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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

My neighbours are doing my head in.

63 replies

BeanCalledPickle · 30/03/2015 09:05

Context. Terraced house. Neighbours are guy in his nineties and his two grown up children. Older guy obviously has a lot of care needs as there is a constant stream of medical visitors etc. We frequently see him 'escaping' and being chased down the road by his children. They always seem pissed off and I doubt it's a particularly fun existence. Had the fire brigade there at the weekend which is concerning in itself but ultimately not my business.

We are a family of three, soon to be four. I'm eight months pregnant. I have a nearly two year old.

My annoyance is with the fact that they always park over their drive which has the effect of blocking us in, or indeed out. They are careful to never park actually the strict entrance but we can only get on and off the drive at an angle so if they are at the edge we can't move. To be fair if I knock and ask them they move the car. But I'm really nervous that in an emergency, like going into labour in the middle of the night, we wouldn't be able to get out. Also When I come back in the car there is no where to stop on a busy road to go and ask them to move.

What can I do? I don't want to make their life more difficult. They obviously have their hands full. And are polite about moving when I ask, I just don't want to have to ask!!

They also have an extremely squeaky door upstairs which wakes me up. I normally get round this with earplugs but I'm about to have a new born. It feels so unreasonable to ask them to oil their door and I can't emphasise enough how much I don't want to contribute to their general life difficulties but it's SO LOUD!

What do you reckon??

OP posts:

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 30/03/2015 12:06

Yeah you are right. If no one parked outside our house then it would be, as it would be if no one parked over the road. Sigh. Guess I will just have to keep asking...

OP posts:

wanttosqueezeyou · 30/03/2015 12:11

What about asking them to paint a white line across your driveway (and slightly either side). I see this a lot.

willowtree62 · 30/03/2015 12:15

I'm sure you can ask for the lamp post to be re-positioned but you will have to pay.

wanttosqueezeyou · 30/03/2015 12:15

Also have you tried reversing onto your drive? Might make it easier.

londonrach · 30/03/2015 12:18

Difficult one here. Photo shows your problem. You really could you with either a longer drive way or a shorter car. Any chance the car can be straight. Id be tempted to back into the driveway. I dont think you need to extend the dropped kerb as its not going yo help. Equally the neighbours are doing nothing wrong parking where they are, i dont think. Can you park on the road?

GraysAnalogy · 30/03/2015 12:19

Now with your pregnancy really is the best time to press the council. I would really read up on everything, state the facts and put pressure on

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 30/03/2015 12:24

Yep I can park on the road. Rarely any space as its the closest unrestricted street to the station. And we have a mechanics just up the road who park their cars down the street when they aren't working on them. Which is annoying and a whole other thread!

OP posts:

LowryFan · 30/03/2015 12:27

Your car is too big to get on and off your drive without getting in your neighbours way/driving on their bit of space. It's not your neighbours fault. The squeaky door might be helpful for them to know when their old dad is getting up and down so unless you know them really well, I wouldn't mention it. You will have a crying baby soon enough (hopefully not to often but you know what I mean) - think you have to live and let live.

LIZS · 30/03/2015 12:27

Can't see any streetlight on your picture [confused. I think your issues actually are the way cars can but up to the left of the dropped kerb and not having room to manoeuvre in backwards which might mean you can avoid the neighbours kerb and it would be easier to drive out. Council may not agree to a full width dropped kerb but extending by a metre or so may be less of an issue. Neighbours got permission to go 2 car width even with a streetlight on the edge btw.

Original poster

BeanCalledPickle · 30/03/2015 12:41

It's cool. Thanks for your views! I can see that the size of my car makes me unreasonable here. But ultimately if they park over and I can't move I will have to ask them to shift. Which they do. And like you say unfortunately the old guy may not be around a huge amount longer. My inconvenience is nothing compared to the horror of that situation I guess!

OP posts:

IconicTonic · 30/03/2015 12:45

Council should allow the drop curb to be lengthened a bit and/or lines painted to stop people blocking you in on the road. You need to make an appointment to make you case and not accept their no.

championnibbler · 30/03/2015 13:30

yes - by the sounds of it, he won't be here this time next year.
in their 90s, they really can go downhill fast at any time.
not wishing him dead or anything, but that's just the way it is when they're very old.

MidniteScribbler · 30/03/2015 21:26

Even if the gentleman passes away soon, I think you need to take steps to sort out your own driveway situation. If he passes away, the house could be sold and your new neighbours may not as amenable to moving for you all the time. Ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure you can park without expecting others to move their legally parked vehicles.

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