Washing Car On Private Ground

pussyfoot | 12:07 Fri 08th May 2015 | Civil

10 Answers

I have just recently moved to a new freehold property that has a joint driveway leading to a private parking area for myself & three other properties. My own allocated parking space is under a tree & my car can get very mucky because of the birds. I mentioned to my neighbor that I intend to have an outside tap installed in order to wash my vehicle, and was told that I will not be able to wash my car in this area as it is not my own back yard. Whilst I agree it is a joint area surly I am free to wash my car at will, or is my neighbor just being petty. Any response would be appreciated. Thank you.

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Planning Law.

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chanel5

If you wash your car in the private parking area allocated to you, how will this impact on your neighbour? Will there be run-off of soapy water collecting outside your neighbour's door, causing a hazard? Have you mentioned to your neighbour that he/she would also be free to use the tap you intend to have installed? I can see how your neighbour might be able to find a jobsworth who could prevent you installing a tap, but I don't see how he/she could prevent you washing your car, provided you are not flooding his kitchen or poisoning his water supply with car shampoo. I think I would try washing the car a few times with a bucket (ie before installing a tap) to see what the neighbour's reaction is. Sounds as if your neighbour is just be petty (possibly snobbish too) but I think you need to ask him/her to explain exactly what the objection would be and how it is relevant to his or her life.

Baldric

What does it say in your Deeds, are there any Covenants that might stop you doing so, that should have been pointed out to you by your Solicitor?

pussyfoot

Question Author

There is nothing in the deeds about washing a Vehicle only that I can't block/restrict access of the joint driveway & I don't see how a hose pipe can do that.

hc4361

Wash your car but make sure you don't splash the cars of your neighbours, you won't believe how petty some people can be.
Don't let your neighbours use your tap if you are on a water meter.
Make a point of keeping your parking space clean - scrub it with a hard broom and diluted Jeyes fluid every now and again. This will stop green algae growing on it.
Try to keep things civil with the neighbours, the last thing you need is an all out war with people who can make your life a misery, but don't be bullied

pussyfoot

Question Author

Thank you hc the lastt hing I want is a war with neighbors but I really need to clean my car as the bird droppings are ruining the paint work where the sun bakes it on and I can't afford to keep going to the car wash!

hc4361

If it's that bad with the droppings would a car cover help?

chanel5

And be don't use Jeyes Fluid if you or any of your neighbours have cats. It is extremely toxic to felines.

hc4361

My cats have never been harmed by my profuse use of DILUTED Jeyes fluid.

chanel5

I used to use it, JC, until about ten years ago, three of my cats developed similar neurological symptoms within the same six-month period. The vet at the time warned me that the chemicals in Jeyes Fluid have the potential to cause neurological symptoms in cats, and although cats will not eat or lick Jeyes Fluid because of the rotten smell, they may ingest it by walking over it and then licking their paws. He also said that if they lie on a patch of Jeyes Fluid, they may absorb it through their skin. The cats recovered from their symptoms, and I never used Jeyes Fluid again. I have read up on this on the internet, and the evidence seems to be mixed in relation to a possible toxic effect of the substance. But my view is, if it is suspect, don't use it.