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Seeing an unknown car parked in front of your house can create a bit of unease for a homeowner.
In fact, Instagram star Luke Donkin recently posted a comedy skit to his Instagram about the thoughts most people go through when there is a random car parked out front.
However, a Sydney resident has taken this literally by posting up his own signs out the front to stop people from parking there.
A Reddit user on the r/Sydney forum posted asking for “any ideas how to deal with unhinged neighbours over free on-street parking?”.
“I park in the laneway at the back of my apartment complex. There's unrestricted parking on this lane – I've checked with the council, and they confirmed that there are no restrictions and any member of the public can park there for as little or as long as they like.
“About three weeks ago, I was getting out of my car and was immediately greeted by an old man who came out from his garage that backs onto the laneway. He complained to me that I park my car there "all the time" and that it's too close to his property, and I'm being unfair to everyone else. Told him I could park there, and he basically just started screaming at me, so I called him a boomer and left.”
“Today I came home and noticed this lovely little sign right where I usually park my car (although not today, as that spot was already taken).”
Plenty of other users spoke in solidarity with the parking car, with some stating that it has also happened to them.
“I had someone like that where I used to live. He even started putting up barriers to block people parking outside his house, so we rang the council, who came and took the barriers and told him they will fine him next time he leaves the barriers,” said one user.
“I have a neighbour who uprooted the no parking sign and moved it five metres away so that it would be in effect in front of his house. Can't really prove it, because he did a good job, but I know damn well he moved it. He would always complain when I used to park there, until one day the no-stopping sign was in effect in front of his house,” said another.
“Buy a derelict boat and park it there 24/7. Seems to be the thing to do Sydney-wide,” offered one user.
However, you may be on the other side of the spectrum when it comes to people parking out the front of your house – if so, is there anything you can do?
What to do if a car parks out the front of your house
Realistically, if a car is parked legally and is registered, there’s nothing you can do to get it to move.
If you believe the car has been dumped, your first check should be the registration. A free online check via the state road authorities to see if it has been reported stolen or has expired registration.
If you believe it has been dumped, you can call a non-emergency police line at 131 444, or you can contact your local council.
Next, you can check your local council laws on street parking. If a vehicle is parked on a nature strip, it could be susceptible to a fine under regulation 197 of the Australian Road Rules, which states “to which a parking control sign applies, and the driver is permitted to stop at that place under the Road Rules, or the driver is permitted to stop under another law of this jurisdiction”.
Some Western Australian councils allow parking on nature strips if you have permission from the landowner or occupant permits you to do so. Others in Tasmania allow you to do so if you are the owner or occupant of the adjacent land.
There are also councils, such as Logan in Queensland, that allow it if the road is less than six metres wide, otherwise vehicles must park with four wheels on the road.
You can also act on the car if it has been parked over your driveway, which we have covered extensively here. However, it will unlikely see any action taken besides a fine.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
