Parking issues | Berneslai Homes

Article: Parking issues

What are parking issues?

These arise where residents, whether Council tenants or private householders, do not  park responsibly and cause nuisance and annoyance in the neighbourhood.

What do we ask you to do?

We ask all residents, whether Council tenants or private householders, to park responsibly so that they do not cause nuisance and annoyance in the neighbourhood.

If people park inconsiderately, not only can this be illegal, but it could also cause neighbourhood disputes.

When we carry out large improvement schemes we try to provide off road parking for tenants, but we cannot guarantee that every house will have this.

What can I do if I want to park my vehicle within my garden?

You can ask for permission to park a car in your garden. But we insist that you lower the kerb and that you build a satisfactory drive or hard standing. In some cases you may need planning permission.

Who is eligible to park within their garden?

• Council tenants who have problems with inconsiderate parking. 
• Residents who have problems with a council tenant causing inconsiderate parking.

What shall I do if someone is parking inconsiderately?

It is always best to try to talk to them and ask them to move it. (Individuals do not have a legal right to park outside their own property.)
If you have tried or feel you cannot do this please contact us. You can either:

• call in to your local Barnsley Connects Office;
• write to us at Berneslai Homes, PO Box 627, Barnsley, S70 9FZ; 
• email your local Housing Management Team.  

Who can I report it to?

You can report it at your local Barnsley Connects Office who are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Tel: 01226 775555.

How quickly will we contact you?

We will try to make an initial visit to assess the situation within 5 working days. If you want permission to build a drive we will visit and give you a decision within 5 working days.

What will we do when we receive your report?

We will talk through the situation, and will help and advise you.

We will ask you to give us full details of your complaint, and you may give us supporting evidence such as photographs/diary sheets.
In some circumstances, we may take action against those who cause nuisance to their neighbours. We will also work with the police and the Council's Highway Division.

We will contact the person who is causing the problem and ask them to move the vehicle. If we need to and we can we will take legal action to stop them from parking their vehicle in a certain place. But we cannot simply ask people to move their car if they are parked on a road and are not blocking anyone in or causing a traffic hazard.

What if I want to create off road parking?

If you want to create off road parking in your garden you must have our permission first. Please contact your local Housing Management Officer.  

They will visit you and give you an information pack telling you what to do next.

What if I see an abandoned car?

If you see a car that looks like it has been abandoned please contact the Council's Environment Regulatory Unit on 01226 772540.

Visit Neighbourhood Disputes and Anti Social Behaviour Team for further information.

Where can I get additional help/advise?

• Highways & Engineering- For general enquiries or further information please contact Tel: (01226) 772022.  
• Environmental Regulatory Unit - Abandoned Cars Tel: (01226) 772540.
• South Yorkshire Police Helpline - Tel: 101.

What can you do to help us?

• Be considerate to others when parking your own vehicle.
• If you are reporting an incident, give us details of names and addresses, times and dates, of the inconsiderate parking.
• Be prepared to attend County Court if necessary.
• Ask your neighbours to provide supporting evidence of incidents of inconsiderate parking.

You can also apply for permission to provide off street parking within your garden by visiting Permission for Alterations.

Useful leaflets 

You can download the following leaflets:

• Your tenancy
• Introductory tenancies
• We have given you a Notice of Possession Proceedings - what happens next? (for Introductory tenants)
• We have given you a Notice of Seeking Possession - what happens next? (for Secure tenants) 

You can also get a copy of any of the above leaflets from your local Barnsley Connects Office.

Useful Links

• Abandoned vehicles
• Community Safety Partnership
• Highways and Engineering
• Breach of Tenancy

Which laws affect this?

• Housing Act 1985
• Housing Act 1996
• Housing Act 2004