Problems with parking

Someone has left a car on my land. What should I do?

If someone has parked on your land without your authority, laws exist to protect both your rights as the landowner and the rights of the owner of the vehicle. Before you take action to immobilise or remove the vehicle yourself, please read the advice below to prevent you inadvertently committing an offence.

If the vehicle appears to have been stolen

If the vehicle shows signs of having been stolen, such as smashed windows or damaged locks, please report it to us online or call us on 101. We’ll make enquiries and may arrange for the vehicle to be removed and returned to its owner.

If the vehicle appears to have been abandoned by its owner

We would recommend calling us on 101 first of all, to make sure the vehicle has not been reported as stolen. If it has not been reported as stolen we can provide advice, but it is unlikely we will directly intervene.

It’s important to remember that it is an offence to immobilise, move or restrict the movement of a motor vehicle in a way that would prevent the owner, or person responsible for the vehicle, from removing it. One exception to this is if you have the lawful authority or duty to do so. For instance, if you’re working on behalf of the police or local authorities, or as a traffic warden, parking attendant or civil enforcement officer.

Moving the vehicle

You are within your rights to move an obstructively parked vehicle a short distance to regain access to your property, as long as this does not damage the vehicle or prevent the driver from subsequently retrieving it.

Removing the vehicle

If you decide to remove the vehicle yourself, or make arrangements for this to be done, you should give the owner a reasonable amount of time to remove it. 14 days is generally considered reasonable.

First, we recommend putting a notice on the vehicle itself, stating that if it is not removed within 14 days you will have it moved/removed. The notice should also state where you intend to move the vehicle to and the reason it will be removed. For example, if it is obstructing the lawful use of private land.

Second, if there are number plates on the vehicle you can submit a Form V888 to the DVLA to find out the registered keeper’s details. Send a letter by recorded delivery to the registered keeper, giving the same information as your notice on the vehicle. Remember to keep the proof of postage and a copy of the letter.

If you follow the steps above, you will have shown that there was no intention of preventing or inhibiting the driver of the vehicle from retrieving their vehicle. If they do not respond within your 14 day period it would not be considered an offence to remove the vehicle.

A vehicle is blocking my driveway. What should I do?

If someone has parked in front of your driveway we recommend speaking to your neighbours first. They may know who the vehicle belongs to and help resolve the situation quickly and amicably.

Enforcement powers for parking offences, including parking on a dropped kerb in front of a driveway, are usually the responsibility of your local council’s parking enforcement team. They should be able to attend to the matter if you have no luck with your neighbours.

In some Boroughs this responsibility falls to the Met. In this case the parking enforcement team will let you know how to contact us directly.

Can I park on the pavement?

In London there is essentially a blanket ban on parking on the pavement. In the rare cases where it is permitted, parking bays will be marked on the pavement and the area will be clearly signposted.

Information courtesy of Ask The Police