AIBU for thinking I should say no to my neighbours putting a skip on my garden again?

[Gingernutsandtea]

My neighbour asked me a few months ago if she and her DH could use my driveway to put a large skip on, so that they wouldn't have to apply for a skip permit and save money.
I don't use the drive and, as I felt like I was put on the spot and also because I try to be neighbourly, I agreed.
The lady said it'd only be there for about 5 days, and said that once they'd put their rubbish in I could feel free to put anything I wanted to get rid of if there was room.

Her DH filled the skip and put a cover over, held down by slabs, I'm assuming in order to prevent anyone else's rubbish going in. Fair enough, it was their skip after all.

The skip was removed and I was left feeling a bit narked that it was left to me to clear small bits of wood/rubbish etc that had been left on my garden. Furthermore, neither of the couple have since thanked me for allowing the use of my drive (although the wife did thank me when I initially agreed to the skip).

Now the lady is talking about having to get another skip soon after they have a kitchen and bathroom refit. I'm expecting to be asked again for the use of my driveway, but I anticipate I won't hardly get a thank you or even a bottle of wine as a thank you gesture , and I'll again be left to clear any mess left behind. I wouldn't mind so much if I felt my favour was appreciated.

AIBU to say no? How can I get out of it?

To add, the neighbours in question have never once done me any favours, in fact the DH tried to rip me off years back by trying to overcharge me for something. Nothing major, but won't go into it as it may out me! ....

Could you start using the drive? Even if you don't own a car, get a cheap old one and stick it on there, then get rid once their work is done? Or get some nice pot plants?

Deffo don't let them park there instead. If they've got CF tendencies they will be permanently parked there.

You might need a fence

If you have space for a drive, I'm assuming they use their own equivalent space as a garden area?

Then they can put the skip on their own property and rectify the issues afterwards if they want to be tight and not pay the permit fees.

Refuse. It would piss me off as well

I would say no if they ask. No need to give a reason.

And I'd put something there to stop them just doing it!

If they've got CF tendencies

From OPs OP, there's no "if" ...

the lady was saying about getting one and I'm just anticipating that they will ask as its convenient and cheaper for them.

I suspect that was her way of letting you know more skips would be landing on your driveway. You'll have lorry-driver arguing the toss, claiming that's where he's been told to drop it.

I think you need to make things very clear now, before a skip arrives.

*A building project is not the same, it's going to be a lot more inconvenient. I'm sure you don't want a succession of builders on your land.

I'd say something along the lines that last time was a one off gesture of neighbourliness and you didn't mind helping out for a couple of days but a whole building project is out of the question.*

@MumW has it right. Just state that. Building works is too much for you to have to deal with. Besides, it's what? £30 a week on average for a skip license. (£22 here)
That should already be in their renovations budget. Will their builder not be sorting that anyway?

See if you can rent your driveway then you'll make a bit of £££ and your driveway will be being used.

They are not going to ask you again, they're just going to do it, I can absolutely tell.

First, see if you can rent your driveway out. If so, you'll have a valid reason to say no (and you'll be making some money)

If not, do they have a driveway? In which case, you can still be neighbourly and let them park their car on your driveway while the building work is going on, and have the skip on theirs.

They are not going to ask, you've already given permision as far as they're concerned.

Agree with PP. Neighbour thinks she's already 'asked'. Brace yourself OP.

DGRosetti, I agree with you about the 'good relations'.
I know for a fact if anyone did me a favour I would show my appreciation with a huge thank you and a bottle of wine/ chocs etc.
It's not particularly the fact I want a gift, its the principle. I've saved them money (and made things convenient) and its not been acknowledged or appreciated.

As for them leaving bits of rubbish, I feel as if they're indirectly letting me know they don't respect me, and that they feel they can just walk over me.

I suppose I have given them the impression that I'm a soft touch by not saying anything when their teenage kids often take a short cut through my garden to get to the street quicker instead of going out their own gate. It's wound me up no end but I just accepted it to 'keep the peace' so to speak.
I'm now realising that that's why they continue to be cheeky bastards. Because I let them.

Thanks all for your responses! This thread is helping me to see my neighbours for what they really are!

A few posters have suggested that I put something on my drive to block any skips. Whilst thats a good idea, I don't think I should have to resort to that. I may want my own skip there one time. Furthermore, I don't want to give them the message that the only reason they can't plant a skip there any longer is because I've altered the drive. I'm going to leave it free and unblocked, and if they decide to put a skip (or anything else there again) I shall have it moved immediately.
Fuck em!

Off to work soon so I'll be back later. Thanks all.

You should be able to say no, but it can be difficult with neighbours. You could say you’ve promised the drive to a friend, but he/she doesn’t know exactly when they will need it. (And when the friend doesn’t use it, their plans changed..)

Say no. Its that simple.

Get your planters out on your drive NOW. before she gets a chance to ask/act.

Plant a hedge between your boundary so the lazy teens have to walk out of their own drive and on to the road and not across your property.

(imagine Tommy Cooper)

I want a skip outside my house.
I'm not stopping you

Just to add, OP, that not only will your neighbours claim that you said it was OK to have a skip on your drive (which then allows them to pretend it's you that's being the arse here), but they will probably plan it's delivery to ensure that you can't immediately get rid of it. So watch out for last thing on a Friday before a Bank Holiday ...

Personally I would try and make sure it's physically difficult ("Impossible" takes on new bounds where CFs are involved) to get a skip on your drive. Bear in mind skip lifts can drop over gates, so just locking gates wouldn't be enough.

If you can't make it crystal clear in conversation, then some sort of marking on your drive saying "NO SKIPS HERE" might be an idea ?

(The mischievous in me would call the skip company under guise of being your neighbours, just to see what instructions they might have given ... but that's probably taking things a little too far ...)

Charge them!

Or if they use their drive for cars, why can't they put the skip on their drive and maybe park on your drive? Then you won't have a mess?

Did you not get ‘skip raiders’ last time? We’ve been having building work and I’ve seen several people going through our skip looking for stuff. A few people have knocked on the door to ask as well- if I was you I’d say something along the lines of “it made me quite uneasy having people come onto my garden to look through the skip last time so I’m afraid not’

I'd say "no, I'd rather not, sorry." but no more. They cant argue with your preference. If they don't ask but you're worried they will have it stuck there anyway, can you put something in your drive (sandpit or pots of geraniums or something) to make it v awkward and more obviously not an availabile space?

Whitecups suggestion is good too!

Oh good update OP!