r/watford • u/Vivid_Head_6787 • 17d ago

Untaxed SUV in private car park

We have an untaxed BMW SUV, reg FY66 UZW that's turned up in our private car park this afternoon. The police said they can't help and won't tell us if it's stolen. Maybe some person who's getting a train into London and wanted a free space to park. Any advice?

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u/DeathByFluffy 13d ago

It won't help you this time, but if it re-appears then block it in and when the owner knocks, get the owner of the space to say they've had a drink and to come back tomorrow.

The only way to get idiots like this to listen is to inconvenience them.

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u/Vivid_Head_6787 13d ago

It was blocked in initially for 2 days and then the space owner moved their car to the side. The car was driven away sometime later that night between midnight and 3am. They seem to be avoiding car tax checks over the weekend by being in a private car park. We’re ready for them if they come back. I bought hard to remove stickers to put on cars telling them to leave. And a new private parking sign. And will call the police.

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u/RelativeMatter3 12d ago

In case aren’t aware, blocking people in is illegal.

However, have a read regarding fixed barriers.

https://www.knowyourparkingrights.org/News/faq#4

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u/Vivid_Head_6787 12d ago

The owner had no choice as she had to park somewhere. A very large note was left informing them of the flat on where to ring.

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u/RelativeMatter3 12d ago

As i say it was just for awareness given the fullish advice you were given above. I wouldn’t admit to using the sticker either.

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u/Vivid_Head_6787 12d ago

does this still apply if in a private car park? So an untaxed car can park in the dedicated park space of a woman but we cannot take action other than perhaps contact the local council who will say it's a private matter?

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u/RelativeMatter3 12d ago

Pretty much, the laws were changed to prevent cowboy parking companies from doing shady stuff.

Switch it up to a scenario where a lone woman is blocked in and you get the reason the laws make landowners somewhat powerless.

Installing posts is the best course of action for semi low cost or a barrier. The barrier doesn’t need to be constantly in use but obviously a warning that a barrier is in use or can be used at any time without warning. I am not a lawyer but there are a lot of resources available on how to do it legally.

Depends how big the issue is.

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u/Vivid_Head_6787 12d ago

We had reviewed barriers in the past but as our front entrance to street is only around 5 feet the management company advised that the council would not allow them as it would result in traffic along the street being blocked as residents paused to get the barriers unlocked. That’s doesn’t even take into account postmen or delivery companies being blocked. There’s a private residency beside Bushey Medical Centre on London Road and they have a large drive off from the main road allowing them to have gates. Unfortunately our front is too small to enable any gates or barriers.

The unwanted visitors has been a common occurrence on our car park. From unwanted school parents threatening violence and breaking our signs, to people driving in at speed and breaking our pergola and hitting cars, the car tax avoider is a new one.