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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It's a parking one!

17 replies

MarchSurprise · 07/01/2019 22:40

I am FUMING 😡 AIBU to ask for your advice on what I can do about neighbours builders causing my cars to be damaged 4 times over the space of 6 weeks.

Background information: on-street parking, never any issues previously. Most neighbours have "spots" which we respect and park elsewhere if somebody parks in our usual spot rather than taking another neighbours usual spot, all nice and neighbourly -standard.

New neighbours move in and insist on parking on the opposite side of the road to everybody else, reducing the number of spots available. We move our two cars down and park tighter to allow them more space for their two cars, so everything was fine.

They have had builders in for months parking all down the street and blocking driveways etc. Mid November I noticed that my back light had been smashed at the same level as the bit that sticks out on their van, but obviously could not prove it was them. After this, they seemed to park closer to my car on the opposite side of the road across a neighbours driveway, so meaning cars could only just scrape through. They obstructed the road numerous times for vans and wagons, meaning I had to go and move my car that was already parked up long before they arrived. Obviously if I went out I'd park further down the street to ensure there was plenty of space for cars to get through.

At the beginning of December I went out to move my car as they'd blocked it again and asked the builder to stop obstructing the road, telling him he was parking on a dropped kerb illegally and was putting my car at danger. He absolutely flew at me, got right into my face pointing his finger shouting at me to piss off and park my car elsewhere. I am 7 months pregnant so he was trying to intimidate a pregnant woman whilst the people whose house they're working on remain completely unaffected and keep their cars right outside their house, expecting us to all park miles away. The builder was extremely aggressive to me and I considered contacting the police, but left it.

After this they began to constantly park on the road opposite my car causing it to be very very tight for passing cars no matter where I parked my car, they would come and park opposite and put my car at risk. A week later my car was damaged as he had actually pulled up alongside it and a car squeezed through, leaving big dents and scratches. Two weeks after this they did it again, my car getting hit once more.

One time I had to park up the street which was fine, but the builders then blocked my path on the walk past the house they are working on and stared until I got right up to them, I believe they're intentionally trying to intimidate me.

This afternoon, there were no builders so I pulled up in my business vehicle on the street where the neighbour likes to park as this was the free space, leaving loads of room. Half an hour later the builder pulls up and parks opposite my car tight again. I went out a couple of hours later and the back of my wing mirror had been knocked off and thrown in front of the car - the mirror had not moved at all so I suspect the damage was done by hand rather than a passing car.

I am at my wits end as I feel completely targeted. I am 7 months pregnant and suffering from a lot of pain so I'm trying to park considerately but close to the house so I don't have to do too much walking. I could park a few minutes walk away but with my cars being damaged so much it makes me anxious having them completely out of sight. Also the builders schedule is so unpredictable so I would have to never park anywhere near my house - for example they can turn up sat/sun afternoons when they haven't been at all for a few days. Has anybody had to deal with similar? My anxiety is through the roof and I feel completely harassed with it.

OP posts:
userschmoozer · 07/01/2019 22:41

Thats terrible, can you install a dashcam?

Jammerbean · 07/01/2019 22:45

Id be thinking of a dash cam. Could catch them in the act, or could detter them.

LakieLady · 07/01/2019 22:52

This is appalling! If their vehicles are signwritten and it's a reasonable sized company, I'd report them to the company.

I wonder if there's anything that can be done about them blocking the road? If there's only just enough room for a car to get through, an ambulance or fire engine would have no chance. The fire brigade used to come round where I live with the police and put a notice on cars that were parked in such a way that a fire engine wouldn't be able to get through, but that hasn't happened for years (spending cuts, probably).

I'd definitely some sort of camera, at least then you'll be able to see whose causing the damage and report them. Even a pretend one might be a deterrent.

What a misogynist bunch of shits they are.

gimmeadoughnut123 · 07/01/2019 22:56

If you can't prove they caused the damage sadly, you can't do anything about that. Get a dash cam, they are definitely worth it and can save you insurance fault battles.

As for the builders behaviour which imo seems threatening - does he know your neighbours personally? Can you have a quiet word?
You can call the police too. But personally I would live in fear of further targeting.

LonelyAmongUs · 07/01/2019 23:04

Dashcam, diary of events, document everything and when you get in or out of your car, set your mobile to record video but pretend you are on a call - if anyone approaches you, you've got proof. Speak to 101 and get an incident reference number, lobby your local councillor (whatever political hue) and get them jumping up and down at transportation services.

JohnCRaven · 07/01/2019 23:08

Dash cam
CCTV
Police log for harassment

StoneofDestiny · 07/01/2019 23:14

If they are blocking dropped kerbs and making it impossible for emergency vehicles to get through, they are breaking the law. Report them.
Have you discussed this behaviour with your neighbours?

UhUhUhDennis · 07/01/2019 23:56

Police. You should have done it the first time he verbally assaulted you.

JellyTeapot · 08/01/2019 00:01

Police, definitely. You could also let the council planning dept know about them working on a sat/sun afternoon, this is most likely against regs.

7yo7yo · 08/01/2019 00:09

Police. I’d also put a letter through the neighbours door and say you have cctv cameras installed and will be passing the footage on to the police.

Graphista · 08/01/2019 00:13

Definitely a police issue this is way beyond a parking issue.

Harassment and criminal damage at least.

I think you'll find when you call these arses are already well known to your local cops!

Drogosnextwife · 08/01/2019 00:21

Do not live I fear of these aggressive bullies. If you do happen to say. Anything to them again make sure you are discretely filming it on your phone. Stop moving your car for people to get past, and point them in the direction of the neighbours house. Take pictures of the damage to your car. Send a letter to the neighbours to let them know you have cctv footage and will be reporting to the police.

MarchSurprise · 08/01/2019 09:20

Thank you everybody, I feel loads better having you all agree with me that it is a police problem.

It's actually the owner of the building company that's the problem and the neighbours have made it worse.

We are going to put a cctv camera from the bedroom window to cover the car, and I'll take some photos before logging it with the police in case anything else happens. I will also invest in a dash cam that has a parking mode.

Interestingly, I arrived at the same time as the builders that are employed by the bully, and they MOVED the car to allow me to park, unfortunately I was so surprised by this I completely messed up my manoeuvre and looked like I can't drive at all, they must wonder how I've never hit and scratched my car before myself haha. This is the first time ever that they've ever done that...

OP posts:
7yo7yo · 08/01/2019 13:48

I don’t know why you wouldn’t go to the police with the hassle
You’ve already had.

homeishere · 08/01/2019 14:07

Stick a screwdriver in one of their tyres. Pricks.

Inertia · 08/01/2019 14:08

I can’t see that you’d get anywhere with chasing damage so far, as there’s no proof.

Investing in a dash cam and cctv is a good idea.

Villanellesproudmum · 08/01/2019 14:22

Did you speak with the neighbour?

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