neighbours car has been in my garden for 3 months

[PastryOnMyMind]

first ever thread but I wanted some opinions from the outside

neighbours came to me in early May to ask if they can use our drive for two weeks, they bought their DD a car for her birthday as a surprise.
fair enough I thought no problem

the car is still there.

we don't want to cause tension with the neighbours because we all have to live here

my DD is 14 month and has just started to toddle so would like front garden back to make safe ( weeding, gates) for her to play in and I can sit on the door step whenever she wabts to venture outside.

we managed to catch him last week and told him we want to do our garden for DD (can't use back garden, subsided and v unsafe) and asked if he had an idea of when he was planning to shift his car

two months!!! we were quite shocked because he was very matter of fact, no apology etc and dp said "it's kind of taking the piss" and neighbour shrugged it off. it's the end of October...

aibu to want my garden back before October so I can let my DD run loose in her own space whilst we may still have sunny weather/ light evenings??
part of me feels selfish because we don't drive so don't have a car therefore a "drive way" in the literal meaning isn't needed. but our garden IS the drive way.

I'm quite timid and have no idea how to go about this whole situation so I was hoping some mumsnet opinions might help me figure out what to do

Keen to hear how this goes, just tell them, don't ask. You are commencing work on your garden next week and so need the car removed this weekend.

If you want to start on the garden this weekend, put 'tomorrow' or whatever.

Obviously do not adopt any suggestions here for damaging the car.

That car will stay there forever if you don't deal with this. You aren't causing tension he is taking the fucking piss. If you don't want to knock just pop a note through, chickens way out but do whatever you feel happier with, saying...
Hi, hope having the car on our drive has helped you out but sorry we need the car moved by Friday as we are having the garden sorted on Saturday. We can't wait any longer as we have already missed the whole summers use due to this. If you no longer want the car let us know and we will get a scrap dealer to collect it next week.
Thanks

Why on earth didn't you say something when the two weeks had gone and the car was still there?

You've let them walk all over you for this long, no wonder they think they can continue to do so.

PigletJohn has it right, too.

No I wouldn't write a letter. I wouldn't wait til after lunch either when he might go out. Just go round now and ask him to put his shoes on and move it.

What is the problem with him parking it in road?

Another vote for tell them, don't ask.

Knock on the door say 'car keys' then move it yourself the CFs

Yes, he needs to move it now. No more delays, excuses, faffing. It can be parked on the road.

Tell them no .... knock in the door and say we need our garden back so please move the car into the road or your own driveway today. If they say no then tell them that's fine I'll report it abandoned and get the authorities involved and walk away, then ring non emergency police number for advice

my DM is coming after lunch which is why I will g9 then, as I don't want to take DD round there she doesn't like male strangers.
I will definitely let you know how it goes. and inform dp that he better get his gardening gloves on

It won't be gone in October. That's her parking space now. She'll start driving it and park up when she wants.
You need to be firm and tell them.
You asked a favour for 2 weeks. It's been x months, you have taken advantage of our goodwill. There is absolutely no way it's staying until October, I want it gone today. Where you park it is not my problem. Oh and by the way you are very welcome for the kindness we have shown you in allowing you to take up our garden, we drink red/white/beer 😁

Not ANOTHER CFN (Cheeky F*cking Neighbor)

User I agree unfortunately, the girl/young woman will think that the garden is now her parking space.

Maybe invest in some penguin bollards?

so thy actually move it off drove round th block then parked it back there?

really taking the piss that is-she obviously wasnt test ready theyre spinning u a line

Yeah I wouldn't give them a week, that's like bending over, pointing at your arse and saying stick it there to these people.

Go over, tell them it needs to be gone today or you're going to have it towed. 6pm latest.

You can do it OP! Put your phone in your pocket, we will be like a little silent Army in you pocket cheering you on! I was a pleaser, it wore me down and gave me anxiety, I started being polite and more firmer and the world didn't change, and no friends disappeared. You will feel good for it. Chant in your head, no asking, no pleases just firm. You have a week to move your car, we have been more than accommodating. Your CFN (cheeky fucker neighbour) should be ashamed. Sounds like he might respond better to firm.

exactly, they worded it so that I assumed that in 2 weeks, her birthday would come and the car would go
they failed to mention she can't drive

What is the parking situation in your road OP? Are they leaving it on your drive because there's nowhere else to park or what?

Bird seed. Buy some, scatter it over the car when they're not awake. And enjoy.

I can't believe you could think that you were in the wrong to ask is there some other issue here that is clouding your judgement.

Having a baby doesn't usually result in such a change in personality does it?

Accidentally smash the window. Then take th handbrake off and move it.

Sorry that is not helpful but it's what I would want to do

Honestly, if you make yourself into a doormat, people like your neighbour will wipe their feet on you.

You do need to get tough! Issue an ultimatum, calmly but firmly, and refuse any further discussion.

We have a neighbour who can be charming, but can also be a bully, and sometimes gets away with it because he thinks he can intimidate people into backing down - and sometimes he's right. Never with us, though!
Please don't let your neighbour think he has free rein to take the P like this - it's just a form of bullying and intimidation because he thinks you're too weak or timid - and I don't mean that as an insult - to stand up to him

I love a Barry neighbour thread.