As we all love a neighbour/ parking thread...

[Hermie12]

Interested in your thoughts on this please, before I think about approaching new neighbour about their parking. We had new neighbours move in about a month ago opposite us. They have 1 parking space off road at the front of their terrace but obviously have 2 vehicles. 2nd vehicle always gets parked right in front of their house but on the road, this also happens to be directly opposite our drive, making it a complete mare for us to reverse into our drive.
I’ve bit my tongue so far and although dp and ndn are also moaning about it, I know I will end up being the only one with enough oomph to actually say anything. The thing is there is space off road at the front of our house should nobody else be parked there , also literally round the corner plenty of safer roadside parking, so Its not like there are not other options.
So firstly aibu to ask them not to park there?
Do you think they even realise how difficult they are making it for us?
If I do approach them, how do I word it? We haven’t even met them and I don’t want a fall out but the longer time goes on the more it pisses me off quite frankly. However it’s probably legally parked just bloody annoying.
I have attempted obligatory map with rubbish drawings to try and show things more clearly (or not!) .

Sorry YABU - they aren't doing anything wrong, and why should they park further away for your convenience? Could you perhaps park in the empty space in front of your house?

I just point out that it is making it diffocult to access your drive.

I was always taught not to park opposite people's driveways as its hard for them to access.

Technically they aren't doing anything wrong so be nice but they may say no.

Or next time you see them out the front go move your car and reverse very close to their car or do loads of manoeuvres to make the point. They may get worried about you hitting their car 😂

I disagree as I have a similar problem so I can sympathise! You shouldn’t park opposite the end of driveway if it restricts access. CNA to look it up but I can remember it being a fail if you did it in your driving test when asked to ‘pull in at the next safest place’
Just ask them not to, can’t they shift along?
It’s builders in our case, so different vans parked there every day as someone is building a house opposite.
Don’t get me started on the number of times half of the road has been dug up bang opposite my drive without notice.

Lazypuppy Or next time you see them out the front go move your car and reverse very close to their car or do loads of manoeuvres to make the point. They may get worried about you hitting their car 😂

I can only hope they were looking out of the window earlier then, as with cars off road either side of our drive, I came down the road couldnt get an angle to reverse, carried on turned round, tried again from a different angle, coming very close to their car as I reversed in whilst someone was patiently waiting to get past. All with a running commetary from my 3 year old dd “what are you doing mummy?” 😂

I don't think you're unreasonable to politely ask but obviously it's within their rights to say no. Technically they aren't doing anything wrong but I would be surprised if they don't know it makes your life difficult and maybe they're just selfish.

I would just reverse in which I know can be a pain too.

Reverse in, it's easier anyway.

I always reverse in. The angle makes it difficult when there car is parked there. I think I will try and have a friendly chat and explain the problem and hopefully appeal to their good nature. I think if it was a clear cut “you shouldnt be parked there” issue it would be easier. It’s not like I cant also see the situation from their side as well.

I think if you approach it from the pov of it making it extremely difficult for you to get on and off your drive there's no issue. Hopefully they will respond reasonably.

Depends what the neighbour is like. I would add 'if it's too much hassle I completely understand' or words to that effect. They are more likely to do it if you understand it's a favour.

lovely diagram!

I think I'd try and make it sound like a favour to them. "Thank goodness for parking sensors, I can get to an inch of your car when I'm reversing into our drive and not worry about hitting it. I must remind Great Aunty Betty to be careful when she visits though, she drives like she's at the dodgems"

I would make a joke of it, pop round to introduce yourself, mock your own driving skills a bit and ask them to park elsewhere as you’re worried you’ll hit them.
:-)
Then again I did once drive into my neighbors wheelie bin while trying to manoeuvre off our drive so it could be less of a joke about my driving and more an actual concern 🤔

I'm not sure threatening to hit their car, however veiled, is a good idea. That way, if someone does hit their car, you'll be their first suspect!
Can you not just manoeuvre a bit and get in, or park in the empty spot outside your house? It's really not their problem.

Oh @petitprince I didn’t mean it as a threat 😳 I just meant I would be at risk of hitting it if I had to manoeuvre around it every time so maybe mentioning that would make them think they best move it elsewhere.
Oh dear :-s

Isn't that what a threat is though? Suggesting that you may damage their property so they should move so that you don't?

@Petitprince well I meant it as in I could hit it accidentally rather than threatening to do it on purpose anyway never mind I didn’t mean it to come across as threatening or aggressive

I have to say, I actually think they are being really considerate with their parking. Or at least, that that's their intention. From the picture you've drawn, they are actually parking across their own driveway, blocking in their other car. I suspect they are doing this deliberately to avoid upsetting other neighbours - they are mid terrace and if they parked in front of their neighbours houses, their neighbours would then have to park somewhere else further away, and it would take up an extra space in the road as no-one else could park in front of their drive and block them in.

I would love it if my neighbours parked in front of their own drives as I don't have one and can't find a space within 400yds if I get home after 7pm!

But, they probably haven't weighed up that what they are doing is upsetting you.
Have a chat by all means, but at least come at it from the assumption that they are actually trying to do the right thing, and might get defensive if you point out it's actually inconveniencing you.