This is what the law says you can do when someone parks in front of your house

You are not legally entitled to the parking spot directly outside your house (Photo: Shutterstock)You are not legally entitled to the parking spot directly outside your house (Photo: Shutterstock)
You are not legally entitled to the parking spot directly outside your house (Photo: Shutterstock)

Other cars pinching your perfect parking space is always a particular annoyance, especially when that spot just happens to be in front of your house.

Owning a house that’s in a convenient location has lots of advantages but it does mean you’re susceptible to fighting off other motorists for a parking space.

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It can be a common problem, with people living near hospitals, shops, business parks, stations, football grounds and the seafront being all too familiar with the bugbear.

Parking permits

However, the bad news is, unless you live on a road which has parking permits, or is private, it’s very difficult to stop this from happening.

And even though neighbours may give you a preference over the parking spot right outside your house, there is actually no legal entitlement for them to do so.

According to the Highway Code, these are the only laws of where you can’t park:

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On a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag linesIn marked taxi baysIn a cycle laneOn red linesIn spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders, residents or motorbikes (unless entitled to do so)Near a school entranceAnywhere that would prevent access for Emergency ServicesAt or near a bus/tram stop

It’s a slightly different story if someone is blocking your driveway or their wheel is over the dropped kerb to your house.

Dropped kerb

The Highway Code states that you must not park "where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles", or 'in front of an entrance to a property'.

If a vehicle is found to be doing this, they are committing a driving offence. Even if a car is not fully parked over a dropped kerb, the driver can still be fined. A Fixed Penalty Notice can be issued and this can be as much as £100.

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If someone is repeatedly parking over the dropped kerb in front of your property, you can inform the police or local council.

If the problem persists on a regular basis, your local council may be able to paint white bar markings along the dropped kerb area, although these are not enforceable by police or councils and act as only an advisory area where not to park.