Aibu for removing tyre caps (PARKING THREAD!)

[JackieakaBritney]

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?

Do you actually need to go out?

Those who are saying to constantly ring on the bell when it happens

Why? To pointlessly inconvenience someone who isn't inconveniencing you? Unless you need to get out I can't see why you'd make a hostile move like that and in any case it'll be "boy cried wolf" because when you actually do need to ring the bell and ask them to move they'll just think it's that mad cow from next door pretending she needs to move her car again and ignore you.

@JackieakaBritney

No one else is using the frigging driveway! Is it that hard to understand? I have had my car parked here for 4 years!! No one else in the building owns a car!

If someone else owned a car here I would compromise! But they don't and just block me in every fucking day regardless. If I came home from being out and someone was on parked in the drive then i would park on the street in a space like a normal person. Instead I have to ask permission everytime I want to leave my own property in the car and I am tired of it.

It's not on and tbh you lot know it.

Bloody hell, calm down. Judging by the time you were posting these I'm guessing you were pissed .

You asked our opinion so we're giving it to you. We're not the ones blocking you in so how about you stop with the attitude towards MNers?

Yes, it's very annoying that you're getting blocked in. I'd be angry too. But you specifically asked if YABU to remove their tyre caps. You've been told you are. So chill out and perhaps come up with a more logical, practical solution?!

I think your attitude is why they block you in - and I'm someone with a major attitude!!!!

@HerMammy

I’m assuming the majority on this thread never check their tyre pressure or they’d know dust caps do not keep the air in?? Quite worrying the comments of causing an accident, criminal damage etc and in such self righteous attitudes which are completely wrong.

It can ruin your tyres if you get crap in them now, generally I think removing anything from someone's car is shitty.

They left a note saying call x if you need to get out, that's fair enough I think. What if both neighbours had a car there all the time? They might be constantly using the space, you could then do the same and park in front if there isn't anywhere else to park.

@BungleandGeorge

How often does your car move off the driveway? Have have you ever actually got these people to move so that you can get out (at which point presumably they can park on the driveway and take your space). If you hardly ever use the car and you’re blocking the shared space I don’t think they are totally unreasonable to park blocking you in and leave a note with their number. If you use the car daily then it’s different because they have some chance of using the space and they are actually inconveniencing you

Of course they're totally unreasonable. Firstly, because it's against the law, and secondly because if OP has to get out in an emergency it's potentially dangerous.

You could also park somewhere else all of the time anyway so it doesn't run the risk of happening, it is a shared space, if they have visitors they can use it.

@KaptainKaveman

I don't understand the multiple references to 'Huns' - what is a 'Hun'? I know it was a derogatory term used to describe the Nazis in WW2 ( like calling them The Bosch in WW1) but are we saying the OP is actually a nazi?

OP is confused and thinks they're on netmums.

There's a lot of calling each other "hun" over there. As in "honey" as an affectionate term. Now often derogatory.

I’m sure you can have cars towed if they’re blocking your driveway. Just ring to have them towed.

Also put a no parking over the drive sign up!

Removing the dust caps is a bit meh. They likely won’t even notice until they need to do their pressure.

I would instead smear some honey on the driver side handle. Nobody like sticky hands.

@Smudge77

There's some aggressive response's on here, and people keep saying call the police, as if they have the time and man power to solve a parking issue everytime. They deal with "crime" not civil matters. There's wrong on both sides on this situation.

Why do you imagine traffic police exist if it's not to deal with enforcing the traffic laws?

@JackieakaBritney

Ahh photo here

report it, and get it towed

@EastWestWhosBest there are actually a lot of people on this thread who are saying just that.

Normally the absolute sanctity of the dropped kerb reigns supreme on MN.

Taking the little plastic things is a dick move, yes. But so is parking like a bellend.

@korawick12345

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

if there is 1 space, surely its for the people that pay rent for it first, and if not that, then surely its whoever gets there first!

@HaveringWavering

If it's not 100% for your sole use then the neighbours might well be doing it on purpose as a passive aggressive move to you....in the same way you're now doing back to them.

But why would neighbours have grounds to complain about OP using it if it’s empty when she arrives home?

They might like to use it themselves sometimes? You know....as is their right if it's a shared driveway.

@NoProblem123

Why don’t you park where they are parking ? Problem solved.

Because it's unlawful?

We occasionally block each other in, leave notes on the cars and move in request, as long as they move it on request I don't see the problem, parking can be hard in cities

So your inconvenience justifies you putting them and other users in mortal danger?

Don't be silly, @Joeblack066. Nothing that OP has done puts anyone in mortal danger.

Removing the tyre caps is pointless. That won't cause the tires to deflate, if that's what you think will happen!

It’s a first come first served situation. Presumably if it’s empty when visitors arrive, they just park on it. OP can’t predict when they might want to use it.
If the neighbours are bothered by the situation, surely they should speak to OP rather than getting their mates to constantly block her in.

They might like to use it themselves sometimes? You know....as is their right if it's a shared driveway.

It's daft not to use it if it's empty on the off chance that your neighbours who don't have cars might want it. If they do, surely the sensible thing is to have a conversation with OP about how they have visitors coming who need somewhere to park near the house, rather than to get the visitors to block her in?

So your inconvenience justifies you putting them and other users in mortal danger?

She took off the dust caps, she didn't cut the brakes.

🤦🏻‍♀️

They might like to use it themselves sometimes? You know....as is their right if it's a shared driveway.

@ChubbyMsSunshine which they can, if it’s empty when they arrive home! If it’s in use, it’s in use. First come first served. You’re not suggesting that someone arriving home parks their car on the street just on the off chance that their neighbour fancies using the drive? Do you also avoid taking the last space in a car park in case someone else might want it?

Why don’t you park where they are parking ?
Problem solved.

Because it's unlawful?

Only if there is a car on the drive which is prevented from leaving.

Its totally not acceptable to park across someone's driveway but tbh you sound completely mad and I would bet they find it entertaining.

The neighbours are being totally unreasonable to keep telling visitors to park over the dropped kerb.

The OP is not being unreasonable to use the drive if it is free when she arrives home (unless it is actually allocated to another flat)

The OP is being completely unreasonable to have removed the dust caps.

Removing the dust caps will not cause an accident.