Caravan on a neighbours driveway
Discussion
First of all I'll state I'm a fan of touring caravans and was brought up doing various holidays in one with my folks. I'm not a caravan hater if anything the opposite !
However, the neighbour has had a touring caravan on their drive for nearly 12months with it moving 2 maybe 3 times in that period and for a few days each time. It never gets used to the point no plate is on the van and hasn't been for months. That's a side issue but puts into context that this isn't a regularly used van.
I have asked the neighbour twice about it. First time was around 5months ago where they stated it would be moved into storage in a few weeks (after it had been there for 7months) and the other month where I then got a different story about space waiting to being cleared at a family members or something which was all a bit wooly.
On top of the above the van actually doesn't belong to the residents of the house but their son, who resides a few mins walk round the corner.
I have checked our deeds and there is a covenant preventing caravans. Other neighbours have also raised it in passing with myself who are not happy about the "eyesore".
It also causes a slight hazard when reversing out our drive as it restricts your view down the street, they may just push it up the drive a bit to help this so I don't think that's a strong argument but still a valid point.
It is also adjacent to a small strip of land that is left to ruin (overgrown, weeds etc.) which borders our property but is shielded by the van from theirs so they don't see it.
IMO we've been extremely patient (It sat Nov to May then I had the 1st conversation. May to July 2nd conversation). Each conversation was in passing aswell (over the fence), I wasn't door stepping them.
I can talk again to the neighbour with a more forceful conversation but would be interested to hear if others have had a similar situation and how it played out.
However, the neighbour has had a touring caravan on their drive for nearly 12months with it moving 2 maybe 3 times in that period and for a few days each time. It never gets used to the point no plate is on the van and hasn't been for months. That's a side issue but puts into context that this isn't a regularly used van.
I have asked the neighbour twice about it. First time was around 5months ago where they stated it would be moved into storage in a few weeks (after it had been there for 7months) and the other month where I then got a different story about space waiting to being cleared at a family members or something which was all a bit wooly.
On top of the above the van actually doesn't belong to the residents of the house but their son, who resides a few mins walk round the corner.
I have checked our deeds and there is a covenant preventing caravans. Other neighbours have also raised it in passing with myself who are not happy about the "eyesore".
It also causes a slight hazard when reversing out our drive as it restricts your view down the street, they may just push it up the drive a bit to help this so I don't think that's a strong argument but still a valid point.
It is also adjacent to a small strip of land that is left to ruin (overgrown, weeds etc.) which borders our property but is shielded by the van from theirs so they don't see it.
IMO we've been extremely patient (It sat Nov to May then I had the 1st conversation. May to July 2nd conversation). Each conversation was in passing aswell (over the fence), I wasn't door stepping them.
I can talk again to the neighbour with a more forceful conversation but would be interested to hear if others have had a similar situation and how it played out.
CSK423 said:
First of all I'll state I'm a fan of touring caravans and was brought up doing various holidays in one with my folks. I'm not a caravan hater if anything the opposite !
However, the neighbour has had a touring caravan on their drive for nearly 12months with it moving 2 maybe 3 times in that period and for a few days each time. It never gets used to the point no plate is on the van and hasn't been for months. That's a side issue but puts into context that this isn't a regularly used van.
I have asked the neighbour twice about it. First time was around 5months ago where they stated it would be moved into storage in a few weeks (after it had been there for 7months) and the other month where I then got a different story about space waiting to being cleared at a family members or something which was all a bit wooly.
On top of the above the van actually doesn't belong to the residents of the house but their son, who resides a few mins walk round the corner.
I have checked our deeds and there is a covenant preventing caravans. Other neighbours have also raised it in passing with myself who are not happy about the "eyesore".
It also causes a slight hazard when reversing out our drive as it restricts your view down the street, they may just push it up the drive a bit to help this so I don't think that's a strong argument but still a valid point.
It is also adjacent to a small strip of land that is left to ruin (overgrown, weeds etc.) which borders our property but is shielded by the van from theirs so they don't see it.
IMO we've been extremely patient (It sat Nov to May then I had the 1st conversation. May to July 2nd conversation). Each conversation was in passing aswell (over the fence), I wasn't door stepping them.
I can talk again to the neighbour with a more forceful conversation but would be interested to hear if others have had a similar situation and how it played out.
Not sure this is a serious post tbh.However, the neighbour has had a touring caravan on their drive for nearly 12months with it moving 2 maybe 3 times in that period and for a few days each time. It never gets used to the point no plate is on the van and hasn't been for months. That's a side issue but puts into context that this isn't a regularly used van.
I have asked the neighbour twice about it. First time was around 5months ago where they stated it would be moved into storage in a few weeks (after it had been there for 7months) and the other month where I then got a different story about space waiting to being cleared at a family members or something which was all a bit wooly.
On top of the above the van actually doesn't belong to the residents of the house but their son, who resides a few mins walk round the corner.
I have checked our deeds and there is a covenant preventing caravans. Other neighbours have also raised it in passing with myself who are not happy about the "eyesore".
It also causes a slight hazard when reversing out our drive as it restricts your view down the street, they may just push it up the drive a bit to help this so I don't think that's a strong argument but still a valid point.
It is also adjacent to a small strip of land that is left to ruin (overgrown, weeds etc.) which borders our property but is shielded by the van from theirs so they don't see it.
IMO we've been extremely patient (It sat Nov to May then I had the 1st conversation. May to July 2nd conversation). Each conversation was in passing aswell (over the fence), I wasn't door stepping them.
I can talk again to the neighbour with a more forceful conversation but would be interested to hear if others have had a similar situation and how it played out.
