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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu for removing tyre caps (PARKING THREAD!)

364 replies

JackieakaBritney · 30/05/2021 23:53

Background, live in converted 3 flat house for 6 years odd, we are attic flat.

Been here since 2015, bought car 2017, previous neighbour had a defunct car on drive which he moved when he moved out late 2017

Since then I've parked my car on drive at least overnights, during day (pre Covid) was parked at my work, insurance detailed the same.

However since beginning of 2020 we have had two different neighbours move in on the middle floor flat and ground floor flat. Neither of the houses moved in with an existing car

Since the two flats have moved in, there has been an constant influx of visitors (particularly during lockdown) but also pretty much every weekend and these visitors decide to block me in, over a dropped curb. It's not the
Same car each time, it's a rotation of 4 or 5 different ones?

I ignored it to the best of my ability during lockdown as we weren't supposed to really go anywhere but then why is ok for them to block my car in?

Then when restrictions eased my husband put a note on one of the cars saying "illegal to park on dropped curb/driveway. Park somewhere else." This was ignored
The next time a car blocked me in by a visitors there was a note saying.

"If I've blocked you in call...."

Tonight I've come home and I'm blocked in again. Tbh I've kinda lost my rag and taken off two of the tyre aircaps. Aibu??

I am sick to death of worrying about asking neighbours To move their visitors cars during the last year especially when I might need it in an emergency etc and they have been asked for their friends/visotors not block me in previously?

OP posts:
Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 30/05/2021 23:57

Photo of example how they park. This is usually between 7-8pm up to 12-1pm the next day!

Aibu for removing tyre caps (PARKING THREAD!)
OP posts:
korawick12345 · 31/05/2021 00:00

Is it your driveway or is it shared between the flats?

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:02

Oops!

OP posts:
TastybitofSquirrel · 31/05/2021 00:05

YABU. It's illegal, it's annoying but what if your actions cause an accident if they drive off & their tyres deflate during the journey. Or you need to get out in an emergency but now can't because it's not as simple as asking someone to move because they can't because of two flat tyres?

Who's driveway is it? Shared or only yours?

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:05

Ahh I am trying to attach a photo of how they block me in but on app so not working.

It's not specified but there is only space for one car on driveway and it's 1000% not anyone's car blocking me in who lives in the other two flats. It's visitors/friends which I believe isn't allowed especially when there is other spaces available on the street parking. It's a dropped curb that's being blocked constantly

OP posts:
mybrainhertz · 31/05/2021 00:05

So you're compromising their tyre's safety by removing the caps?

Wow, you do realise this could cause a serious accident?

bitheby · 31/05/2021 00:07

YABU. I don't think removing the caps will do anything to the tyres but presumably you think they might and your risk the lives of the drivers and innocent road users for that?

Much better to have a conversation with them and explain the problem.

By the way it's Mumsnet law to provide a diagram on a parking thread.

mybrainhertz · 31/05/2021 00:09

Removing the caps can affect the tyre pressure which in turn can lead to an accident.

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:09

Well should I just put up with them blocking me in constantly then? Even when I've asked for whoever it is not too/spoken to all neighbours??

I live here, they don't?

OP posts:
HemanOrSheRa · 31/05/2021 00:10

I don't think removing the dust caps will do anything Confused. There is a valve inside you need to press in to inflate/deflate tyres.

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:14

Ahh photo here

Aibu for removing tyre caps (PARKING THREAD!)
OP posts:
mybrainhertz · 31/05/2021 00:16

www.whichcar.com.au/car-advice/why-do-i-need-valve-caps

Yes, they are important.

mybrainhertz · 31/05/2021 00:19

Anybody want to do 70-80mph on the motorway with a partially flat tyre?

Anyone?

Babygotblueyes · 31/05/2021 00:20

Have you spoken to the people in the other flats? I would be doing that, rather than leaving notes on the cars.

Bananaman123 · 31/05/2021 00:20

Caps just keep dirt off the valve so you can inflate with no issues. It would take a long time for any significant air loss. Make up stickers instead, the ones hard to get off, might discourage them

mybrainhertz · 31/05/2021 00:21

Possibly causing a fatal accident over a petty parking gripe.

What are you going to do about the caps you've removed OP?

korawick12345 · 31/05/2021 00:23

Maybe your neighbours are hacked off about the fact that you have assumed you can have sole use of the driveway despite the fact it is a shared amenity. Unless your lease specifically says that the drive is for use only by occupiers and no other no parties you might find that they are resentful of the fact their guests have nowhere to park as you are hogging the driveway

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:25

Yes I have spoken to them multiple times, it's a mix between both flats when they have friends over but there have been quite a few occasions they have blocked me in parking in front of my car and not been in, so I have not been able to get out of the driveway.

As stated, if it was neighbours who lived here's cars I wouldn't mind, but it's visitors or friends if theirs and they just cba to actually park legally.

If it was just a couple of hours I wouldn't mind so much, but it's often 7-8pm till 1-2pm the next day!

OP posts:
mybrainhertz · 31/05/2021 00:25

www.oponeo.co.uk/blog/valve-stems-the-role-of-tyre-valve-caps

They don't just keep the dirt off!

I can't believe people think interfering with someone's car tyres is actually okay.

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:26

Ok Huns! You constantly get blocked in by people that don't live at your address then and never get annoyed or pissed off. 🤣

OP posts:
ThursdayWeld · 31/05/2021 00:28

@JackieakaBritney

Well should I just put up with them blocking me in constantly then? Even when I've asked for whoever it is not too/spoken to all neighbours??

I live here, they don't?

Ah, here we go. An AIBU where the OP clearly thinks they aren't, and just wants people to agree with them.

OP, why have you taken the tyre caps off? ie, do you think it will do some kind of damage? And, if you do, are you happy to live with what might happen as a result?

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:29

@korawick12345 so it's a shared amenity for
People that don't live at the address? Ok hunny?? Jesus. Can you not see the photo and the fact they are parked in the literal road blocking me In on a DROPPED KERB??

Fine tho I just let strangers never let me out in an emergency or go to work or shopping. Cool cool

OP posts:
korawick12345 · 31/05/2021 00:29

I think they are pissed off with you assuming that the drive is for your sole use and have therefore told their mates not to worry about blocking you in!

mybrainhertz · 31/05/2021 00:30

Fgs can't you see that what you have done is potentially dangerous? Are you out of your mind?

Original poster
JackieakaBritney · 31/05/2021 00:31

@ThursdayWeld

What would you do then? After repeatedly requesting people who don't live at your address to not block you in?

OP posts: