Parking Wars: My house edition

[JBurt]

You could buy a cheap crappy beater and park it as obnoxiously (but leagal) as you can. Right where they park, blocking them in, etc.

Other than that I've got nothing. We've had annoying college age kids live across the street that played their garage band late into the night, had parties with underage drinking, and the only thing that worked was waiting until the main renter got old enough to not want to do that anymore.

COB has a camera in front of his house that's come in handy many times. I think that could only add to your case.

 

[CXS]

The HOA does not own your house either. It is all about the contract you signed and what you agreed to do and what conduct you will follow.

Actually, they might depending on the contract as you say. I live in a condo with an HOA, I own the airspace, not the walls, ceiling or floor.

 

[1engineer]

The problem is I like parking in my garage or driveway. It lessens the chance that someone will hit my vehicle, and it makes it safer for the neighborhood kids. Most of the neighborhood does the same, its just these dipsh*ts. I've got the HOA pres working on it as well...he lives at the end of my court, and he doesn't like driving through it every day either.

We had called on one of the calls because there was no license plate. It was tagged for tow, but they parked on both sides of it so a truck couldn't get to it. We also called on the white truck in the pic, its facing the wrong way and is illegally parked. Haven't seen a tow truck yet though.

The reason I said what i did about parking in "their" place for several days is psychological warfare. You can park where they can but they can't park where you normally do. That will get their attention. You asked for things you can do to fix the problem. Thing is sometimes you have to suck it up for awhile and be inconvienced for a bit to move forward. They know you don't like it already. You start parking in their space, especially in bad weather you might get some concession from them. It's what I would do.

 

[Toivul]

I agree 1engineer. Had a similar problem the only way we fixed it was making life difficult for them.

 

[Twisted Sid]

Do you have or can you get a snow blower? if they are parking so the street in front of your house doesn't get plowed, i'd throw all that snow across the street.

 

[ben550]

Next thing you know, there were people parking all around the cul-de-sac, people coming and going all night long, and drunken burnouts up and down the street. We moved. I'd rather move than be frustrated on a daily basis if the problem can't be solved.

That's what I would end up doing as well. I would not want to live next to ignorant neighbors. I am also very careful when moving into an area. I always scope it out, assess the neighbors, look at satellite imagery of the back yards of the neighbors, check out city-data, look at the registered sex offenders mapping site, etc... Be smart about where you bed down.

Expect some retaliation from the neighbors though no matter what road you take

Exactly. If you start messing with other people's property expect them to return the favor and escalate the situation... especially since they are the low lifers they appear to be.

Do you have or can you get a snow blower? if they are parking so the street in front of your house doesn't get plowed, i'd throw all that snow across the street.

Like others have said If I were you, I'd make it as inconvenient for them as possible. Make the calls, report issues/violations. Is the boat registered? Is the trailer registered? Use the snow to your advantage. Do you know someone with a plow? Next time it snows call them to come over and plow mountains of snow in front of your house on the street to block all the parking. Leave where you want them to park open...

 

[Millerad1651]

That's what I would end up doing as well. I would not want to live next to ignorant neighbors. I am also very careful when moving into an area. I always scope it out, assess the neighbors, look at satellite imagery of the back yards of the neighbors, check out city-data, look at the registered sex offenders mapping site, etc... Be smart about where you bed down.

These renters moved in after we bought the house. 95% of the neighborhood follows the rules...its these kids that don't care because its not their house. We looked at 20+ houses...this was the best choice in the best area...no creepers and houses are well taken care of.


Exactly. If you start messing with other people's property expect them to return the favor and escalate the situation... especially since they are the low lifers they appear to be.

Which is why I am not going to physically touch their property...but I will do what I can on my property to keep them from parking in front of my house.


Like others have said If I were you, I'd make it as inconvenient for them as possible. Make the calls, report issues/violations. Is the boat registered? Is the trailer registered? Use the snow to your advantage. Do you know someone with a plow? Next time it snows call them to come over and plow mountains of snow in front of your house on the street to block all the parking. Leave where you want them to park open...

The calls have started from multiple people. The boat is easily taken care of, its in the covenants. The problem is their parking so many cars all over the place. My best bet is to get them out by having too many people live in the house.

 

[ndcent]

I haven't read in this thread where you have attempted a dialog with the occupants? Talking to these people is important. Surely they don't appreciate or understand the concerns that are agitating you. Notes left on cars are passive and won't work. Communicate with them, are you concerns shared by neighbors? Get them on board with your cause. If met with resistance, fine, at least you didn't simply assume their intent is negative or malicious.


After that, I'd work more inner than outer. Living in the city I have my fair share of things that piss me off. I've worked more towards becoming a better person in dealing with it, which isn't to say I have had the occasional car chalked and towed but yeah.

 

[GHARP57]

I haven't read in this thread where you have attempted a dialog with the occupants? Talking to these people is important. Surely they don't appreciate or understand the concerns that are agitating you. Notes left on cars are passive and won't work. Communicate with them, are you concerns shared by neighbors? Get them on board with your cause. If met with resistance, fine, at least you didn't simply assume their intent is negative or malicious.


After that, I'd work more inner than outer. Living in the city I have my fair share of things that piss me off. I've worked more towards becoming a better person in dealing with it, which isn't to say I have had the occasional car chalked and towed but yeah.

He did, He was told to "Go F**k yourself"

 

[Bigshankhank]

He did, He was told to "Go F**k yourself"

Actually that was via a note left on the vehicle which I agree is a little too passive aggressive.
Give them a chance with a face-to-face dialogue. Let them know what yours and your neighbors concerns are, and let them know that you are willing to notify the property manager if the problem persists. Yes they will know that it was you, but they will also know that you are not alone and retaliation (if they are smart enough to figure this out) against you would be pointless.
My current home lease, and in fact every one that I have ever signed, includes a limit to the number of vehicles that can be at the house. Eventually you will have to get a lawyer involved if this remains a serious problem, though if you can prove to the property manager that there is a safety concern you might be able to avoid a lawyer (you mentioned something about blocking a bus stop?).
Also, most property managers I have dealt with have strict guidelines to follow before they can kick a person out. Not sure what the laws are in Indiana but it could take months, and the PM may consider it simpler to allow the lease to run its course and either refuse to renew it or increase the rent to a point where the tenant decides to move out voluntarily. What I am saying is, pursuing the property manager to resolve the problem won't fix it overnight. Not saying don't keep at them, just don't think that tomorrow the tenants will change their ways because they got a phone call from their landlord.



tangent: FWIW, I hate renting a house but thanks to the banks destroying our economy a few years ago (anyone remember when they did that? I sure do) my credit is a wreck. /tangent

 

[T5RUNNER]

Sorry but a public street is exactly that and people can park in front of your house regardless of what you want. Yes, I had to deal with it in a past house.

So much this. I have never understood why people think they have a claim to the street in front of their house. If you want more private parking, buy a house with more parking.

 

[Yukon4Runner]

Of course there are many options available to make parking in front of your house an unpleasant experience. But all those options sailed away when you went through litigate means to stop the problem. You are now on the record and if anything adverse were to accidentally happen to their vehicles, you will be at the tippy top of the suspect list...both for retaliation by the occupants and/or the law.

There are many times in our lives when annoyances crop up...decision numero uno has to be: do I deal with this through legitimate channels or more creative ones. Pursuing option 1 then the second one when you become frustrated with the lack of progress will virtually guarantee a visit from someone with a tin star and a peacemaker.

 

[AKmoney]

To OP: Honestly, based on the pictures posted from your street, the parking situation doesn't look bad at all. It's hardly congested. Is it really a large burden for your house guests to walk an extra 50-100 feet from their car to your front door assuming they aren't able to park directly in front of your home?

When I think of neighborhoods with lousy parking, I think of Isla Vista near UCSB where I went to college or any random neighborhood in San Francisco. Think literally no spots anywhere and bums walking up and down the street who will smash the window of your car if they spot so much as a quarter's worth of spare change in the ash tray. You don't have it that bad.

Outside of the boat trailer, my guess is the only thing you can do is try the "abandoned vehicle" route. Check with your local city ordinance to see how many hours/days are necessary before a vehicle is considered abandoned and thus open to citation or towing. One of my friends got hit with this from a grumpy neighbor of his - even if he left his car parked in front of his neighbors house for a single night, the dude would call the cops and report the vehicle abandoned which would result in the cops placing a warning notice on the car. Eventually he just stopped parking there due to the hassle.

 

[Millerad1651]

I did talk to one of the residents earlier this fall. I'm pretty sure the person I talked to doesnt live there anymore though.

The HOA had already sent them a letter a few weeks before I called the rental company. I have them a chance to make a change...and more cars ended up coming.

The biggest problem I had was them parking on both sides of my driveway when there was room on the other side in front of their house. I had people coming over who ended up parking down the street cause there was no room in front of my house. When I asked them politely with the note, I got the previously posted response.

 

[CXS]

This is when you know it's gotten out of hand. :lol:

 

[ndcent]

So much this. I have never understood why people think they have a claim to the street in front of their house.

People in my neighborhood are obsessed with parking in front of their houses, public street sure but they act like they own it and get offended if you park there. Some neighbors put cones or chairs, etc in "their" spot.

Thank god I have a two car detached garage.

 

[Twan]

People in my neighborhood are obsessed with parking in front of their houses, public street sure but they act like they own it and get offended if you park there. Some neighbors put cones or chairs, etc in "their" spot.

Thank god I have a two car detached garage.

East coast(Boston-ish) I assume?

 

[MStudt]

Are you up to date on your Deed of Restrictions? Most HOA's have a clause about occupants, and vehicles. My HOA has to issue tags for residents for this exact reason. Any car that shows up usually gets towed after about 6 hours at the owners expense.

 

[ndcent]

East coast(Boston-ish) I assume?

Historic neighborhood east of Downtown Columbus, quickly gentrifying and wonderful Olde Towne East.

 

[Drunner97]

People in my neighborhood are obsessed with parking in front of their houses, public street sure but they act like they own it and get offended if you park there. Some neighbors put cones or chairs, etc in "their" spot.

Thank god I have a two car detached garage.

It's not so much that I'm obsessed with parking the Tacoma in front of my house, but I like to be able to see it from the door or kitchen window. It also allows space for trash cans on trash day since most people who park in front of the house pull all the way up to the drive way and the space behind the Tacoma is used by my neighbor. Could I park it in the drive way? Sure, but it's easier and more convenient at the curb. Plus if it's at the curb, I'm forced to drive it once a week on street sweeping day.