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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let neighbour park on our drive

261 replies

Sexnotgender · 27/10/2020 18:45

Neighbour 2 up approached DH the other day to ask a favour.

He’s getting a new car and doesn’t want to park it on the road in case it gets damaged. There’s plenty of parking and it’s a fairly quiet road but he wants to park it off road. Can’t park on his own driveway as his wife’s car is there. Wants to use ours.

Was I unreasonable to say a flat out no?

OP posts:
PumpkinsPatch · 27/10/2020 19:59

Absolutely no.

Great reasons on here if you want to give an excuse.

Especially the don't want to be liable for damage and robbery for car keys.

But equally. I bet those things start up NOISILY

Imagine if he's coming and going on your driveway early/late with a huge tank roaring and loads of fumes kicking out.

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 27/10/2020 19:59

@Belleende

Out of interest what did your husband say? Me thinks you are being lined up to take the blame for saying no. "sorry mate, her indoors said no, bloody women"
He said he wasn’t sure as he was totally caught off guard! Thankfully he’s not the type to sell me down the river.
OP posts:
CakeRequired · 27/10/2020 20:00

His problem he bought a massive car and a house with a small driveway. Not yours. Definitely say no.

Aroaringfire · 27/10/2020 20:01

I bet the neighbour has ordered the car assuming that his wife will give up the driveway spot for his expensive toy and has been given short shrift. For the sake of sisterhood, you have to say no Grin

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 27/10/2020 20:02

How daft can you be to buy a massive vehicle without anywhere ( in his opinion) to safely park it?! I can’t stand Hummers, they’re petrol guzzlers and based on military vehicles...so I expect their owners drive around pretending to be soldiers...which is sad.🤣

BenoneBeauty · 27/10/2020 20:03

Completely agree Op - YANBU to say no for all the reasons given, but if you feel bad & like you need an excuse for saying no, go with insurance reasons, not being liable for any damage and not wanting your house to attract burglars because of the car on the drive.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 27/10/2020 20:03

Oh my gosh! Now you've said it's a Hummer I wouldn't even contemplate it.

  1. I think people who drive Hummers already feel they own the road so you wouldn't want them to assume they own your drive, access rights, hose pipe etc too.
  2. You would be constantly having to explain to people that the ugly great thing parked in your drive is not yours, (it's probably why he doesn't want it his.)
  3. I'm not an eco warrior but I can't think of a worse vehicle to buy in this day and age.
BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 27/10/2020 20:07

I've just Googled Hummers and I'm wondering whether he has bought an old second-hand one or plans to buy one of the new ones which I think are coming out this year or next year. The new ones are electric, in which case that would be a 'hell no' to parking on your drive and presumably plugging into your electricity.

NomNomNominativeDeterminism · 27/10/2020 20:09

‘No I don’t want to do this.’
‘But [reasons why you should].’
‘No I don’t want your car on my drive.’
‘But [reasons why it won’t at all be a bother] [and I’ll pay you] [and my insurance will cover any damage to it or your drive].’
‘No I don’t want your car on my drive.’
‘But why not?’
‘I just don’t want to.’
‘But what am I going to do?’
‘Congratulations on your new car. Do not park it on my drive.’
‘Why are you being so unneighbourly? I’d help anyone out, me.’
‘Stop asking now Mervin. I don’t want your car on my drive.’
‘But maybe just now and again?’
‘No. Do not park on my drive.’

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 27/10/2020 20:10

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar

I've just Googled Hummers and I'm wondering whether he has bought an old second-hand one or plans to buy one of the new ones which I think are coming out this year or next year. The new ones are electric, in which case that would be a 'hell no' to parking on your drive and presumably plugging into your electricity.
I googled too and he did say it was new so I’m assuming one of the updated ones.
OP posts:
TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 27/10/2020 20:13

Oops didn't know you could get electric ones. Blush
Still ugly great things though, and anyway you don't want one leaking toxic fumes from the batteries all over your drive.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 27/10/2020 20:15

Perhaps he just meant new to him. Apparently they weren't made at all between 2010 and 2020 so it's either very old and surprisingly cheap (I saw quite a few online for less than £15K) in which case just park the old banger on the street. Or it's brand new, immensely expensive and electric, in which case he should be charging the over-priced beast on his own drive with his own electricity.

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 27/10/2020 20:17

Or it's brand new, immensely expensive and electric, in which case he should be charging the over-priced beast on his own drive with his own electricity.

I’d assume it’s brand new as he doesn’t want to park it on the road. If it was just an old banger I don’t see why he’d care. He currently parks his old car on the road.

Which incidentally he said he’s also keeping. Not sure why 2 adults need 3 cars?

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 27/10/2020 20:19

YADDNBU.

If he hasn't got space for a tank, why did he buy one? Odd behaviour. And asking to park it in your drive is really cheeky.

BumblePan · 27/10/2020 20:19

You did the right thing. Dont open that can of worms! Have you seen all the parking threads on here where advantage is taken?
Sorry if I have missed it, but did you refuse first and then he asked your dh?

AnneElliott · 27/10/2020 20:22

Agree with everyone else - don't do it! He'll forget you're doing him the favour before long.

It's your drive that you bought with the house. As a one off then yes but not a long term thing.

Original poster
Sexnotgender · 27/10/2020 20:22

@BumblePan

You did the right thing. Dont open that can of worms! Have you seen all the parking threads on here where advantage is taken? Sorry if I have missed it, but did you refuse first and then he asked your dh?
No I’ve never spoken to him really. He spoke to my husband to said he wasn’t sure.

Husband asked me later and I said a flat no. Don’t think DH has spoken to the guy since.

OP posts:
SheSaidHummingbird · 27/10/2020 20:25

What happens when his car is damaged (anyhow) when it is parked in your drive? Where will the neighbour place blame? Who is liable? No, no and no. You have no reason to feel guilty for declining.

Watermelon999 · 27/10/2020 20:28

So word when people who you don’t know well or aren’t on massively friendly terms with suddenly ask you massive favours!

A mum acquaintance that I’d never really spoken to, and only ever nodded hello to in vague recognition (and she often ignored me!) once texted me to ask me to give her dc to a club (our older dcs went as well) each week!

Watermelon999 · 27/10/2020 20:28

#weird

Shizzlestix · 27/10/2020 20:30

Lord no, idiot buying a Hummer without a barn in which to park it! Plus, you don’t want him acquiring the right to have access/parking. A friend allowed the neighbour to park his caravan in his yard and now can’t get rid of it.

NomNomNominativeDeterminism · 27/10/2020 20:31

Ok - the KGB wants to install a surveillance vehicle in the street and has decided the best way to do it is in plain sight. Your neighbour is putting this request in up and down the street, so that everyone goes ‘huh! It’s just the stupid Hummer! It’s a right eyesore but at least it’s not on my drive, the cheeky git!’

CovidNightmare · 27/10/2020 20:32

Not unreasonable for him to ask and not unreasonable for you to say no.

islockdownoveryet · 27/10/2020 20:33

It's quite cf that he thinks his new car is soo precious.
He can tell his wife to park on road .
I got a new car my dh parks on road but I wouldn't ask a neighbour if I could use their drive . A colleague does that annoying thing of parking in between 2 spaces because his new car is too precious and he doesn't want anyone to risk scratching it unfortunately we can't all do that .

Bargebill19 · 27/10/2020 20:34

Give him the name and number of the local
Caravan storage place.

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