How to confront my CF neighbour

[zippyyyx]

I have elderly neighbours and I think they are being CF for no reason. Previously they were leaving enough space for me to park my car outside my house - their car behind mine and my other neighbours 2nd car in front.

But recently they've started being really spiteful. Yesterday I nipped out with DC for 5 minutes round the corner, I'd come back and they'd purposely driven forward so I couldn't get back into my space. I suspected they'd done this before but yesterday it was really obvious that was the case.

It's starting to annoy me especially when getting DC out of the car and back into the house, unloading the shopping etc. There is always space behind their car too as their neighbours dont drive but it's like they want to make it impossible for me to park outside my own home.

AIBU? Or do I just ignore them?

I would go and check that they were okay! They’re obviously having trouble parking their cars so it would be polite of you to go and ask if they’re ok. Perhaps, the fact that you were being nice may throw them and shame them. If not, let air out of their tyres (only joking!?!).

Have you got space to make a drive and get a dropped kerb?

@Sunnydaysandsalad Nope and it's a rented property anyway unfortunately

Why would you confront them assuming they are just doing it to be irritating?

Surely your first call is to go and ask them if they mind parking a bit further back if they are second to park.
And actually it must be pretty irritating to always be the middle one manoeuvring out of the space, so why don't you have a rota for the middle car:
Monday and Thursday House 1
Tuesday and Friday House 2
Wednesday and Saturday House 3.
Sunday you can take it in turns.

Seriously, do you mean that if you arrived back second you'd park at the other end rather than in the middle? Surely Car 1 parks which end they like, car 2 parks in the middle and car 3 parks the other end.

@JammyHands

She could always get some people to lift the neighbours car back into position to save her from having to speak to her neighbour....is that useful?

Personally I'd speak to the neighbours but that's a bit too radical on Mumsnet

Our ndn does this occasionally..
Childish but we just do it back.
A few times a day at the weekend I walk to my car to get something and he is there at his door with his keys ready to take the space. Knob.
He put cctv up to watch his car and demands the space.. Fuck that.

Can't help without a diagram sorry

is there anyone else at home who can literally open the front door, watch them and wave? Just try to embarrass them out of it?

Instead of posting your grievance on here why not put on your big girl pants and knock on their door and politely ask if they could move forward a bit if it didn't put them out as it would be much easier for you. There, so easy just have a face to face chat.

I think I'd just park behind them, in front of the neighbour's house who doesn't drive.

It would only be 10 seconds further and would satisfy me more than them knowing I was bothered by their petty behaviour.

@gutentag1 I would do but there is a lamp post there so I can't

I agree with @gutentag1.

I would just park on the free space outside the other neighbours and then park tantalisingly close back in front of your own house / bordering on theirs - i.e. reverse the medicne when they are away making it awkward for them.

Nice smile.

"Hi, I couldn't help noticing you'd moved your car forward the other day while I'd nipped out briefly. Is there a problem, or is there any way we can park better to help each other out?"

Oooh parking wars, we have this in our cul de sac, between 2 neighbours, its so entertaining to watch. I would just park outside there house, no one owns the roads outside their homes, although many think they do.

Confront - nicely!

Hi CF neighbours. I notice since I left 5 minutes ago that you've moved your car a little but unfortunately it means I can't park in that space now - is it possible you could just shift it back please so we can all enjoy parking accordingly

Is there a problem with parking or anything g you're unhappy with - more than happy to talk things through if there's a problem

You may find they're old CF gits with duck all else to do other than be awkward - some oldies, bored people or dick heads are like that ... it's because nature abhors a hole - so they fill their vacant lives with stuff that fucks everyone else off -
Gives them Something to do and also Moan about - Double bubble 🙄

If they park outside yours why can you not park outside theres? Or another neighbours?

Just go round and ask why they are doing it, putting them on the spot might shock them enough to stop doing it

I would just park behind them and try and ignore their petty behaviour, don’t let them know they annoy you or it may escalate .

Did they go out while you were out and then return and park awkwardly or did the just move their car while you were out?

I think speaking to them would be the best idea.

Are they saving a space for someone else? My neighbour does this sometimes - space long enough for two cars so he’ll park in the middle and then move forwards for his wife to park behind when she returns.

I think you should speak to them, definitely mentioning the latest incident.