I’m told I can’t convert my van on my driveway?

Donut

Donut

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Hi all, I’m Nigel, I helped a friend convert a T4 caravet in to a camper last year and I got the bug, now I’ve just stared on a Citroen Relay for myself.
So my problem.
A neighbour 2 doors down has given me so much grief about everything (I think I’m to blame for bad wether too), he’s told me I am not allowed to convert my van in to a Motorhome on my drive way, is this true?
I don’t do anything in unsociable hours and don’t make a mess or take up any area on the road in front of my property or on any pavement or other persons property. So am I allowed?
I’d appreciate some knowledge on this matter.
 
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Donut said:
Hi all, I’m Nigel, I helped a friend convert a T4 caravet in to a camper last year and I got the bug, now I’ve just stared on a Citroen Relay for myself.
So my problem.
A neighbour 2 doors down has given me so much grief about everything (I think I’m to blame for bad wether too), he’s told me I am not allowed to convert my van in to a Motorhome on my drive way, is this true?
I don’t do anything in unsociable hours and don’t make a mess or take up any area on the road in front of my property or on any pavement or other persons property. So am I allowed?
I’d appreciate some knowledge on this matter.
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Tell him to sling his hook
And you are planning a kit car next
 
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movan said:
Don't engage with him no matter how much he goads you .. or you would be playing into his hands.

Go about your conversion normally but without excess noise and at reasonable hours .

........oh .... and join this forum .. for £15 a year you will get excellent conversion advice. :)
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I paid the £15 pounds :)

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movan said:
Don't engage with him no matter how much he goads you .. or you would be playing into his hands.

Go about your conversion normally but without excess noise and at reasonable hours .

........oh .... and join this forum .. for £15 a year you will get excellent conversion advice. :)
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Yeah I spent a few hours converting the van, made me very tired but rewarding
 
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Welcome on here to the fun.....(y)

Tell him that you belong to a large gypsy family and if he doesn’t shut it, you’ll get them to come around and tarmac his driveway ......:wink:
 
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@Donut I like your hard hats. :D2 a few years ago me and my workmate were in Wilkos and saw a load of toy ones. I was that impressed lol, I bought one to keep in the work van. Anyway a few weeks later we were working on a construction site and my mate wore it all day :ROFLMAO: nobody said anything :ROFLMAO: it was obvious it was a toy! :ROFLMAO:
 
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buttons said:
I thought everyone was friendly op north, well this is what I am led to believe by some members.;):)
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Quite obvious you have never been ooop north from where the real men hail

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Crack on, but make a diary if you are not recording. Oh, and show us some pictures of the conversion. Good luck(y)
 
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I think he sounds a prat and is probably thinking of people who repair cars on the driveway which might (or might not ) be a problem with fluids/oils etc. Do you rent or own the house? If you rent just ignore him or do what you like if you own be carefull if it gets to a dispute you will have to decare it and it might affect he sale and value.
 
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The Wino said:
I think he sounds a prat and is probably thinking of people who repair cars on the driveway which might (or might not ) be a problem with fluids/oils etc. Do you rent or own the house? If you rent just ignore him or do what you like if you own be carefull if it gets to a dispute you will have to decare it and it might affect he sale and value.
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Its rented so no problem for him with telling future buyers about the problem neighbours.

@Donut As you did a mate's conversion, does the neighbour think you are running it as a business? There's no excuse for their behaviour but it might give some idea as to why they are 'concerned'.

I'd also keep a journal of each day's activities, not just the neighbours 'activities' but of what you've done on the camper as this will show you just how much you've achieved and be especially useful IF you do another as you can read back about how you did it and any errors/good ideas you had.

Keep the place tidy as much as possible whilst you work and don't leave rubbish lying around, yes it can be a pain having to spend time each day tidying up but it will also mean you have a clear working area for the following day and can find the tools etc that you put down and 'buried' the day before ... you can spend a silly amount of time looking for something that you knew you had used previously the but can't flipping find ... been there, done that ... bl**dy annoying. However, be wary of letting anyone else tidy up for you ... I still haven't found some stuff that hubby tidied up for me! :unsure:
 
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Minxy Girl said:
Its rented so no problem for him with telling future buyers about the problem neighbours.

