THERE is nothing worse than getting back after a long day to find you cannot park anywhere near your own home.
Many people hear so many untruths on the internet and social media regarding parking disputes, we decided to give you the lowdown on what can and can't be done legally if you suffer from such a problem.
How can I stop my neighbour using my parking spot?
The first thing to remember is that nobody has an automatic right to park outside their own home.
With this in mind, you will need to resolve the situation in an amicable manner, so it is important to remain calm.
Always remember, providing they are not breaking the Highway Code, all road users are technically entitled to park outside your house in most instances.
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Having a friendly word with the neighbour in question is the first port of call, you may find that they did not realise that their parking habits bothered you.
What are my parking rights?
The main thing to consider when it comes to the law on parking and also recommendations from the Highway Code is that is all comes down to common sense and good manners in the main.
While people look upon it as an "unwritten rule" that the owner of a house should be entitled to park outside, that is sadly all it is.
Even in the case of someone blocking your driveway, it is only a common courtesy not to park directly in front of it, giving the property owner access to their own drive..
The Highway Code, paragraph 207, asks that people DO NOT park their vehicle where it might cause an obstruction to other pedestrians or road users, and cites the example of not parking in front of another person’s driveway.
In essence, while there are certain rules and regulations under the Highway Code relating to parking on public highways, mostly it’s a matter of common decency and courtesy.
If your street issues parking permits, anyone with one will be able to park anywhere along the road.
Drivers may be tempted to save the spot outside their house using a wheelie bin or cones.
However, this can be classed as an obstruction in the road and you may end up being reported to the local council or the police.
How do I report a parking problem?
Firstly, most police websites state the following:
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If a parking space is available on a public road, even if it’s directly outside your house, anyone is allowed to park in it. We appreciate this can be frustrating, especially if spaces are hard to come by on your street.
They also deem an illegally parked car to be:
If the vehicle is parked:
- on zig zag lines
- dangerously
- in a way that would prevent emergency vehicles from accessing
If these apply to your situation then you can go to your local police constabulary website and fill in the relevant contact form.
Whereas if a vehicle is parked in the following cases it needs to be reported to the local council:
- over a dropped kerb
- on a pedestrian crossing (including the area marked by the zig-zag lines)
- in spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders, residents or motorbikes (unless entitled to do so)
- in marked taxi bays, cycle lanes or red lines
- near a school entrance, bus or tram stop