Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

neighbours car has been in my garden for 3 months

565 replies

PastryOnMyMind · 26/08/2017 10:14

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 doGrin

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Original poster
PastryOnMyMind · 26/08/2017 11:23

plenty of space to park on our road, they park their car outside their house and have a drive hey don't use. everyone has a drive on our road and it's a quiet road.

and no having a baby doesn't result in such a change for some people, but for me, moved away from friends and I did try a baby group but the man who ran it started facebook messaging me constantly and it became a bit odd so stopped going. it's getting easier now as I'm starting work again and she's more independent. but yes, the first 12 months of motherhood for me was very isolating, lonely and knocked my confidence. thankfully it's coming back.

I'm v excited to have my garden back. hopefully it'll all go smoothly Grin

OP posts:
LakieLady · 26/08/2017 11:23

The cheek of some people never ceases to amaze me. Tell him to move the fucking thing and put it on the road.

Wauden · 26/08/2017 11:23

Regarding the female/male analogy, OP, what's all this about 'growing some balls'? Could you use a less male analogy? Best wishes with the confidence and assertiveness, and I know its just an expression, but - woman up!

Original poster
PastryOnMyMind · 26/08/2017 11:24

Barry neighbours, I like it Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
PastryOnMyMind · 26/08/2017 11:25

"growing some balls" it's just an expression. no anti feminism intended or anything.

OP posts:
hesterton · 26/08/2017 11:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whinesalot · 26/08/2017 11:26

If it would be easier then drop a note through their door. But do something...

AprilLady4 · 26/08/2017 11:27
Shock
Mummyoflittledragon · 26/08/2017 11:27

So what if she can't drive. Surely the car would be to take her out with l plates. They seem very lazy.

Original poster
PastryOnMyMind · 26/08/2017 11:27

a lot of people on my road don't seem to use their drives often. no idea why!

OP posts:
SleepFreeZone · 26/08/2017 11:28

The problem here is you and your DP and your lack of assertiveness. There will always be people queuing up to take the piss out of you. It's tough out there.

You need to talk your neighbours you need it moved by tomorrow or you'll be ringing the police and reporting it as abandoned. Then you walk back to your house a new woman.

Original poster
PastryOnMyMind · 26/08/2017 11:29

DM coming at 1pm so will be able to pop over without DD then and will report back Grin thanks for the push, everybody!

OP posts:
dudsville · 26/08/2017 11:30

OP, good luck and one word of advice. Don't give a reason other than that you were under the impression that it would be until the kid's birthday but now you see that it is an ongoing thing and you no longer want the car there. If you give the excuse of wanting your property for some reason like your toddler wanting access to your garden, while perfectly reasonable, this opens the door for them to debate with you your reasoning. You're just letting them know that it's time for the car to go to their property.

Floellabumbags · 26/08/2017 11:30

I bet if you ask around the other neighbours you'll find out that he is the arsehole of the street.

Don't beat yourself up about your lack of assertiveness, having children really can knock your confidence.

Maplestaple · 26/08/2017 11:31

Cheeky fuckers!! Hope you get it sorted.

QuestionableMouse · 26/08/2017 11:31

I'd actually not bother telling the neighbours anything else. Phone and report it abandoned. You've spoken to them already and they've been unreasonable. I can't see that changing.

I have a feeling it won't have a valid MOT so they wouldn't be able to tax it anyway.

JigglyTuff · 26/08/2017 11:33

Agree with not giving reasons and excuses. Broken record. "I want it moved by X". Just keep repeating

MrsOverTheRoad · 26/08/2017 11:34

Glad you've grown some flaps OP!

Grin

Make sure you TELL. Don't ask.

QOD · 26/08/2017 11:34

Oh god this makes me so mad 😂
I'm sooooo territorial

Fairenuff · 26/08/2017 11:34

Why doesn't he park it on his own drive? Confused

And why haven't you told him to park it on his own drive? Even more Confused

Where do you park your car OP?

vikingprincess81 · 26/08/2017 11:35

I'll give you an incentive OP - your daughter, your child who you love more than anything, is being deprived of a play space.
As dd goes up through nursery and school there will be numerous cheeky soda who WILL take the piss if you let them. Spine of steel, do it for your wee girl Smile

Nikephorus · 26/08/2017 11:36

Don't accept any excuses or "compromises":
Them: "We just need to leave it for 2 weeks"
You: "No, it needs to be gone by 5pm today or we'll move it for you"
Them: "But we....crap excuse....
You: "No, it needs to be gone by 5pm today or we'll move it for you"
Them: "But......"
You: "No, it needs to be gone by 5pm today or we'll move it for you"
Them: "You're being bloody unreasonable"
You: "It needs to be gone by 5pm today or we'll move it for you. Goodbye"
Turn and leave. And if it's not gone by 5pm (or whatever) then you ring the doorbell & tell them that unless they move it this instant you will be calling the tow-truck immediately. And follow through.
Practice in the mirror if necessary! Decide on your line and repeat.

vikingprincess81 · 26/08/2017 11:36

Cheeky soda sound quite nice! Obviously cheeky sods! Wink

chocolateworshipper · 26/08/2017 11:37

Jolly well love a parking thread.

But you do KNOW that it is customary to provide a diagram in these circumstances?

P.S. do you by any chance have a rugby team anywhere nearby?

user1471443504 · 26/08/2017 11:37

If they have their own path then that's even cheekier and weirder!
There's a play centre by me that has a car that children can paint. If they don't move it your daughter could begin to express herself through the medium of art......

Swipe left for the next trending thread