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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

A parking AIBU (sorry)

67 replies

getyourgeekon · 07/06/2015 20:42

I can't decide whether to approach our neighbours so thought I'd ask here.

We live on a street of semis. Some of the house pairs have garages (ours included), some do not. A while ago a neighbour started parking in front of our/attached neighbour's garage when they couldn't park outside their home (no garage). When we had a baby I asked them if they could stop parking in front of ours so i didn't have to lug baby in seat too far. They didn't agree as such, just moaned about lack of parking but they did stop for a while. Now they park in front of the garages most days, and another neighbour has also started following suit. Our attached neighbour (elderly, doesn't drive) was upset yesterday as a friend with mobility issues couldn't come to visit him as neighbours had parked cars in front of both garages. No one has ever asked him (or us) if we mind them parking there.

Now, I know they are parking legally (not blocking us in). It also feels a bit entitled to say we should be able to retain the space in front of our garage for our exclusive use.

On the flip side I feel just because you can do something doesn't mean you should, and they could at least have asked first. I personally wouldn't park in front of anyone's garage.

So, do I say something to the neighbours concerned (ie, please stop parking there) or just suck it up?

OP posts:

diddl · 07/06/2015 21:41

But unless you can see into the garage, how would you know whether or not there is a car in there that you are blocking in??

Blu · 07/06/2015 21:42

So where do you park?
Maybe they think that if you use another bit of road AND your dropped curb has to be left free as well, you are taking up spaces unnecessarily?

And if you don't use your garage or drive than the dropped kerb is a bit of a parking pace blocker...

But of course they are being U.

MythicalKings · 07/06/2015 21:44

Health Warning

Nobody Google penguin bollards!

RobotHamster · 07/06/2015 21:46

But it's your garage.. Of course they can't block access, no more than someone can park on my drive? Was going to suggest checking deeds. If it's your land then they definitely can't Park there.

UmmErrWhateves · 07/06/2015 21:46

Tricky but I think yabu (sorry) and I don't think you should ask them to move. Are you able to clear out your garage?

PatsyNoPasta · 07/06/2015 21:47

Tell them to bloody move! It's obviously your garage and so you need access to it. What goes through their minds when they quite clearly park either on or in front of someone's property? If your neighbours need a parking space, tell them to buy a house with a drive or garage.

evelynj · 07/06/2015 22:22

Use garage, drop kerbs. They are BU.

TedAndLola · 08/06/2015 11:34

I'm still confused. You wanted them to stop so you didn't have to carry the baby seat too far, does that mean you park in front of your garage when it's free? If so, you are more or less using your garage for car parking so YANBU. If you have a garage AND take up another parking space (not in front of the garage) I think YABU.

WayneRooneysHair · 08/06/2015 11:39

Where are you parking your car OP?

Hobby2014 · 08/06/2015 11:39

I'm so confused.
Photos needed I think.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 08/06/2015 11:45

OK, trying to get a clear picture here , is it a garage next to your house with a driveway in front? Or a pair of garages in a separate place?

I think I must have misunderstood, because if someone is regularly parking across your drive & blocking you from using it then that is definitely not acceptable!

To those saying "they're doing nothing wrong, none of your business." Really? Really? You generally pay extra for a house with a garage & driveway than for one without. Of course you have a right to bloody well use it!

However, if the garages are separate from the houses - elsewhere in the road - and you wouldn't generally park in front of them anyway, then I would most likely let it go.

InstitutionCode · 08/06/2015 11:51

I don't get the you can park over a dropped kerb provided you're not blocking someone in. If you park in front of a closed garage, how do you know you're not blocking someone in?

Legal or not it's rude and inconsiderate.

Does your garage not have a drive, or does it open directly onto the road?

jaynebxl · 08/06/2015 11:56

Am I right in thinking there's no drive in front of the garage or something?

PuppyMonkey · 08/06/2015 12:00

Parking threads on MN - nothing quite matches them for MNers.

I didn't get it either - the fact you and your neighbours aren't using your garages for cars is irrelevant. How do the people parking in front know this? You might have a rare Austin Martin inside that only comes out once every 27 years but you still have a right to get it out when you want to don't you?

PuppyMonkey · 08/06/2015 12:01

I don't think I mean Austin Martin do I?

morelikeguidelines · 08/06/2015 12:09

I understand it's legal to park in front of a dropped curb if car is not blocked in (weird though).

I also think it is "not done" in a British kind of way. So yanbu.

InstitutionCode · 08/06/2015 12:13

But how do you know you're not blocking someone in, if you park in front of a garage. This bothers me every time this comes up

Boosiehs · 08/06/2015 12:15

It actually is against the law if you are in London...
<a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/tmaportal/tmafeatures/tmapart6/secparkingfactsheets/parkingonpavements" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/tmaportal/tmafeatures/tmapart6/secparkingfactsheets/parkingonpavements

diddl · 08/06/2015 12:26

"But how do you know you're not blocking someone in, if you park in front of a garage."

I know!

My dad gets this. So he goes out & tells them that they are blocking his drive.

"But there's not a car on it"

"No, but can you see that garage at the end of the drive? Take a good guess as to what's in there!!"

I think people either don't expect garages anymore, or don't expect them to be used for cars!

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 08/06/2015 12:41

Aston Martin Puppy .

Like what James Bond drives.

PuppyMonkey · 08/06/2015 12:44

Or an Austin Allegro perhaps

BatteryPoweredHen · 08/06/2015 12:54

legally it's only not ok to park on dropped curbs if you're blocking someone in (garage or driveway)

I see this statement a lot on MN, but it's not true - you are not allowed to block an entrance to a property (and that includes a garage) full stop...

See s243

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 08/06/2015 13:35

Austin Allegro, wow, that takes me back! My DB had one for his first car. .

I'd be very surprised if it's in OP's garage now though .

Original poster

getyourgeekon · 08/06/2015 17:05

I thought this had died.
Yes the garages go straight onto the road, houses are above (side of hill) with steps down to the street. I would post a photo but that might identify me.

Aston Martin I wish! More likely an Austin Allegero. Our neighbours know what cars we have (two small cars) so don't think I can pretend we have something sneaking in the garage.

I park either roadside wherever I can find space, or in front of our garage. I don't like to encroach on our attached neighbour's garage so sometimes there's not enough room to put my car there.

Battery thanks for that. So do not park "in front of an entrance to a property"... Think this counts? then am I allowed to park there?

OP posts:

Original poster

getyourgeekon · 08/06/2015 17:07

Ps thanks for your opinions all, not sure if I'll resolve this but interesting to hear what ppl think.

OP posts:

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