A parking AIBU (sorry)

[getyourgeekon]

I can't decide whether to approach our neighbours so thought I'd ask here.

We live on a street of semis. Some of the house pairs have garages (ours included), some do not. A while ago a neighbour started parking in front of our/attached neighbour's garage when they couldn't park outside their home (no garage). When we had a baby I asked them if they could stop parking in front of ours so i didn't have to lug baby in seat too far. They didn't agree as such, just moaned about lack of parking but they did stop for a while. Now they park in front of the garages most days, and another neighbour has also started following suit. Our attached neighbour (elderly, doesn't drive) was upset yesterday as a friend with mobility issues couldn't come to visit him as neighbours had parked cars in front of both garages. No one has ever asked him (or us) if we mind them parking there.

Now, I know they are parking legally (not blocking us in). It also feels a bit entitled to say we should be able to retain the space in front of our garage for our exclusive use.

On the flip side I feel just because you can do something doesn't mean you should, and they could at least have asked first. I personally wouldn't park in front of anyone's garage.

So, do I say something to the neighbours concerned (ie, please stop parking there) or just suck it up?

[RobotHamster]

Surely if they're parking in front of garages then they're blocking access and parking over a dropped kerb? In which case they're not parked legally. Or have I misunderstood?

[formerbabe]

If they are parking legally, then its tough luck...none of your business.

[Stripysecrets]

Can you post a pic of area? Hard I visualise!

[cashewnutty]

I assume if they park in front of your garage you can't access it? This is not acceptable.

[Purplepoodle]

So you use your garage? Are you able to drive into your garage when they are parked there.

[evelynj]

Are they blocking your drive/access to garage? If so, tell them to stop. If not, I don't understand.

[glenthebattleostrich]

I'd say something to them. They are making their parking issues your problem which isn't fair.

We live I a tiny cul de sac which is a nightmare for parking but my neighbours aren't arses so we don't park over each others drives!

[Fluffcake]

I'm confused? Are they blocking access? If they are, then they shouldn't park there and stick up a sign saying garage in constant use. If they are not blocking access and parking legally, tough luck.

[londonrach]

Is the kerb dropped or not? If none dropped yabu if dropped yanbu

[getyourgeekon]

Sorry, to clarify -

Garages are used for storage (hence me saying I do feel entitled to 'save' the space).

Yes they do have dropped curbs but legally it's only not ok to park on dropped curbs if you're blocking someone in (garage or driveway).

[getyourgeekon]

So they are parking legally but are not being neighbourly, IMO.
I know they can just continue, but is it worth me asking them not to anyway?

[RobotHamster]

I think it's fine to ask them not to park in front of your garage. It's not like theyre just parked on the street in front of your house.

[Littlecaf]

We have a similar issue here. Its unneighbourly. YANB to ask them to politely move.

[Fluffcake]

If they are blocking access, then they shouldn't be parking there. Doesn't matter what you are using your garage for. If people bothered to clear out their garages, cars could be parked in them, reducing parking issues. We have 3 cars and a motorbike. Garage is used for one car (dh's hobby car). Drive way has been dug out for 2 cars and bike so we never have parking issues unlike some of our neighbours. It makes life a lot less stressful.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I wouldn't ask them to stop parking there as I don't think they are doing anything wrong (legally).

However, I would start frequently actively using your garage, earlky in the morning, mealtimes, evenings etc and politely ask them to move their car every time.

[RufusTheReindeer]

I'm confused

If they park across your dropped kerb they are causing an obstruction and can be moved by the police

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick

I might well do...sticks confuse me

[getyourgeekon]

Thanks all for your thoughts. I like the idea of using it a lot more and just badgering them to move lots. Didn't really think of needing access as covering anything except getting a car in/out.

[RufusTheReindeer]

We once put a dropped kerb in just to stop our neighbours from parking in front of our house

Very petty...but very effective

[getyourgeekon]

Haha Rufus AFAIK it's perfectly legal to park on a dropped curb in front of a driveway/garage unless you are blocking someone in.

[RufusTheReindeer]

get

Fuck sake...don't tell my neighbours that!!!

[RobotHamster]

I don't think it is.. Isn't there something in the highway code about not blocking access? Cars can only be towed if they're preventing someone from leaving (afaik) but I don't think they're allowed to park in front of your garage

[getyourgeekon]

I think that's true if you have a single white line, Robot - we could ask to have one painted but then we couldn't ever park their either...

[honeysucklejasmine]

Do you not own the land in front of your garage? I do! Check the deeds.

I think they are very cheeky, legal or not.

[getyourgeekon]

honeysuckle - interesting! I'll check the deeds.

Glad some/most think they're being cheeky. Given they seem to think it's ok now I'm not sure I'll be able to change anything by speaking with them but I'll give it a go.

[honeysucklejasmine]

Dare I suggest penguin bollards? I can't imagine you don't own the "driveway" too.