Have you ever paid to park on someone else’s driveway? Has someone parked on your drive without permission? The rules surrounding parking on another person’s property can be confusing.
In this dedicated article about parking on other people’s driveways, here at Wilsons Epsom, we confirm what is classed as legal or illegal parking behaviour in the UK, what to do if someone parks on your property without permission, and how you can rent your driveway to make money. Read on to find out more…
Parking in someone else’s driveway without permission is a controversial move and can cause much frustration and distress to the property owners. If you are a victim of an uninvited vehicle on your drive, then where do you stand in terms of the law?
Although there is not a specific criminal law to restrict people parking on your drive without consent, technically, it is classed as trespassing; this is because a driveway is deemed part of your private property. However, it’s worth noting that trespassing is a civil offence rather than a criminal offence, so the police are unlikely to be able to make an arrest if you arrive home to find someone else parked in your driveway.
If someone parks on your drive without permission, the first thing you should do is remain calm. An uninvited vehicle parking on your property is technically trespassing, but unfortunately not an illegal act as such. This means the police may not be able to help you remove it, unless the driver has caused harm or damage to your property as a result.
Instead, it is best to wait until the driver returns so you can speak with them in person and explain they have parked on private property. In some cases, the driver may have parked on your driveway in error and will be only too sorry for their mistake.
If you suspect that a vehicle has been abandoned on your drive, then you will need to call the local council to request the car be removed. Do bear in mind that this can be a lengthy process, as by law, council’s have to give 15 days notice before removing an abandoned vehicle.
If you arrive home to find someone has partially blocked your drive, or you plan to head out only to find you've been blocked in by another vehicle, then the first thing you should do is speak to your neighbours. More often than not, the offending vehicle will be someone visiting a nearby neighbour.
Your next option would be to leave a polite note carefully placed under the windscreen wiper of the car - this will inform the driver of their inconvenient parking choices so that they don’t do it again. If the driver has parked over a dropped kerb or you believe the vehicle has been abandoned, contact your local council for further advice and assistance.
Living in a densely populated area or a popular tourist spot can leave you at risk of inconsiderate drivers. To help protect your driveway from being parked on or partially blocked, there are a number of preventative measures you can take:
Owners of private driveways are cashing in on the opportunities to rent it out to daily commuters and weekend tourists. If you have space on your driveway, why not consider this option too, it’s a simple process to get started…
Websites such as Just Park and Your Parking Space allow property owners to earn thousands of pounds from renting their driveways, while enabling millions of drivers to book a guaranteed parking space. Simply sign-up and start reaping the rewards!
Are you aware of the law when it comes to parking in the UK? Many motorists are unsure what the rules are of parking on private or public roads. To help you, we have listed the most important parking rules for drivers:
Always make sure you follow the rules of the road when parking as outlined by the official Highway Code.