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AIBU?

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Neighbours using our drive as their path

158 replies

Peedoff24 · 02/08/2024 19:19

We live in adjoining terraces, both with driveways. All other houses in our terrace have walls or hedges between them. We don’t but there is a decorative border type thing to delineate them. So it’s very obvious when you step off their property into ours.

They fit 2 cars onto their driveway but this is only possible because we don’t have a wall. They need to open their car door across our drive to be able to get in and out. This I don’t mind.

However, because it’s a squeeze to get between their cars they and their visitors, deliveries etc use our drive as a pathway to get to their front door. It’s got to the point that people literally step out of their door, step over the decorative stone thingy and then walk across our drive to the street.

We have a ring doorbell so get alerted every time somebody does this. It’s now got to the point that our drive is used as their pathway even when they only have one car parked and therefore plenty of space on their drive.

These are neighbours that don’t acknowledge my presence if we see each other since I complained when they had builders dumping rubbish on part of our garden.

WIBU and petty to go and buy some trellis and put it up to stop them from doing this? It would also mean they’d have to rethink their parking!

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Edamcheese · 18/02/2025 19:04

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 02/08/2024 20:54

Why can’t they stop being bad neighbours? Why is it always on the person at the receiving end to keep the peace 🤨

Absolutely the neighbours are encroaching on your property

2chocolateoranges · 31/01/2025 09:50

Personally I would go to the door and ask them and their visitors to stop using your path or you will put a fence up which is going to make parking difficult for them. Their choice!

pollymere · 31/01/2025 09:45

Peedoff24 · 31/01/2025 08:13

@Pumpkinpie1 you’ve gone quite far back to dredge this up!

im not sure where you’ve got the idea that it’s a shared drive?! Or that we step onto there land?! Neither are true in the slightest.

You did give me a laugh at the jump to them clearing snow off of our drive though - mumsnet at its finest 🤣. They don’t and when they jet wash their drive they don’t come onto our drive and clean that funnily enough.

It's because Mumsnet often suggest threads and you don't realise how old they are until after you've posted! Definitely guilty of doing similar.
Although now I'm curious whats happened in the last six months!

Choccyscofffy · 31/01/2025 08:26

Peedoff24 · 31/01/2025 08:13

@Pumpkinpie1 you’ve gone quite far back to dredge this up!

im not sure where you’ve got the idea that it’s a shared drive?! Or that we step onto there land?! Neither are true in the slightest.

You did give me a laugh at the jump to them clearing snow off of our drive though - mumsnet at its finest 🤣. They don’t and when they jet wash their drive they don’t come onto our drive and clean that funnily enough.

The snow bit did make me laugh. Any update on a fence? Are CFs still at it?

Peedoff24 · 31/01/2025 08:13

@Pumpkinpie1 you’ve gone quite far back to dredge this up!

im not sure where you’ve got the idea that it’s a shared drive?! Or that we step onto there land?! Neither are true in the slightest.

You did give me a laugh at the jump to them clearing snow off of our drive though - mumsnet at its finest 🤣. They don’t and when they jet wash their drive they don’t come onto our drive and clean that funnily enough.

OP posts:
Pumpkinpie1 · 29/01/2025 16:07

I think you are being petty.
The drive is too narrow and is effectively shared , you will also be walking on their side when getting out of your vehicles.
As long as they aren’t parking on your drive or causing an obstruction I don’t see the problem .
Look at the positive s I snowy weather they can clear your drive.

Isittimeformynapyet · 07/08/2024 14:29

Helpfullright · 02/08/2024 21:26

Planters are your new best friend!

our old house we’re dragging bins the lot down and I just saw red! The CF knocked on and told me I wasn’t being very neighbourly….pots on my land! Do one!

I don't understand your post

Arconialiving · 07/08/2024 01:10

I'd put up a fence without hesitation, especially as they already blank you!

BarraNayk · 07/08/2024 01:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Bourneyesterday · 06/08/2024 21:32

This wouldn't bother me. They are just stepping on your property. As long as people aren't parking or leaving their property on my property I wouldn't mind them walking on it.

