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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to see if neighbours would consider letting us park on their drive?

89 replies

GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:04

First thing - they don’t have cars.

Our street is mix of drives (illegal - none have dropped kerbs) but a lot of on street parking. For the last few years this has actually been fine as most people are pretty sensible and everyone who parks there every day parks in front of their house and everyone is considerate.

My neighbour however now has a new job and has parked an extremely long flatbed truck covering the front of our house where we’ve parked every day since we moved in and also covering his own drive. He has an additional car that also takes another space on the road.

So what was previously an easy setup I never even had to think about is now stressful every day as I genuinely have nowhere to park on my street.

Before anyone says - I can’t speak to him about it. He’s my immediate next door neighbour so knows he is inconveniencing me - last time we spoke was when he came into my garden and screamed in my face for a good 10 minutes because we had objected to his planning application. That’s the sort of person he is.

So is this a totally mad idea? If you had a drive and you never used it and didn’t own a car how would you feel approached by someone on your street and asking if they can park their car there? I would offer a small amount of cash (monthly?!) for their troubles?

Need to know if this is totally crackers and I’ve lost the plot and if someone came to your house and asked this what you’d think?

OP posts:
Original poster
GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:05

Sorry just to clarify - some are illegal (like my neighbours) but the people I am considering asking do have dropped kerbs.

OP posts:
BaklavaBalaclava · 26/09/2019 19:09

I don't have a car, have been asked this in the past , agreed happily and it worked well for all concerned.

I expect some people would be horrified, but asking politely once should be fine.

formerbabe · 26/09/2019 19:12

has parked an extremely long flatbed truck covering the front of our house where we’ve parked every day since we moved in

So? You don't own the road.

MrsMaiselsMuff · 26/09/2019 19:12

My neighbour and I effectively share spaces. Sometimes neither will have a car, sometimes one will have two, and sometimes both will have two. We use the spaces first, then park behind the parked cars, and knock/ shout through the window if someone needs to get out.

No harm in asking. Sorry other neighbour is a nasty man.

MrsMaiselsMuff · 26/09/2019 19:14

former, it's called being considerate of your neighbours. Makes life much more pleasant for everyone.

Original poster
GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:16

@formerbabe I know I don’t. Hence why I need to find a new solution.

OP posts:
MonChatEstMagnifique · 26/09/2019 19:16

You can ask, the worst they can say is no. If we had space on our drive, I'd be fine with it.

Winesalot · 26/09/2019 19:17

No harm in asking at all. We offer up our drive (with dropped kerb) to neighbours who ask. Obviously only if we haven’t parked our car in it ( DH works away and has car so it is regularly vacant).

Original poster
GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:17

@BaklavaBalaclava that is promising to hear! Did they pay you for using it if you don’t mind me asking?

OP posts:
HiJenny35 · 26/09/2019 19:17

I wouldn't want someone approaching me as I'd feel it was rude and put on the spot however I wouldn't mind someone putting a note through my door saying "I'm from number Xx would you consider allowing us to park on your drive for x amount per week" however you say you'd pay a small amount, I think you are being cheeky, you want to put your car up the front of their house, making dirt on the drive, they would have no come back if oil spoilt the drive or you damaged something. We are in London but not very central and you are looking at approx £100 per month to rent out a drive space so a small token depends what you are thinking.
Why don't you just pay and get your own drive and drop kerb?

DocFartin · 26/09/2019 19:17

@formerbabe

Oh fuck off! Who wouldn't be pissed off with that 🙄

Of course you don't 'own the road' but neighbour is being inconsiderate and rude, d is he ever move it? I would wait until he does and park my car there and then get taxis to work 😆

JonSlow · 26/09/2019 19:17

Can’t you get an official dropped curb for your drive?

MonChatEstMagnifique · 26/09/2019 19:19

Could you park on your drive if you were to apply to have the kerb dropped ?

Teddybear45 · 26/09/2019 19:19

If you want a drive pay for one. Asking a neighbour who has for the use of theirs is CF behaviour.

DesireLight · 26/09/2019 19:20

You can certainly ask - there's no harm in it, especially as you're willing to pay.

walksen · 26/09/2019 19:20

Im sure they may be amenable. There are websites for this sort of arrangement/ renting drives. People who live near airports etc can charge more.

Maybe have a look what the going rate is for your area so they dont think your offer is derisory.

Thr only issue might be that some flexibilty might be needed if they have family and friends staying over so perhaps agree a reasonable notice period or something.

katewhinesalot · 26/09/2019 19:20

Fine but make it clear that you won't be upset if they say no. I'd speak to them face to face but tell them they don't need to answer immediately if they'd like to think about it.

Original poster
GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:20

@jonslow I’m looking in to it, that would be ideal. I need to speak to the council because they say you need a 5m space which we don’t have! But some on the street the same length as us (i.e. also not 5 meters) have dropped kerbs so it just depends if they’ve changed the rules since. Ultimately that is what we’d like (cost permitting!)

OP posts:
Original poster
GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:23

@HiJenny35 I did wonder if a note would be more appropriate as yes it is much less awkward to be put on the spot!
And as for money I wasn’t sure what to offer. We are not in London.
I’m not an awful person - if I damaged something or oil leaked I would of course deal with it. But you’re right, they’re not to know that from a brief meeting or conversation.

OP posts:
FairyBatman · 26/09/2019 19:24

I encourage our neighbours to park their second cars on our drive if DH is away all week or we are on holiday. I do t drive and I always think that the empty drove makes the house more of a target for burglars.

Original poster
GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:24

@walksen I did think about that but with some notice I wouldn’t mind and would just have to muddle about for a space as I am now. That would be fine!
I’ll look at the going rate, that’s a good idea.

OP posts:
saraclara · 26/09/2019 19:25

If I didn't have a car, I'd appreciate the extra income. And it can be good for security. When I'm away on holiday, my neighbours park one of their cars on my drive so it's not so obvious that no-one is at home.

Original poster
GardenWoes231 · 26/09/2019 19:25

@Teddybear45 not really being a CF as I’m not exactly forcing them. They can say no I’m not holding a gun to their head.

OP posts:
Pinkyyy · 26/09/2019 19:26

I'd say no as I think it's quite cheeky. It's their home and they don't need the responsibility of having someone else's car outside. Suppose they damage it, you'd expect them to pay.

I don't think the fact that they don't have a car, automatically means they want someone else to park there. Would you ask to use any other part of their home when they weren't using it?

bellinisurge · 26/09/2019 19:27

Pay me rent and have a proper contract that did not give your property rights over mine and I would consider it.
Otherwise, polite no.

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