My landlord blocked the driveway and garage and told us to park away from the house – lawyer says we are defenseless

A DRIVER found himself in a frustrating situation after his owner unexpectedly blocked his driveway and garage.

Despite the resident’s frustration, lawyers said the driver could not react to the new parking rules.

A tenant’s conversation with a lawyer was published in Just answera website that connects customers to business professionals.

The renter’s public ordeal highlights the crucial need for drivers to secure parking privileges in rental contracts.

“My landlord blocked my driveway and asked us to use a different, more distant entrance,” the renter complained.

“I own an entertainment business and my employees come down the regular sidewalk and into my garage to get equipment. They don’t have access right now.”

The renter said he had lived in the house for 19 months before the problem began.

They also complained that the owner removed the sidewalk and replaced the paving with gravel.

The only parking option for the renter was a lot further away from the residence.

“The entrance he put in is just dirt,” the renter complained.

“If it rains, we’ll be stuck.”

As the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that the tenant’s lease lacks explicit provisions regarding the use of the driveway.

Without the clause, the lawyer said the driver was left in a legally precarious situation.

“Unfortunately, not all leases include the use of a garage,” the lawyer said.

“Generally, you would only be entitled to use the driveway if that was the only access to the home.”

Including a driveway rights clause in a renter’s contract with their landlord can be crucial for drivers.

Clauses can ensure clarity and transparency regarding tenant rights.

It also protects the tenant’s access to essential home resources.

Even so, the lawyer suggests that the renter take several photos of the house and the land where he parks.

The attorney suggests that the renter can take the photos and lease agreement to a local attorney for review.

Why is it illegal to block a driveway?

Blocking a driveway is illegal in the United States due to limiting access to emergency care.

In addition to being reckless, blocking a driveway is a serious safety hazard, cops say.

Blocking someone’s entryway is illegal in all 50 states, with fines and penalties varying by state.

For example, blocking a driveway in San Francisco, California can net a driver a hefty $286 towing fee and a $110 fine.

This does not include food to recover the vehicle from an impound lot, which costs on average more than $600.

In an emergency, a blocked entrance can mean the difference between life and death for a patient.

“In the United States, it is illegal to block a driveway, even your own,” says Parklio’s website.

“It’s a matter of public safety: emergency services like fire trucks, ambulances or police cars need this space to enter and exit.

“An obstructed driveway can also prevent vehicles from getting out onto the road to seek emergency services.”

Source: San Francisco Police Department, Parquelio

ENTRY BLOCKED

Several other drivers complained of blockages near their homes.

However, renters in densely populated cities may have greater difficulty defining legal clarity around road usage.

For example, renters in New York City complained after cars parked two or three times.

Their homes were on a cul-de-sac near a popular park that hosts youth football and baseball games.

During games, heavy traffic flooded the street with parked vehicles.

But by the time the police arrived, the games would already be over.

“By the time [the police] comes, sometimes people leave because it takes too long to get here,” said one of the residents, Angela Grayson, DNA Information in 2014.

“It’s a small block and it’s a dead end… There’s no other way out.”