A parking AIBU (sorry)

[getyourgeekon]

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?

I think that as you have asked them then they should stop.

It must be annoying for them that you have a garage & don't use it though & have two cars on the road when in theory you could have one off the road & they have no choice but to use the road.

Yes, if it is yours, then by definition you aren't blocking it, because you can move your car if the owner (i.e. you) requires access.

I think this 'only being an offence if there is a car on the drive' thing is a MN rumour that has somehow been accepted as fact...

'tis twaddle.

I kind of agree, diddl, but there is parking, you just sometimes have to walk for a bit, which is often what I do. I sometimes double park to unload then find a space.

We did pay a premium for the house with a garage and we use it as a workshop, to store bikes, the freezer, camping equipment etc - it's well used. They have two cars also but no kids.

its not just a mumsnet thing

random quick google
www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/ask-us/roads,-driving-and-cycling/theres-a-car-blocking-my-drive,-what-can-i-do

from the link i posted

"Please be aware that although parking on a dropped kerb over a driveway is a parking offence, police have limited powers when it comes to blocked driveways. Legally, you have a right of access from your driveway onto the street, but not from the street onto your drive."

i wouldn't tell your neighbours that though

Shared access drive?

We have a shared drive with our neighbours, and they have a garage at the bottom of theirs, ours is in the garden (Why the eff that is I don't know!) so me and DH can't park on the drive because that would impede the neighbours getting out, so DH parks on the street (he has a company car, we have to pay my insurance) and on the street there are loads of dropped kerbs leading to neighbours' drives....and we'd never park infront of one....

sanfairyanne That's just an unreferenced quote from a police website, why would you give that any credence when, as you can see, it directly contradicts the highway code?

Admittedly though it is a civil matter, rather than a criminal (hence police) one.

I'd be tempted to get the buggers towed and sue for damages through MCOL.

the highway code isn't law. some parts of it are also law but it isn't (unfortunately) the case that just because it says x y or z in the highway code, that it is legally enforceable

i just posted a quick link to show its not just a mumsnet thing. police website seemed as good as any for a quick guide to the law

i would get one of those signs about not obstructing the garage etc and see how you got on with that, op

I think SanFairy is correct too. I don't think it's mumsnet twaddle. Depends where you live.

That's what I had read too, sanfairyanne

We do already have a sign on the garage... Might get a shiny big new one, and offer to get one for our attached neighbour.

Can't you move something big and heavy into your garage, which accidently brushes scratches the cars in the way. Ooops did I just say that?

My garage is set up the same (I think!) but it's an unwritten neighbourhood rule that you don't park in someone else's place. It's only happened twice in the 4 years I've lived here. Even if you don't block the garage and just park outside the back fence it doesn't leave enough room for the owner to park outside their garage, so it's just rude. I would be very pissed off if someone kept doing it to me, though we all have a garage so there's really no need. If you have a 2nd car then you take your chances to find a space on the side of the street with no houses.

I think it's difficult if they aren't actually blocking access.

Its in the Highway Code, in black and white, to which I have linked.

you can actually see the difference on that very link to the highway code. some things are must not, some are do not. it reflects the different legal status.