@Donut As you did a mate's conversion, does the neighbour think you are running it as a business? There's no excuse for their behaviour but it might give some idea as to why they are 'concerned'.

I'd also keep a journal of each day's activities, not just the neighbours 'activities' but of what you've done on the camper as this will show you just how much you've achieved and be especially useful IF you do another as you can read back about how you did it and any errors/good ideas you had.

Keep the place tidy as much as possible whilst you work and don't leave rubbish lying around, yes it can be a pain having to spend time each day tidying up but it will also mean you have a clear working area for the following day and can find the tools etc that you put down and 'buried' the day before ... you can spend a silly amount of time looking for something that you knew you had used previously the but can't flipping find ... been there, done that ... bl**dy annoying. However, be wary of letting anyone else tidy up for you ... I still haven't found some stuff that hubby tidied up for me! :unsure:
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Yeah, I actually like to keep it tidy, I keep any screw/bolds,clips from anything I undo in little plastic wallets with a label on from where they’re from (I’d never remember).
At this point if I kept a diary I think I’d hang myself. I found a small mouse nest in an area under drivers seat area dnd I’ve been stripping EVERYTHING out where they’ve been. Cleaning disinfecting, bleaching it’s been 4 straight days and I’m already wishing I’d never started. With the neighbours, this and other things I’m thinking it’s maybe to much. I’m just plodding I’m with it as I’ve nothing else to do and each day is one move over...little steps
 
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kicked-nuts-record.jpg
 
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Donut said:
Yeah, I actually like to keep it tidy, I keep any screw/bolds,clips from anything I undo in little plastic wallets with a label on from where they’re from (I’d never remember).
At this point if I kept a diary I think I’d hang myself. I found a small mouse nest in an area under drivers seat area dnd I’ve been stripping EVERYTHING out where they’ve been. Cleaning disinfecting, bleaching it’s been 4 straight days and I’m already wishing I’d never started. With the neighbours, this and other things I’m thinking it’s maybe to much. I’m just plodding I’m with it as I’ve nothing else to do and each day is one move over...little steps
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Keep strong sunshine. I'm overwhelmed too at the moment with several problems. It is very difficult.

Try to look at what you HAVE done at the end of each day and NOT what still needs doing. :(

Don't let the neighbours take up any of your energy.

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movan said:
Keep strong sunshine. I'm overwhelmed too at the moment with several problems. It is very difficult.

Try to look at what you HAVE done at the end of each day and NOT what still needs doing. :(

Don't let the neighbours take up any of your energy.
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I have done sweet FA today, tomorrows list just gets longer....;):)
 
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buttons said:
I have done sweet FA today, tomorrows list just gets longer....;):)
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Son .. that isn't very nice. :( You have nothing to do .. and here's your old mother struggling ... I sometimes wonder about the way I brought you up... hmmmph
 
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movan said:
Son .. that isn't very nice. :( You have nothing to do .. and here's your old mother struggling ... I sometimes wonder about the way I brought you up... hmmmph
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I wouldn't say I have nothing to do, it is motivation that I'm lacking. I cut some of the grass yesterday and now at a loss as to what I am going to do for tea tonight. Getting fed up with restaurants and takeaway's. I fancy lamb chops cabbage new potato's carrots might even get a bottle of something then have it all ready for when I pick my lovely lady up later. Can you believe it, two women and I'm still doing the cooking.:) What are you like as a cook;)
 
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buttons said:
I wouldn't say I have nothing to do, it is motivation that I'm lacking. I cut some of the grass yesterday and now at a loss as to what I am going to do for tea tonight. Getting fed up with restaurants and takeaway's. I fancy lamb chops cabbage new potato's carrots might even get a bottle of something then have it all ready for when I pick my lovely lady up later. Can you believe it, two women and I'm still doing the cooking.:) What are you like as a cook;)
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Hey .. I'm only being adopted as your mother so that YOU can look after ME. NEVER MIND WHAT'S MY COOKING LIKE!
 
