Falling out with new neighbours before we move in

[Regalparade]

We have recently just bought an end of terrace house with a driveway on the side. The lady who lived there previously did not drive or have a car. Next door have turned their front garden into a driveway...they can fit one car in but they have two cars and they park their other car by driving over our driveway into theirs. Obviously if we park then they are blocked in.
Actually we have to park our cars at an angle so their first car can come out easily. Their house didn't originally come with the driveway but ours did.
They have taken advantage of the fact the neighbour was elderly and didn't drive to suit their own needs. We have two cars to park. It's in a small cul de sac so no actual parking bays for non driveway users.
Any advice welcome on this. We don't want to fall out with neighbours but obviously want to park our cars on our own driveway. We drove past today and they had three cars on their driveway.

I think you're over thinking this. The neighbours will have realised that their parking arrangements will have to change once you move in and will have accepted that one of them will have to park on the street so there's no need to have any sort of chat with them.

THIS!

You're being incredibly timid and ridiculously accommodating and you have no reason AT ALL to think that there will be a falling out.

Just park on your property normally (no odd angles to allow them access) and if they say anything be unabashed and smiley about saying that of course things have changed now.

Was there any mention in your deeds?

We have parking at the rear of our house which is accessed by driving down our neighbour's driveway. It's theirs in the sense that they own the land but we have a right of way over it enshrined in both sets of deeds. Once down the drive we park on our own land. They have to ensure that the drive is not blocked so that we can make use of our right of way. Their parking then lies off to the other side on their land.

If there is nothing like that then I would just knock and explain that you are moving in and they will need to arrange a drop kerb and then park as you wish.

Surely you need to get this ironed out via your solicitor as part of the conveyancing process? That is what you are paying them for.

I think that because you are anxiously anticipating problem, you should seize the initiative by talking to them. Tell them kindly but assertively what you'll be doing. Don't apologise.

So stressful before you've even moved in. Just park on your own land and smoke them out.

Just curious as to how you know this. Because unless the NDN has told you directly I'd pretend total ignorance of their parking habits and just park as I please. I certainly wouldn't go to them and explain or, God forbid, apologize. Anything you say beforehand will just lead to them trying to negotiate or guilt you into allowing them to continue.

MN threads aren't representative of the RL that most of live in, OP. In most cases, the NDN will turn out to be reasonable decent people who understnad that they can't use your drive for access on a permanent basis and will take steps to sort out their situation without a big rift necessary.

Give them a chance!

Just park on your drive as you should, don't go parking squint. Don't go round to the neighbour to discuss the drive situation when you move in., Only if the neighbour comes and asks about getting across your front garden/drive should you talk about it with them.
Should be a short conversation. 'No, our drive/property can't be used for your car, ' and advise them to see about getting their dropped kerb made bigger.
Them getting their cars parked is not your problem .

Its your driveway

Well said OlennasWimple

Well yes OlennasWimple but that's why MN is so much more interesting than RL!

Is there house a corner plot? Thats the only thing that i can think of for a reason why they would need to drive over your drive to get to yours. A diagram would be much appreciated.