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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be fed up of being made to feel like I can't park in front of my own house

33 replies

123betty · 24/07/2013 16:48

My neighbours are usually pretty nice but they are increasingly aggressive, territorial and inconsiderate when it comes to parking. I think I need to rant just to get it out of my system so I can stay friendly with them (I do want to!)

We are semi detached and they have a drive but we don't.

They don't like to park on the drive. They don't even like to park in front of their house. Instead they park three quarters in front of ours. This is because they want to park on the pavement and a postbox is in front of their house.

If we park in front of our house they passively aggressively complain loudly and park fully in front of our property the next chance they get as if to teach us a lesson. They'll even come out specially to move the car forward that bit.

They have also had a go at other people for parking in front of our house and making it hard for them to park in 'their spot'. They have a go at people for blocking their drive too even though they say they don't like using it and never do. They don't like to park in front of it either.

It's not them parking in front of our house that bothers me. I don't own the road!!! It's them being so aggressive at us for parking there! It is frustrating that I have to carry my three children up the road in torrential rain (like yesterday!) because they take up our spot and theirs but it's the being treated like I'm the one in the wrong that upsets me.

Am I being unreasonable to be fed up of them thinking they own the road?

OP posts:
LifeofPo · 24/07/2013 16:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TravelinColour · 24/07/2013 16:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Phineyj · 24/07/2013 16:53

Have you attempting to discuss it with them calmly when no-one's actually trying to park? That'd be my first step before contacting the council to escalate things. It does sound pretty selfish. Our area has marked bays on the road and permits to avoid this sort of issue.

Phineyj · 24/07/2013 16:53

attempted, gah...

soontobeslendergirl · 24/07/2013 16:53

Park in their driveway? Then if approached just say that it is raining and you have 3 kids and there was no space free and that you were sure they wouldn't mind....

smokinaces · 24/07/2013 16:53

Next time you come back, park on their drive. If they question you, say "oh you never use it and instead park outside my house so I thought we had swapped parking spots, want to swap back?"

Original poster
123betty · 24/07/2013 17:19

Parking on their drive is a great idea! Although they time how long people park in front of it (when everyone knows they don't use it) so I can't imagine it would go down well :)

OP posts:
Fairylea · 24/07/2013 17:22

What smokinaces said :)

soontobeslendergirl · 24/07/2013 17:24

thing is, when you park on it be so sweet and reasonable and emphasis that there was just no space anywhere else and that you know how lovely they are and that you were so sure that it would be okay and they will find it difficult to be aggresive or horrible back. :o

cantspel · 24/07/2013 17:26

You cant park on their drive even if they are parked in front of your house. I would just park infront of their house and take no notice of their tutting.

AlpacaPicnic · 24/07/2013 17:27

I would go one step futher and ask about renting their driveway from them... be all pretend jealous that they have access to such a 'luxury' and since they don't use it at all you're sure they would prefer to make a bit of money out of it ;)

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 24/07/2013 17:28

What cantspel said.

And yes, pavement parking is shitty and rude. Would there be room for someone with a wheelchair or pushchair to get past with them parked there? If not, I'd develop a sudden earnest concern about that, which you could always communicate at length. Smile

smokinaces · 24/07/2013 17:29

Actually in all seriousness you can't park on their drive. But even with a dropped kerb you can park over their drive, as long as you are not blocking a car IN as far as I know. So if they don't use it, park in front of it.

Fwiw my neighbour has a drive but four cars. I have blocked her drive once or twice when there has been no parking at all on the street and she knows to knock if she needs to get in/out (and I keep an eye out and move it as soon as there is a space)

scarletforya · 24/07/2013 17:32

Park in their drive.

NandH · 24/07/2013 17:39

What a joke, I can't believe you havnt said anything yet, you really need to either go and speak to them about the parking issues or literally do what other posters have said and park on their drive!

I totally understand how annoying and hard it is o carry young children half way Down the road to your house, I'm in the same position, although 7/10 the space outside my house is clear :)

Please dont dwell on it and take action!!!

Twirlyhot · 24/07/2013 17:40

Do you have any friends who are going away for a fortnight and don't have a garage?

SaucyJack · 24/07/2013 17:48

Do you absolutely have to use your car in daily life? If not, I'd suggest leaving it parked in front of your house for as long as it takes to get their cretinous non brains around the fact that it isn't their spot.

At least six months should do it.

DontmindifIdo · 24/07/2013 17:58

Agree, park in front of your house when you can, if they say anything look all surprised and say "what do you mean your space? it's infront of my house? surely your space is in front of your house or on your drive?" [innocent look]

Or call the council next time they are parking on the pavement.

BridgetBidet · 24/07/2013 18:08

Park over their drive. They don't use it.

Original poster
123betty · 24/07/2013 19:53

I think I'm far too nice and polite and they know it but after three years I've had enough. It's very strange behaviour - like a territorial animal! Maybe I'll ask their landlady if I can rent their drive!

OP posts:
Whothefuckfarted · 24/07/2013 19:56

I was going to say, just park on their drive Grin

missrlr · 24/07/2013 19:57

Or complain to the agent if its rented? Say it's unreasonable behaviour

poorfoxyloxy · 24/07/2013 20:02

ugh. understand your pain. our neighbours on one side have 3 cars, the other 5. We have one car and find it difficult to park in front of our house. annoying to say the least!!

BiscuitDunker · 24/07/2013 20:22

My MILs next door neighbour regulary does this or blocks off part of MILs driveway! MIL,my SIL and several others have had plenty of confrontations with the neighbours for doing it,escpecially as they don't need to as they have 1 car and a motorbike but a driveway big enough for 3cars but seem to insist on parking their 4x4 on the pavement/kerb!

Just start making it clear to them that it is YOUR house and therefore YOUR parking spot,not theirs,and they have a drive and you don't so they need to stop parking infront of your house! Park your car right outside your home next chance you get and loudly say "Oh wow! I can actually park my car infront of MY OWN HOME in MY SPACE for the first time in weeks!! Wish my inconsiderate neighbours would take the hint and STOP thinking its their space when it OBVIOUSLY isn't! Think I'm going to start reporting them to the council and their landlord if they park outside MY HOUSE again!"

Agree with blocking off their driveway at every opportunity until you can reclaim YOUR space though :)

Inertia · 24/07/2013 20:26

You can report them for parking on the pavement.