Parking disputes with neighbours can quickly become awkward, especially when your own access is restricted. Before tempers flare, it helps to know what you can and cannot do.
Do I have rights if my neighbours park outside my home?
According to Andrew Boast, director and founder of SAM Conveyancing, most homeowners are unaware that they have no legal right to the stretch of road outside their property. Council enforcement hinges on one key question: "Is your dropped kerb an officially licensed council crossover?" Only a Section 184 licensed crossover allows councils to issue a Penalty Charge Notice under the Traffic Management Act 2004, while unlicensed crossings cannot be enforced.
Boast also warned that "being blocked out and being blocked in are treated very differently." Police are unlikely to intervene if someone is preventing access to an empty driveway, but if you're trapped inside your property, they may treat it as wilful obstruction and arrange for the vehicle to be removed.
What about a dropped kerb?
Automotive specialist Matt Clamp at Scrap Car Comparison advised that the simplest solution is usually to "politely ask them to move it" if you know who owns the vehicle. If the owner is unknown, contact your local council, which may issue a Penalty Charge Notice or, in more serious cases, arrange for removal. However, this is "a lengthy process" and not an immediate solution. Clamp also stressed that motorists should "avoid causing any damage to the vehicle," as doing so could lead to criminal charges, fines or compensation claims.
What if neighbours park in your driveway?
All three experts agreed that this is a different situation entirely, and could be considered trespassing. Peter Thum-Bonanno, Co-Founder and CTO of GetAgent, said: "Your driveway is private property, and a vehicle parked on it without permission is trespassing. However, you cannot simply have the car towed or damage it in any way, as that could expose you to a civil claim. The correct route is to contact the police, or if the vehicle is abandoned, the DVLA can arrange removal after a period."
A firm but polite note on the vehicle is often the fastest resolution, followed by a letter before action from a solicitor if the problem persists. If the issue continues, document everything with photographs, timestamps and a written log of incidents. Unresolved parking disputes can become an issue when selling a property, as neighbour disagreements over access may arise during conveyancing and delay or complicate a sale.
