Next Door's Cheek

coxella · 2025-10-19T13:49:58+00:00

My Dad recently passed away. He let his neighbours keep their hot dog van on his drive for 'a few weeks', (t was never moved or used, they just stored it there), it must have been there for about 5 years now, but he said he didn't mind. We are now in the process of sorting his house and want to get the estate agent around for pics, etc, however, the neighbours are giving excuse after excuse why its not been moved yet, these seem to be blatant lies and stalling. Can anyone advise where we stand on this and what we can do? if there wasn't a brake on the wheel we would drag it round to their drive ourselves.

Brie · 2025-10-19T13:55:39+00:00

Send them an invoice for rent of the drive? Advise that as they haven't paid for 5 years that the van will be sold as scrap to clear the bill.

I suspect it's not been MOT'd or insured or taxed for some time which is why they are slow to move it. As I understand it there is no right for you to remove it or have it towed but others might correct me on that. The only thing is that if the van was blocking you from getting dad's car out to sell then it may be different. Either way as the van is on private property the police won't be interested as it will be considered a civil rather than criminal issue.

That said - I wonder if a local locksmith would be able to remove the brake?

marcia_ · 2025-10-19T13:59:04+00:00

Im pretty sure they can remove it from private property. I thought it was only if it was in the street it couldn't be moved as its a public highway.

Brie · 2025-10-19T14:04:06+00:00

marcia_ said:

Im pretty sure they can remove it from private property. I thought it was only if it was in the street it couldn't be moved as its a public highway.

It could be moved if on a public highway if it was blocking someone coming out of the drive but not if it's stopping them driving on to the property. It can't be removed if it's simply sitting there forever parked properly and legally but can be if it's not taxed.

peterhjohnson · 2025-10-19T14:39:48+00:00

I think you can serve reasonable notice on the owner of property who has left their property on your land to remove it or face you disposing of it and claiming expenses?