I live in a small cul-de-sac where one of my neighbours is selling used cars.
He buys the cars at auctions and sells them on our street to private buyers. He can have up to seven cars parked in front of his house and on the pavements. We have even had car transporters delivering them.
When he gets a potential buyer he moves all the other cars, pretending there is only one. He even arranges friends to come at the same time to pretend to be interested in the car.
I have asked him politely to stop, but only received abuse. The council and the police are not interested, and each simply claims the other is responsible. Can I get this stopped?
Wheely annoying: A This is Money reader’s neighbour sells used cars from outside his house
Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: When you purchased your property, I doubt you imagined you’d end up living next door to someone flogging old cars from the pavements outside. It sounds like a real nuisance.
As ever in these situations, it is a good idea to keep a record of what is happening and when. If possible, take photos and video footage as evidence showing the extent of the problem and the number of cars or transporter vehicles involved.
Talk to your other neighbours to check whether the issue is affecting them too. If there’s a few of you affected, it will strengthen your case when talking to the local council or even your MP.
I understand your council and local police force are passing the buck. Do be persistent as it appears your neighbour is running a commercial business from his premises.
For a small fee, you can use the Land Registry’s website to check your neighbour’s title deeds, which may indicate whether or not he cannot run a commercial business like this from his home.
I spoke to two legal experts for their take on your case.
In the know: Kathryn Cooling suggests checking the neighbour’s title deeds
Kathryn Cooling, an associate in RWK Goodman’s property disputes team in Bristol, says: In the question you state that neither the police nor the council are willing to take any action.
It isn’t surprising the police are unable to take any action as there isn’t necessarily anything illegal about selling a car, but the council would seem to be the logical call.
With numerous teams within a council covering a wide range of areas, reporting it with documentation to the right team is key.
If the road and pavements are being blocked by parked cars and transporter vehicles, this could potentially be a matter for the roads and highways team rather than the team overseeing anti-social behaviour.
Alternatively, you could be in an estate which is owned privately – therefore roads and pavements may be managed by an estate manager.
This is more common with newer estates, and if you pay an estate service charge, that is a good indicator you may be in one of these areas where the council isn’t responsible.
A solicitor would be able to check this for you. If so, you could attempt to direct your concerns to the estate manager instead.
Your neighbour’s business could also be investigated by Trading Standards, which has the power to look into unfair trading or illegal activity and potentially take them to court or stop them from running their business.
To file a report with Trading Standards, you should go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau, who will be able to support you on the best route.
A civil claim route would be your final option.
You may have a case against your neighbour if the parked cars or lorries are obstructing your right of way.
A lawyer could also examine the title deeds to determine whether anything prohibits your neighbour from operating a business from their property.
Evidence is vital. Keep a log of how many cars are parked there at once and how frequently a transporter delivers to your neighbour. If you think it’s safe, you might want to take pictures.
If you believe you have a civil claim, you should obtain independent legal advice.
Whatever you do, remember, he will still be your neighbour at the end of day.
If what is happening isn’t really affecting you or your property, do you want to potentially be involved in a dispute which will make the relationship with your neighbour worse?
Reema Chugh, a partner at Hodge, Jones & Allen, says: It’s one thing to sell the odd car privately, but when someone is effectively running a car dealership from a residential street, it can quickly become a nuisance and, in many cases, unlawful.
From what you’ve described, this isn’t a case of a one-off sale.
Parking multiple vehicles on the road and pavement, receiving deliveries by transporter, and staging fake viewings suggests a business is being operated from a residential property, potentially in breach of planning control, highway rules, and even private covenants.
Reema Chugh, a partner at Hodge, Jones & Allen, recommends keeping records and being persistent
Start by documenting the activity. Keep a log of dates, times, and vehicle registrations, and take photographs if possible.
The council may claim it’s a police matter, and the police may say it’s one for the council, but don’t let them pass the buck.
Ask to speak with your local authority’s planning enforcement team and highways department, making it clear this appears to be a commercial business operating in a residential cul-de-sac.
Under planning law, running a business from home may require planning permission, especially if it causes disruption or significantly alters the character of the neighbourhood.
Parking multiple vehicles on pavements may also breach the Highways Act 1980, which prohibits obstruction of the public highway.
If your council is slow to respond, consider raising the issue with your local councillor, who may be able to escalate the complaint internally.
You can also search the Land Registry for your neighbour’s title deeds. Many residential areas, especially cul-de-sacs and private estates, are subject to restrictive covenants forbidding business use or activities that cause nuisance.
If such a clause exists, and you, or a management company or developer, have the benefit of it, you may be able to enforce it through civil action.
If council enforcement and informal pressure don’t resolve the problem, you may be able to apply for an injunction or bring a private nuisance claim, especially if the activity materially interferes with your enjoyment of your home.
A solicitor can advise you on the strength of your case, and it may be possible for other affected neighbours to join together to strengthen the complaint and share legal costs.
You shouldn’t have to tolerate a car lot on your doorstep. With the right paper trail and persistence, there are routes to stop it.
