Advice please...f Forums

Lys520

Hello

Wondered if anyone can give me some advice. Feeling very sad and a little bullied at the moment Sad

I know there has been a topic about this before, but wondered what approach I should take. I have a 5m (not hugely pretty) van, which I now keep at home. I used to keep it in storage at a cost of £500 a year, which I now can't afford to do.

Most of the time it is parked at the end of the road (a dead end) away from everyone, except my good friends who's house is nearby and they don't have a problem.

For the last two weeks or so, it has been parked on my drive as we have been away for the last 3 weekends and I have been cleaning, charging etc.

I live in a cul-de-sac and we have a committee who deals mainly with a bit of private woodland co-owned by the residents.

I am usually able to, polietly, fend off the snarly comments and moans I get about the van and try to do my best to reassure everyone and keep the other residents happy.

This morning I was approached by one neighbour who has informed me I was the highlight of this weeks committee meeting and to expect a "visit".

I really don't want to upset anyone and want to keep the peace. The deeds of my house do not restrict caravans or MH's and it is fully taxed and insured. I will do all I can within my reach to keep people happy, but now I'm feeling a little intimidated about imminent visit (we have a couple of quite bullish individuals in the road) and not sure of the best way to handle it. Sorry to go on, but don't really have anyone else to discuss this issue with. (My sister told me last week that "that heap ruined the street" Crying or Very sad

) I love my van. We have loads of fun with it and I would hate to have to part with it.

Thoughts please?

Lisa

Alfa_Scud

Hiya Lisa,
To be honest, if you have no restrictive covenants, & you're not causing an obstruction, & the van's neatly parked etc......

I'd tell them in the most polite terms possible to "Get stuffed & mind your own business!!!" Like you say the van's taxed & insured so it's not like you've got an illegal scrapheap sat there. Your friends are happy with it where it normally parks, & it doesn't sound like you're blocking anyones light etc, so enjoy it.

I'm getting a little fed up myself with all the hitlers who seem to want to impress their will onto others. Tell 'em to go prune some trees Very Happy

Zebedee

I agree with Chris Lisa.

On the face of what you say, the committee members own their own homes and gardens, and you own yours. They do not own the street, much as they might like to think they do.

End of argument I'd say.

The second word you will need when they visit is . . . . . "off", though it might be more effective to smile sweetly and grease a bit. It's always better to resolve things amicably if you can.

geraldandannie · Moderator

It sounds like they have no legal basis to ask you to move it. Try not to be intimidated, but listen to their objections. You could try telling them that you're going to speak to the council and ask their advice. That might shut them up.

Is the cul de sac a public road, or is it unadopted? There are no restrictions on parking on a public road as long as you're taxed & insured.

It all sounds very petty. Tell 'em to come and talk to us on here about it Evil or Very Mad

Gerald

bandaid

Hi there,

keeping anything other than a car in your drive can be, for some people and contentious subject, and, beauty is in the eye of the beholder;

I'm just a little surprised at your sisters comment, ( I presume that she lives in the street, if not, well, ) maybe thats what she thinks, but if I were her, personnally would keep that opinion to myself, unless you ask her for her hnest opinion. ( I'm presuming you havent, Question

)

If this committee is one which is legally constituted, and is concerned with the entire street as well as the Woodland, do they have the power to require you to remove the van from its present location? If they are only entitled to deal with the woodland, and thats not where you park, or within a reasonable distance of access to it, they maybe, blustering.

You say there are no covenants to prevent you keeping the van in your house, so actually theres room for negotiation, potentially,

I appreciate you wanting to keep the peace, but there comes a time, when you must decide. Is your van more important than keeping the peace, thats a hard decision, but ultimately, you really only have 3 choices;
Keep the van in storage

Keep the van in the place it is now

Sell the van.

Tell them, very politely,( as you are fully road legal,) to bugger off.

thats 4 options then...

However, if you feel intimidated by the " bullish " members of the commitee, then make sure that you have someone with you, or contact a less overpowering member, and decline any personnal visits and tell them you will attend a meeting, you wil be accompanied, and will leave if you feel bullied or intimidated by the attitude or actions of any or all of the members.

NO matter the circumstances, or their actual or imagined powers, they have no right to bully or intimidate. At all, Never.
( This is the just in case bit... this is a moral and not a legal thing, its an uninformed opinion, based on my thoughts, and should not be construed as advice, if in doubt, finally, take properly qualified legal advice.)

bandaid

Oh OR,

as has been suggested about a similar situation,

you could suggest.

I can no longer afford the storage fees. Since the committee has a problem with where it is now ( if it is) legally parked. I would happily return the vehicle to storage if the committee would like to pay my storage fees.

JockandRita

Hi Lisa,

Please don't feel intimidated. you appear to be well within the law.

Oh I do wish that I was the recipient of their visit, and if they were unreasonable and went away unhappy, I would be more than pleased to legally park my "motor vehicle" outside their house.

Probably not within your nature, but you would be within your rights to do so.

Invite them in for a brew, and a chat about it, (your territory), and tell them what they obviously don't know, about your roadworthy and legal motor vehicle.

The very best of luck.

Jock.

Lys520

Thank you all so much for your support. It really is important sometimes to know you're not alone!!

This morning I have had a chat with a few other residents, who have advised me that although, yes its not great parked on the drive, they really don't have a problem with it and know me well enough to know I'll do what I can to keep the peace. AND also that leagally, I'm within the law.

Soooo, that in mind, I await visit (feeling much happier and less intimidated). A few people in my road do seem to think they own the whole street and can order others around. I will keep strong and polite and smiley Laughing

Off for a lovely weekend away from petty politics in my van now. Laughing

Lisa

EdsMH

Lys

Sounds like you are already doing the right things:

- build support by talking to other residents to show you care but it is something you enjoy. Even try to get them to have a look inside as you might make a few converts. Wink

-encourage those that have a problem to talk direct and let you know what it is they do not like
-as banaid suggested point out the cost of storage and if they feel strongly enough do they wish to pay
-lastly just keep reminding them that whilst you are a nice person (Having met you I thought so) and want to live in harmony you will not be bullyed and you are within your rights to keep the van on your property.

Above all do not let it get to you and enjoy your van at every opportunity....you never know you could encourage them to pay for your outings and then it would not be on the drive. Laughing

Ed