park there in future
• just put a cone (or cones or similar) in the space in the hope that people will take the gentle hint 

But unless you are actually allowing people to park in the space, I think this is probably an issue for your tenants to resolve with whoever is parking in their space. 

Bigphil1474

You could put a fold down bollard in. I'd start with the note on the windscreen suggestion myself (get the tenants to do it).

Abbafan1972

Fold down bollards is a good idea. Then when the tenants know they have a visitor, they can unlock it. 

ThisIsWeird

As Eddddy says, this is (afaIk) an issue for your tenant to sort, like any 'neighbourly dispute'.

They have a number of options open to them, many mentioned above - I'd go for just the heavy traffic cone to begin with. But, if the tenant is having an issue, it's for them to resolve.

All you can do is support them by considering allowing a more permanent fixture such as a fold-down bollard, provided the tenant pays for it, and it's done professionally. Or, if you fancy the idea of one anyway, offering to contribute.

You could also provide your tenant with a copy of the deeds map, so they have evidence of their right to these spaces.

Other than that, not your problem.