I got a truck towed for parking in my space even though I wasn’t using it – but I think I have a good reason
A FURIOUS resident has taken parking matters into their own hands after trucks kept taking up their parking space.
A Reddit user going by the name MeganM91204 in an attempt to clear their conscience after they had an offending vehicle towed away.
The angered resident lives in the heart of the city, so parking spaces are like gold dust.
She doesn't use the premium spot that was included as part of her house deal though.
Instead, the one parking space is reserved for her wife, who's out most of the day and not occupying the spot either.
But things went sour when regular trucks were pulling up into the space to use it as a drop off point for the various businesses found along the street.
Up to 10 trucks a day would supposedly take a few hours refuge from the road in the private space, but every time they'd fail to ask permission or be ready to move on when asked.
That's what caused the frustrated resident to take action.
Most read in Motors
"This does irritate me," she said in the discussion forum.
"I think it's extremely rude, it's not like when someone accidentally parks somewhere, since they are pulling right onto my property without my permission like it is theirs."
The couple are from America but it's not a dissimilar situation to UK residents who've held major parking disputes of their own in recent weeks.
One resident banned their own neighbours from using their driveway, after an act of good will got out of hand.
They didn't even use the parking space in question either, but the blanket ban on anyone using the space was only put in force because they felt pushed into reacting that way.
To make matters worse for the resident across the pond though, damage started to occur to the property as a result of the intrusive drivers.
She said: " About a month ago I notice a crack forming on the parking pad which I can only assume is due these large trucks constantly using it and the workers loading and unloading their tools.
"So I decided to call a tow company and have them hang a sign so that if needed I could have them come and tow them out."
It wasn't long before the towed party showed their face but that's when things got ugly.
The resident explained: "The owner of the vehicle showed up half way through the tow, yelling to have it put down.
"It was obviously awkward, but he asked why I didn't come and knock on a few doors to look for him, I replied that it's not my responsibility to waste my time looking for the person who is illegally parked on my property, I have better things to do."
The majority of the response on the thread agreed they weren't in the wrong a towing the vehicle away was the right next step.
But there are rules and procedures you'll need to keep in mind if you are tempted to take a similar matter into your own hands.
Sometimes taking action can be costly, and you might not have as many rights over what can enter the space out front of your house, as you thought you had.
What are your rights if someone parks on your driveway?
In the UK, there is no criminal law against someone parking on your driveway.
It doesn't matter if they ask you or not either, so you technically wouldn't face a fine or penalty if you tried to stop them for continuing to do so.
According to the RAC, a loophole in the law means that blocking someone's driveway could easily go unpunished too.
It is considered trespass, though, if the car is parked on your driveway - so you could be within your right to take action just for that fact.
But the council won't be able to do anything unless it's an obstruction on the road.
They can also intervene if the vehicle has been abandoned without tax, an MOT or insurance but that's the only instance.
Drivers are advised not to take matters into their own hands though.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Sometimes neighbourly disputes have gone without a hitch, but you could find yourself committing a criminal offence were you to hire a tow truck or clamp the vehicle in an attempt to get rid of the offensive car.
You shouldn't try pushing it back onto the road either as you could cause damages that you'd have to pay out for as well.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Money team?
Email us at [email protected]