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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:
speakout · 31/05/2021 05:55

You lost me at "curb".

CoffeeCakey · 31/05/2021 05:58

I get it, they shouldn't park there but YABU for potentially killing someone for it.

CoffeeCakey · 31/05/2021 05:59

What if they drive off and kill an innocent bystander?

I hope the police get you for criminal damage

Winkywonkydonkey · 31/05/2021 06:05

The first note was weird, why not make it more friendly? They probably now do it in purpose to wind you up and it's worked!

Embracingthechaos · 31/05/2021 06:07

@speakout

You lost me at "curb".
Curb your enthusiasm Grin
Winkywonkydonkey · 31/05/2021 06:14

So presumably if you're out, the neighbours have the right to park on the driveway (including their guests)? I can understand whey they're probably a bit annoyed at you taking ownership of it and are now doing this to wind you up. I actually think you are the one at fault here for assuming that just because you have used the driveway in the past you get the right to be the sole user now.

Bananarice · 31/05/2021 06:26

Have them towed. Don't steal stuff from other people's car. If you are kind then you would send them a warning about the intention of calling the council (or police according to some posters) to remove their car randomly if they don't stop blocking you in.

Don't steal and put back the tyer valves.

PurpleRainDancer · 31/05/2021 06:28

@mybrainhertz

Possibly causing a fatal accident over a petty parking gripe.

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

Shame on you OP.
Butterbeers · 31/05/2021 06:33

Yes, be peed off that you are blocked in constantly but letting air out of tyres?! You’re insane, what if they lose control and hit another innocent driver? Give your head a wobble.

pe3k · 31/05/2021 06:43

Sorry if this has already been asked but what happens if you return home and someone has parked over the driveway. Do you ask them to move their car or do you just park on the road?

Onceuponatime1818 · 31/05/2021 06:43

They are in the wrong, they shouldn’t block you in or park across a driveway.

You are totally in the wrong taking a key part off their car, if they crash and die/kill someone you could be charged with manslaughter.

MyOtherProfile · 31/05/2021 06:48

I appreciate it must be really annoying but please tell me you have put the caps back on. It's not annoying to the level of wanting to cause a serious accident.

HerMammy · 31/05/2021 06:49

Dust caps being removed do not deflate a tyre 🙄

CovidCorvid · 31/05/2021 06:52

I’ve been missing a dust cap for a year and it’s made no difference to the tyre pressure. 🤷‍♀️

Voomster953 · 31/05/2021 06:55

I drove for ages with no valve caps because they cracked and fell off. Nothing happened. They’re tiny bits of plastic with next to no tensile strength.

HintofVintagePink · 31/05/2021 06:57

Is the driveway demised to your flat specifically as a parking space? You don’t mention your lease being varied after flat owner who used to park on the drive moved out, so just wondering whether all three leases have a right to park on a first come, first served basis?

Slightly off the point I know….

annie335 · 31/05/2021 07:01

Caps just keep the dirt out op. You need to push on the metal pin to deflate the tyre.
I'd be pissed off too if that kept happening. How about a greasy fried egg sandwich smeared across the screen? 😁

MiaRoma · 31/05/2021 07:01

[quote JackieakaBritney]@ThursdayWeld

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

I'd ring the police and ask what my best course of action is, after making sure I have proof that I've asked them to move their car in the past.

In an emergency you are compromised which is not right

But removing the tyre dust caps is pathetic

Billandben444 · 31/05/2021 07:02

You've pissed off the neighbours by presuming the shared drive is yours as they have as much right to use it for visitors but can't because your car is always there. Have you ever come home to find a car on the driveway or are they a bit intimidated by you ('don't park on the drive cos we've got an entitled neighbour who'll kick off'). I think you either give up parking on the drive and use the street (but NOT across the driveway - very PA and childish!) or get used to being blocked in sometimes. It's called living with neighbours and they probably think you're not a very easy person to share a house with either.

rhombuspocahontas · 31/05/2021 07:05

Apologies, not RTFT but contact your local authority about a single yellow line.
Get yourself on eBay and order a sign along the lines of - do not block this entrance, access required at all times.
Can you talk to your neighbours about removing the wall to create another parking space?

pickledpumpkins · 31/05/2021 07:06

Goodness me the dramatics over removing dust covers Grin I understand why you're annoyed, your neighbours are BU. If they have an issue with constant use of the shared driveway then they should come and speak to you rather than park you in. I would probably put the dust covers back though as they'll have no idea they're missing.

PurpleFlower1983 · 31/05/2021 07:06

I would just park on the street sometimes. Could you try and come to compromise with your neighbours? Set days for parking on the drive shared equally? Or one in 3 weeks use with the agreement that no one blocks anyone in.

SpinachAndMushroom · 31/05/2021 07:10

Hilarious that so many people seem to think a tiny and easily removed tyre air cap is going to mean that if it’s removed your tyres are going to deflate on a motorway and cause a fatal accident. They’re not going to deflate, I’ve read dumb things on this site but this takes first prize for dumb herd belief.

LadyPenelope68 · 31/05/2021 07:11

Sounds like they’re probably pissed off that you think you have the right to the only off road parking space just because you’ve lived there longest. It doesn’t work like that you do realise? Are you always so self centred?

Looks like a difficult area to park in anyway, I don’t get the issue if they’re leaving their number to call if you need to get out. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.

Faevern · 31/05/2021 07:16

I get that it agitates you but why don't you just park across the bottom of your drive instead of on it, then you can't get blocked in?

Will they even notice their caps are gone, surely you have to flatten the tyre for them to notice? All a bit pointless really.

Removing the caps wont let the air out of the tyre. If dust and debris get in they may lose pressure but it wouldn't be quick. The driver should check their tyre pressure regularly as tyres naturally lose pressure as we drive.

Your photo looks as though the street is busy and other people are parked over dropped curbs too. Do they regularly leave a note on with a number to call?

I have to say someone blocking my car in really pisses me off even if it's just for minutes. If it was every day I would be paying someone to move their car. I knew someone who did this to a neighbour and every night that he blocked them in they would move his car, he stopped after about a week, the police weren't interested as the car was never far away.