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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbours have decided that myself and NDN park some of our cars in another street to make it fairer for everyone. AIBU to ignore the request?

484 replies

SumoFarah · 30/11/2025 20:39

I live on a street with unrestricted parking and few driveways. I know it might sound excessive but my family and NDN family have 7 cars between us. I can’t get a drive out in as the street is really narrow so I would need the space opposite to be empty in order to exit.

A neighbour on the street knocked on my and NDN to explain that our six cars take up too much space and means that:

  1. neighbours who finish work late can never get a space so have to park on another street and walk
  2. their weekend visitors can never get a space
  3. on weekends they sometimes have to park in the middle of the road to unload their shopping and then go and find somewhere else to park

We we’re told that ‘they all’ think everyone should agree to use a maximum of 2 spaces to use as they wish and any further space needed should be used in the free car park about 1/2 mile away.

Also that the two teenagers (one mine, one NDN) don’t need cars as they are still in school so should have no need for cars anyway.

I get that parking spaces are at a premium, and can be frustrating when all the spaces are taken, but I don’t want myself or my dc to walk 1/2 mile in the dark (or the light, for that matter) just to placate the neighbours when there’s a space available. All our cars are pretty much used on a daily basis.

NDN told the messenger neighbour that it’s first-come-first-served. I do understand the annoyance but don’t agree with the suggestion because some houses only have one car and some houses don’t have a car, so should balance out in theory, but obviously doesn’t in practice.

Would I be unreasonable to ignore the ‘request’?

Suggestions welcomed.

OP posts:
itbemay1 · 30/11/2025 20:44

7 cars between 2 houses is quite excessive and your NDN are not unreasonably unhappy, I do get their frustration but you are not doing anything wrong as such, however for the sake of neighbourly relations I would consider parking at least some of the cars elsewhere. We have 4 cars - 2 adult children, we have a garage and 1 space in front which houses 2 of the cars. The other 2 park in a different road about a 5 min walk away because our road sounds similar to yours and we really like our neighbours.

Applesinapie · 30/11/2025 20:43

I think you are being quite unreasonable if you take up 7 spaces in the street so there’s no room for anyone else who lives there too

wizzywig · 30/11/2025 20:43

Off topic but how much do you spend on car insurance?

Meerkatmanor4 · 30/11/2025 20:43

You have a drive that you don’t use?

Overtheatlantic · 30/11/2025 20:43

You are being unreasonable.

CombatBarbie · 30/11/2025 20:43

7 cars between 2 houses? Yeah thats a bit of a piss take.

wizzywig · 30/11/2025 20:42

Ask the 'helpful' neighbour if you can take up spaces on the driveways that arent being completely used. I am joking. You must be so annoying to neighbours but ignore them

Pinknotpurple · 30/11/2025 20:42

You are being completely unreasonable

OonaStubbs · 30/11/2025 20:41

Why do you need 7 cars?

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