AIBU?
Neighbour complaining about our garden lights
Slave2love · 25/11/2019 11:09
Very petty and silly subject I know but here goes.
We have a small hedge on the edge of our front lawn to separate our garden from the neighbour's driveway. (Only recently planted, very small at this stage) further in on our lawn we have put a few small solar lights. Next doors drive is only just wide enough to squeeze 2 cars side by side and there is very little room to open doors etc. Until we put the hedge and lights in they were opening their car door fully over our garden in order to get out (also stepping on our land at times). Now I appreciate that we have made it awkward for them to open the doors fully now but surely they are not entitled to use our garden in order to get out of their car? They are new to the street but we knew of them previously and children are actually in the same class at school. Neighbour has asked this morning if we can move the solar lights. All has been pleasant with them up until now despite them being quite selfish neighbours. I could understand if the lights were on the boundary line but they are much further in. I feel it is them who have created the problem by parking 2 cars on a drive only really suitable for one. AIBU to not want to move the lights?
AdobeWanKenobi · 25/11/2019 11:16
I agree with @TheLightSideOfTheMoon move them, but build a wall.
There is no way a solar light is disturbing anyone at this time of year as the sun isn't strong enough to power them for anything more than an hour of an evening. They just want to be able to step over.
We do need a diagram though 
DuckWillow · 25/11/2019 11:41
Okay....just going to ask.
Why is it an issue that they open their car door over your garden?
Honestly this wouldn’t bother me.
Does them doing this cause you any issues or cause any damage to your garden?
If not it seems petty to stick up hedges and lights with the sole purpose of making their life more difficult when they get home.
RatherBeRiding · 25/11/2019 11:44
I would be inclined to ask them why they want the lights moving. Fair enough if the light was shining into their home and disturbing them. But if they want you to move your own lights that are sitting harmlessly in your own garden simply to allow them to open their car doors over your garden then I'd ignore the request.
Or, as others have suggested, remove lights and replace with picket fence!
IWorkAtTheCheesecakeFactory · 25/11/2019 11:46
Why are people seemingly incapable of reading the OP? It’s clearly stated it’s hindering the neighbours getting in and out their cars not to do with the lights.
Indeed, why are you incapable of reading? The lights are further into Ops garden than the hedge. The hedge is what is preventing them using OPs garden to get into their cars. (Which is exactly what physical boundaries are for.) but they haven’t asked her to move the hedge, just the lights.
Jaxhog · 25/11/2019 11:49
I would be inclined to ask them why they want the lights moving. Fair enough if the light was shining into their home and disturbing them. But if they want you to move your own lights that are sitting harmlessly in your own garden simply to allow them to open their car doors over your garden then I'd ignore the request.
This.
What are they going to do when your hedge grows bigger?
MeTheCoolOne · 25/11/2019 11:50
I'd move them. It wouldn't bother me if they stepped on to MY land unless they were complete knobs about other things.
I wouldn't want them to park on my land but I really can't see any issue with them stepping into it. Parking can be a pain in the arse and if it means they can park in their drive then I'd happily help them out.
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