I'm not sure how those covenants are enforced. We have a neighbour how has his on the drive once a month overnight usually when returning, I guess to unload etc - it's not there permanently so no bother to us.
Our property is the same, no caravans, trailers, boats or goods vehicles - a lot were as during the 60's it was common to add them especially on leasehold properties.
Ours also lists that "Guttering, window frames, doors including garage should be white and in keeping with the originals fitted and that the property must be maintained visually to an acceptable standard" - how the hell can that be enforced?
Not on topic, but most random one on ours is "the firing/curing of bricks and roof tiles is forbidden".
Our property is the same, no caravans, trailers, boats or goods vehicles - a lot were as during the 60's it was common to add them especially on leasehold properties.
Ours also lists that "Guttering, window frames, doors including garage should be white and in keeping with the originals fitted and that the property must be maintained visually to an acceptable standard" - how the hell can that be enforced?
Not on topic, but most random one on ours is "the firing/curing of bricks and roof tiles is forbidden".
Edited by sortedcossie on Thursday 5th September 10:27
We have a similar covenant on our deeds, outlawing caravans and trade vans. However my solicitor explained I'd have to demonstrate financial loss to enforce this in anyway and was used mostly by new build developers to keep these things away while they sell all the houses.
All you can do is keep asking the neighbour to shift the eyesore, gently remind them of the covenant and get all the neighbours to do the same.
Or just move on with your life and mind your own business, is it really worth falling out over - people can get very petty.
All you can do is keep asking the neighbour to shift the eyesore, gently remind them of the covenant and get all the neighbours to do the same.
Or just move on with your life and mind your own business, is it really worth falling out over - people can get very petty.
CSK423 said:
I have checked our deeds and there is a covenant preventing caravans. Other neighbours have also raised it in passing with myself who are not happy about the "eyesore".
I suggest you get a stern "solicitor's letter" sent to the property owners and see if that has the desired effect. If they just ignore it you're no worse off and haven't wasted a lot of money on court proceedings with an uncertain outcome.Our estate banned caravans and commercial vehicles back in the70s. I brought a caravan home once in the early days and was told to move it, as they weren't allowed. I drew their attention to their site office, opposite my house. It was a mobile caravan. I simply said Id move mine when they moved theirs. Kept my caravan there for the next 8 seasons till I moved house. They moved theirs after 3 months.
Also, one guy told to move his HGV from outside his door. He declined as it was a breakdown vehicle and he was on emergency call out for police, and response time was an issue.
Thereafter, commercial vehicles and caravans...... and car ports which were also "banned" went rife.
Also, one guy told to move his HGV from outside his door. He declined as it was a breakdown vehicle and he was on emergency call out for police, and response time was an issue.
Thereafter, commercial vehicles and caravans...... and car ports which were also "banned" went rife.
Panamax said:
CSK423 said:
I have checked our deeds and there is a covenant preventing caravans. Other neighbours have also raised it in passing with myself who are not happy about the "eyesore".
I suggest you get a stern "solicitor's letter" sent to the property owners and see if that has the desired effect. If they just ignore it you're no worse off and haven't wasted a lot of money on court proceedings with an uncertain outcome.I can understand your frustration. However, covenants aren't worth the paper they're written on and unfortunately if you try to escalate the situation it will only go one way. Neighbour disputes can get very expensive, both emotionally and financially, very quickly.
Just mow the weedy bit of land and accept there is no point in getting upset over something you have no control over.
Just mow the weedy bit of land and accept there is no point in getting upset over something you have no control over.
sortedcossie said:
I'm not sure how those covenants are enforced. We have a neighbour how has his on the drive once a month overnight usually when returning, I guess to unload etc - it's not there permanently so no bother to us.
Our property is the same, no caravans, trailers, boats or goods vehicles - a lot were as during the 60's it was common to add them especially on leasehold properties.
Ours also lists that "Guttering, window frames, doors including garage should be white and in keeping with the originals fitted and that the property must be maintained visually to an acceptable standard" - how the hell can that be enforced?
Not on topic, but most random one on ours is "the firing/curing of bricks and roof tiles is forbidden".
Apart from the usual ones above, I am not allowed to keep pigs, operate as a lunatic asylum or as an airport! An airport? You couldn't even land a Harrier in my garden, and believe me, I've tried! Our property is the same, no caravans, trailers, boats or goods vehicles - a lot were as during the 60's it was common to add them especially on leasehold properties.
Ours also lists that "Guttering, window frames, doors including garage should be white and in keeping with the originals fitted and that the property must be maintained visually to an acceptable standard" - how the hell can that be enforced?
Not on topic, but most random one on ours is "the firing/curing of bricks and roof tiles is forbidden".
You could moan about the caravan, quote the convenants on the deeds, but where is it going to get you in the long run? Yes the caravan may move but relationships with neigbour will be down the drain. Live and let live?
Perhaps it would annoy me a little if I lived in surbubia but I don't and if this sort of stuff upsets you'd i'd recommend rural living. My only concerns are the level and number of stinging nettles in the field behind my house.
Perhaps it would annoy me a little if I lived in surbubia but I don't and if this sort of stuff upsets you'd i'd recommend rural living. My only concerns are the level and number of stinging nettles in the field behind my house.
When we moved onto our new build estate 7 years ago, that included a similar covenant. One of my neighbours had an old speedboat on their drive that they were doing up over winter and they were asked to move it by the developers as they were struggling to sell the house next door, which was the largest, most expensive one on the estate.
In return they redid the small grass area in front of their house with stone as an additional parking space
In return they redid the small grass area in front of their house with stone as an additional parking space
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