HELP NEEDED!! - Builders Covanent re Caravan on drive

clutton_2

i agree with earlier posts that it is only the original builder who can take court action - i believe we had a case like this on here a while back. i would firstly go and talk to the neighbour and see why he is objectiong now and not many years ago - if for example he is moving, you might find a compromise around you moving it occasionally for his viewing convenience.

if he has not got a decent reason for objecting now, then thank him for his time, go home and do absolutely nothing, dont answer the sols letter and let him do what he thinks is best.

if you answer a sols letter - all you succeed in doing is giving them more ammunition to hurl at you.

*Louise*

It seems weird thay they are just bothering about this after 20-odd years.....did they speak to you about it at all, or was the solicitors letter the first you heard?

Does seem rather nasty and awkward of them imo.

Andy_Hamilton

There is normally a something stating no commecial vehical aswell. Have a look for that and knock on the neighbours door.
You could also "borrow" a few taxed cars and block up the road around his house and tell them not to be silly and you will remove your "visiting guests" cars.

paddy's_mum

I'm afraid my mind must be feeling somewhat devious today as it sprang almost immediately into the same mode as Andy Hamilton.

I was going to suggest that you take steps to remove your caravan to secure storage for a while and in its place, park the largest, tattiest, most lurid colour transit type van that you can lay hands on, perhaps a £100 non-runner from your nearest scrap yard. Any comments .. "well, I aim to restore it to take under privileged kids on day outings, though it may be a long term project, you understand"!

Seriously, I would suggest that a one-off consultation with an experienced solicitor may be a prudent move, if only to be sure that you are on solid legal ground.

Such pettiness does make you wonder if whingeing neighbours of this type ever stop to think that they may be setting off a far worse train of events than the sight of a tidy, cared for little touring caravan could ever do. I also wonder if there is anything in highway law or the covenants to prevent you parking the caravan actually on the road outside your home. Might be worth making an enquiry or two.

PS If this neighbour keeps on, let me know and (hating NsFH as I do) I'll gladly send you a quid towards that eyesore of a transit van!

pinkshoes

Buy an old banger of a car, attach the caravan to it, and park it right outside your neighbours house.

Actually, you could park it across their driveway so long as you don't block them in, as it's only illegal to prevent people leaving their property!

Or you could ignore the petty stuff I wrote above, and just go round and talk to them nicely, and politely ask them why they've suddenly requested you move it, and what the problem is.

kisk

Do you have a resident association or factor for the estate? If so maybe they could help. If you check through the deeds you will maybe find other items such as door colour or fence colour that you could maybe use to counter your neighbours dispute.

Anything to stop you parking it in the street?

Good luck

kisk

evetsnworb

The street started a committee to try and stop damage to fences which were getting damaged by local kids and through something completely different the caravan issue came up. The people with the objections just both happen to be on the committee. Neither of them have actually spoken about the issue other than rant and rave about it at the meetings when other people are there to try and get other street members involved too. And now the solicitor letter threatening legal action if not moved in 14 days.

What was once a nice pleasent street where everyone got on, has no turned into a street where some people don't speak and ignore each other which is a real shame as those involved used to be really good friends and all of a sudden you have all that kicked back in your face. People quickly forget about all the things you have helped them with over the years! "it really makes you think how much they valued your friendship".

We really don't need all this and we don't want to get involved with the same old petty stuff saying "this person has done this or that person has done that". I'm sure in every street in the country more than 1 person is breaking various different covenants (ours included) but most people just get on with it, us included.

shelovestobuystuff

Sounds like a couple of right busy body neighbours have wound up the rest of the residents over this and its just got out of hand,infact I bet its just one neighbour who no-one likes to disagree with.Theres one of those at the end of our street too.He always has to have some sort of mission or point to prove,they never get anywhere though as someone eventually puts a stop to the nonsense.
The transit van idea is good and so is the parking the caravan on the street,or just pull the covenant to pieces and point out how everyone else is breaking the rules too.Theres sure to be a bit in there about work vehicles,the types of trees and heights of trees and fences allowed,sometimes even the colours permitted for painting walls etc.By all means talk to them first but have some fun playing them at their own game.
I can understand you not wanting to get involved in the pettiness and hope it doesnt go any further.Good luck with it.

chappers

only the builders or interested parties named in the covenant can enforce the covenant and I'm sure they wouldn't bother now,even if they are still in business

TBeckett100

tell them you know some irish travellers who can demonstrate nuisance caravans