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buttons said:
I have done sweet FA today, tomorrows list just gets longer....;):)
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You’ve done nothing today Buttons :rolleyes: I have done bugger all for the last 8+ weeks , I am rapidly going totally baaaarrrrrmy :mad::mad: with this dodgy leg.
Thank goodness I go in to have screw removed from plate on Friday then hopefully I can walk again .
Dare not contemplate the size of my list , but bugger it as soon as I can drive we’re off in the van :D

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Donut said:
My agreement with my landlord states in not allowed a caravan or comedian vehicle on my drive, however I told them I had purchased a van without realising and they sent me an email confirming that it’s OK
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IF landlord comes back you should tell them, it will be converted within six months and is about to be registered as a M/H - M/caravan - you don't make much noise or mess and always clear up if it's social housing, they're very lax or accommodating and I've seen tenants take down brand new chain link fence and concrete posts to make a drive at rear of their rented houses and Social Housing say well not to worry, a man's got to live and you can understand him wanting a had standing like other who bought theirs can't you.
Odd times we live in Be polite to everybody especially the neighbour but firm if he comes looking and aggressive. If he rents too have a word with the landlord as social housing tenancy agreements have a clause which states a tenant must not engage in anti-social behaviour and that covers a lot, so remain calm, write the landlords a letter and they will come out and have a word with him.

All the best
 
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Bit more knew I had to ask for an agreement when helping someone out a few years ago

  1. What is not ASB

********** would not normally consider behaviour which results from different lifestyles or may not be considered unreasonable by most people as anti-social behaviour. Examples include:
  • Household noise due to everyday living (e.g. babies crying, banging doors, flushing toilets, vacuum cleaning, etc)
  • One off parties, BBQ’s or celebrations at reasonable times.
  • Cooking odours or other smells
  • DIY in reasonable hours
  • Children playing and young people gathering socially, unless they are acting in a manner that is intimidating
  • Minor car repairs
  • Someone parking lawfully outside your home
  • Civic disputes between neighbours (e.g. boundary issues or shared driveways)

AND
  1. Definition of ASB

The ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines ASB as conduct:


a) That has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person,


b) that is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises, or


c) that is capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

Put it in writing to the landlord, keep copies and keep their correspondence if any. They will not tell you they're seeing him or what was said, zero, nothing, zilch but if he goes quiet you'll know. This all applies to any visitors or guests who visit him, as tenant he's expected to control the actions of his visitors even after they leave his property. DON'T talk about it where you're children may hear it, ever, it has a very damaging effect in later life for them, so shut up in the house, children hear everything and parents speak among themselves as if their children understand they don't. Don't allow your friends to discuss it i front of their children either ask them not to. Children talk too and are frightened by what they don't understand and it will get back to yours and so on.

Throughout my children's growing up, I always told them to be polite to others even if they didn't speak back and above all my favourite "A still tongue and a cool head at all times." So think about your children, watch his children and see if they start ignoring you it will be because he's talking about you and your activities. Watch out if he has an air rifle, children have been know to shoot at a neighbour Dad has been telling his family about - it was a Velux sniping incident. There's a shed-load more I could say if you don't get what I'm saying. Hopefully you are a quiet person in that way at least.

You must have signed one if you moved in in the past 15 or so years but the definitions are simple and extrapolate into even shouting at you, which is done to intimidate and harass- it's how the victim feels about it that's relevant not an objective test. Be nice - always to everybody, no scowling or abuse, keep cool especially with authorities, they like all that stuff that's why they have zero tolerance policies everywhere!

Best of luck

you'll get enough of that, when you get your vehicle finished, from the general public!!
:LOL: :gum:
 
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On the other side of the coin, my brother converted a van on the street more or less outside his house. He didn't give a $h1t about the mess, noise or inconvenience to his neighbours (typical of him) he got up one morning to a flat tyre and asked me to bring my 3 tonne jack round. When we had a look, you could see the perfect imprint of a Phillip's screw driver through the side wall of his tyre, a bit harsh but not surprised due to his attitude.
 
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Also if he called you a filthy gypsy that could be racial abuse.

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