I think it is fine to put up a fence if you want to though.

Angrywife · 06/08/2024 21:29

Invest in some large upright boulders!

Kriscross · 05/08/2024 16:52

Many new builds have open fronts with no real garden and driveway or parking etc adjacent. Lots of people stroll over these areas

Peedoff24 · 05/08/2024 16:14

Planters or parking one of our own cars close to the divide would make access to our own door tight. It would have to be a fence.

OP posts:
Allofaflutter · 05/08/2024 14:06

Slim planter with high trellis attached

Tessasanderson · 05/08/2024 13:21

In the short term why not reverse your car in so its passenger door is right up to the stone divide. That way you are still on your land and pretty much mirroring the neighbour. You would have a huge amount of space to be able to get out of your drivers door. Visitors would then not find it so easy to walk up your side of the divide.

Is there enough room for you to park 3 cars? If so has a family member or friend got a spare car the could lend you for a couple of weeks to park there?

These kind of issues are usually about the other party not realising what a CF they are being until it is demonstrated to them. It sounds like you dont particularly want a wall or fence. Maybe this would let them realise its going to be them that lose out.

savoycabbage · 05/08/2024 12:49

Goodtogossip · 05/08/2024 11:35

Try putting planters down first to see what their reaction is. They may get the hint & stop using your drive. If that doesn't work put a fence up or plant a small hedge that will grow along.

That's going to cost her an absolute fortune. Planters and plants, substantial enough to discourage just stepping over them and then a fence if it doesn't work.

Goodtogossip · 05/08/2024 11:35

Try putting planters down first to see what their reaction is. They may get the hint & stop using your drive. If that doesn't work put a fence up or plant a small hedge that will grow along.

PoopedAndScooped · 05/08/2024 00:54

Get some kinda Fence

OhcantthInkofaname · 05/08/2024 00:43

They would remove trellis - go for the fence or a decorative planter wall.

Trishthedish · 04/08/2024 22:00

Peedoff24 · 02/08/2024 23:12

The one with the red flowers is similar to what we have. Only with a bit of retaining wall between steps coming down from both houses.

Extend the wall would be the simplest way to go.

pollymere · 04/08/2024 21:35

I think a low fence might be the answer.

Sharptonguedwoman · 04/08/2024 21:30

Peedoff24 · 02/08/2024 19:19

We live in adjoining terraces, both with driveways. All other houses in our terrace have walls or hedges between them. We don’t but there is a decorative border type thing to delineate them. So it’s very obvious when you step off their property into ours.

They fit 2 cars onto their driveway but this is only possible because we don’t have a wall. They need to open their car door across our drive to be able to get in and out. This I don’t mind.

However, because it’s a squeeze to get between their cars they and their visitors, deliveries etc use our drive as a pathway to get to their front door. It’s got to the point that people literally step out of their door, step over the decorative stone thingy and then walk across our drive to the street.

We have a ring doorbell so get alerted every time somebody does this. It’s now got to the point that our drive is used as their pathway even when they only have one car parked and therefore plenty of space on their drive.

These are neighbours that don’t acknowledge my presence if we see each other since I complained when they had builders dumping rubbish on part of our garden.

WIBU and petty to go and buy some trellis and put it up to stop them from doing this? It would also mean they’d have to rethink their parking!

Holly bushes. In pots if needs be. If that doesn’t work, build a wall.

toxic44 · 04/08/2024 19:27

Spiky, pretty hedge. Hawthorn or Rosa rugosa.

tommyhoundmum · 04/08/2024 18:42

What about a fast growing hedge of something that flowers and has berries?

LookItsMeAgain · 04/08/2024 17:14

@Peedoff24 - you wrote "Once we put something up that’s going to make it very tricky for them to park two cars"

That's not your concern. Your concern is not allowing a right of way to be established over time via your driveway/front garden space.

If you can afford to do it, do go for the fences down both sides of your property. At least, as you also posted it will look like you were just doing some home improvements rather than putting up a barrier to them taking liberties.

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