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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Blocked in

41 replies

elmofan · 11/11/2010 11:09

We have a new neighbour next door , she only moved in on Sunday (rented house) . So far this week i have taken in three deliveries for her & her friends have blocked my driveway with their cars twice . Should i have a little word do you think or let it go ?
There is a car parked right across my driveway ATM & im on standby to collect dd early as she was not feeling too good going into school this morning , but if school phones i cannot get out , her school is 8 miles away so too far to walk .

OP posts:
hmc · 11/11/2010 11:10

Definitely have a word! I can't abide arrogance like this!!

Tortington · 11/11/2010 11:11

in your shoes i would sandwich the complaint, perhaps take round a welcome present and then ask if she wouldn't mind not parking across the drive

Chil1234 · 11/11/2010 11:11

Oh have a word... A pleasant 'welcome to the neighbourhood' card, gift and a 'would you mind asking friends not to block the driveway?' should do the trick. Better that than letting resentment seethe like these people that kill each other over a hedge being 6" too tall....

hillyhilly · 11/11/2010 11:13

Just mention it next time you drop one of her parcels in, taking deliveries is no problem that I can see but if you mention that you need to come and go at all hours so need your drive clear, she should have no problem with that

Heracles · 11/11/2010 11:14

Mention it but not aggressively. Put the ball in her court, so to speak.

Original poster
elmofan · 11/11/2010 11:21

Thanks , just dont want to start off on bad footing iykwim .
The car has been there since 9.30am so not just a quick drop in&out . I have already welcomed her & her 4 dc's while i dropped in with her parcels so might come across a bit strange if i pop in now & say "welcome again oh & by the way could you get who ever owns that car to move it A.S.A.P " Grin

OP posts:
ronshar · 11/11/2010 11:24

Perhaps a very very polite note on the windscreen explaining that you are on call and need to have speedy exit from your own drive way.
No need to cause an argument but I would def deal with it now rather than leave it longer.

nickelbangBANGbang · 11/11/2010 11:24

that's true, but you could say "I saw that car blocking my driveway earlier and thought ti would be there for a short while. It's still there, is it one of yours/your friends? if so, can you move it, please, as it's blocking my driveway and I might need to take my car out at any minute"

Chil1234 · 11/11/2010 11:26

Then drop the 'welcome' part and ask her straight. You're the incumbent - she's the newcomer. Usually bad things are done out of stupidity rather than malice. Be polite but assertive...

greentig3r · 11/11/2010 11:28

I would find an excuse to take the car out, even just for ten minutes, so you have to ask them to move the car. I doubt they'd persist in parking there if you keep having to ask them to move.

Original poster
elmofan · 11/11/2010 11:34

OK ill give them until 12.45 to move it (unless the school phones in the meantime) & then if its still there ill knock in & ask them to avoid parking across my driveway as i come & go a lot during the day & dont want to have to knock in every time . The parking situation on my road can be really bad but still i would never park across any one's drive .

OP posts:
exexpat · 11/11/2010 11:35

Knock on the door, ask her politely to get them to move. If there is any resistance, explain that they are actually parked illegally and you will be forced to call the police if the car is not moved.

I called the police (non-emergency 0845 number) this morning as a car had been parked across my off-street parking space since yesterday lunchtime. Luckily my car wasn't parked in it, but it is illegal to park across a dropped kerb and block an off-street parking space. It's also a huge nuisance as parking is a nightmare round here with too many student houses, so if I can't park in my own space I often end up streets away.

Within half an hour the girl whose car it was had come and moved it - they had tracked her down through the car's registration (think it was registered to her parents' company, she's a student). In the past they have ticketed or towed cars doing the same thing round here.

Original poster
elmofan · 11/11/2010 12:06

That's awful expat . Parking is a right pain here too . Well car is still there so looks like im going to have to knock in & ask them to move , just hoping they keep driveway clear for my return .

OP posts:
zingzillachinchilla · 11/11/2010 12:33

Hmmm, OP has been away for almost half an hour, wonder how she got on?

Original poster
elmofan · 11/11/2010 12:36

I'm still here Grin .
The owner of car is outside my house now talking to new neighbour so hopefully leaving . Thankfully the school did not phone so didn't have to dash off early to get dd .

OP posts:
DinahRod · 11/11/2010 12:41

As someone who could not get baby ds into the car in the pouring rain thanks to twat 4x4 driver who'd parked like a drunk at the doctors this morning can I come round and help?

(have a lot of passive aggression to work off & wet jeans to dry)

DinahRod · 11/11/2010 12:41

'ave a word, go on.

Original poster
elmofan · 11/11/2010 12:43

You would be most welcome Dinah Grin
ill just hide put the kettle on while you have a word Grin

OP posts:
ChaoticAngel · 11/11/2010 12:45

I think you need to have a word with your neighbour though. It's not on for their visitors to keep blocking you in and you shouldn't have to knock on their door every time someone does this and you need to go out. Be polite but assertive, as a pp said, but make it clear it's unacceptable. If your neighbour is reasonable then they'll probably be mortified that their visitor's thoughtlessness is causing you problems and make sure it doesn't happen again.

Indith · 11/11/2010 12:47

Just have a word! Why would you not? If they do it lots and you never complain then how are they supposed to know that it is a pain for you? They are not mind readers. No, they shouldn't park over a drive but hey, maybe they just don't have much common sense so point it out nicely and then job done.

onadietcokebreak · 11/11/2010 12:49

OP If you dont have a word now this will be a problem.

Pop over and mention it.

Alomg the lines of. You probably arent aware but your visitor early blocked my drive way. Could you ask them not to in future please.

KaraStarbuckThrace · 11/11/2010 12:51

Yes do it politely now, before it really winds you up.

exexpat · 11/11/2010 12:52

I definitely agree you need to have a word even after the current car has gone - the longer you leave it before you say anything, the more she will think it is not a problem.

Original poster
elmofan · 11/11/2010 12:54

Yes i will mention it to neighbour in a nice way the next time i see her . She has gone out now . No point in waiting for it to happen again .

OP posts: