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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect a neighbour not to block my car in our driveway

67 replies

Lucky13 · 04/10/2010 11:11

On a number of occasions this particular neighbour has parked so we can't get out of our driveway. The worst time previously was when I was expecting DD and he went out/wouldn't answer the door to DH to move the car.

I have left notes on his windscreen on other occasions, but he still parks there.

Today he is there again and I have to pick up DD from preschool shortly and I don't know what to do.

He never answers the door if you go round and the car is left there all night sometimes - aaaaahhhhhh.

Surely it's not too much to ask not to block me in is it? He obviously doesn't care so what can I do?

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 04/10/2010 11:13

Is he completely blocking the driveway or just making it difficult for you to move easily?

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 04/10/2010 11:13

It's illegal to block someone in isn't it??

Original poster
Lucky13 · 04/10/2010 11:20

totally blocked in and he is not answering his door as usual!

OP posts:
diddl · 04/10/2010 11:21

Get the police to shift it!

minibmw2010 · 04/10/2010 11:23

Yes I agree with diddl, ring the police (not the 999 obviously, the station number) and tell them that he does this regularly, deliberately in your opinion and that you are unable to pick up your child from school. I think he'll stop doing that soon enough ...

StealthPolarBear · 04/10/2010 11:23

call poilce non emergency number and ask for advice?

Original poster
Lucky13 · 04/10/2010 11:24

haha - not a chance. We are in the middle of nowhere and by the police got here it would be night time! Would they even be really interested?

I guess I'm going to have to call someone to pick DD up.

I phoned DH and he said he will go round and have words later - if necessary through the letterbox!

What else can we do?

OP posts:
minibmw2010 · 04/10/2010 11:25

Is the house privately owned? If not, council owned? If council owned you cuold complain to the council I suppose.

BuntyPenfold · 04/10/2010 11:27

We have local bobbies who are very good once alerted to a problem.
You can look up who is your neighbourhood one online.
I know that doesn't help for right now.
I think if he won't answer the door right now you are justified in calling the police. I had to do it when blocked in at work so I couldn't go home and the police were very prompt.

BuntyPenfold · 04/10/2010 11:29

Also take photos.

diddl · 04/10/2010 11:31

You need to fetch your daughter & he is preventing you.

It´s important.

LadyBiscuit · 04/10/2010 11:32

My sister has had cars towed from outside her house that were blocked her drive. I expect if you do that, he'd stop sharpish

scurryfunge · 04/10/2010 11:33

Put a note through his door stating you are going to report him for obstruction if he doesn't move the car.

gtamom · 04/10/2010 11:34

I'd call the police anyways,since this is a common occurrence with him. So they will have a word with him. Be worth it, even if you have to be awake at 3 am to talk to them.

gingernutlover · 04/10/2010 11:34

do phone the police and at least see what they say.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 04/10/2010 11:34

I would defintitely alert the police to the ongoing problem and maybe ask their advice.

If not, try parking your car in front of his drive.

smellyfeet · 04/10/2010 11:35

If you have given him the opportunity to move the car and he hasn't/wont then I dont think it's unreasonable to get him ticketed. We can call our concil and get a traffic warden to come along.

We were having problems with a builder who was illegally converting a house into flats and kept blocking our drive. We got him ticketed a few times.

ZacharyQuack · 04/10/2010 11:36

Take photos (with date/time stamp if possible), document every time he does it and complain to the police or the council.

Investigate tow truck prices.

nocake · 04/10/2010 11:39

Definately speak to the police if it's happening regularly. They are unlikely to turn up immediately with a tow truck but they will have a word with him.

Checkmate · 04/10/2010 11:41

We had this problem, and the police informed us to take photos. After a couple of occasions, they came round to give her a ticking off, which has worked and she hasn't done it since.

Original poster
Lucky13 · 04/10/2010 11:47

It's a private house on a country lane in a tiny village and he doesn't have a driveway, but that's still no excuse for blocking ours.

I have a neighbour collecting DD fortunately and I will go and take photos and see if the police are interested.

Maybe if I can get them to speak to him that will be enough.

OP posts:
altinkum · 04/10/2010 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JintyMcGinty · 04/10/2010 11:58

why does he park in front of your drive? Is there alsolutely nowhere else for him to park (unlikely) or is he simply being malicious? If you live in "the middle of nowhere" like you say, it sounds like he is simply causing trouble and you are right to cause the police

welshandproud · 04/10/2010 12:23

Is he elderly? Not sure if that makes a difference, just interested!

I'd take photos really obviously. From various angles. If he's watching you for a reaction it might get him worried.

I'd be tempted to buy a wheel clamp! Grin You could always try not answering when he wants you to remove it!

Original poster
Lucky13 · 04/10/2010 12:38

No he's not elderly - but rather odd and doesn't speak to anyone.

Sometimes the lane is busy, but there are spaces in wider parts of the lane further away which wouldn't block anyone in. He probably doesn't want to walk further than he already does, but then no-one asked him to buy his house without a driveway!

He can't see the car from his house so he wouldn't notice me taking photos.

OP posts: