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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:
BruceAndNosh · 31/05/2021 07:49

I rarely look at my tyres. I wouldn't notice if somone nicked my caps.
I'm more concerned that people park so far away from the kerb on such a narrow road

EastWestWhosBest · 31/05/2021 07:50

I understand why you are annoyed but removing the caps is going to achieve nothing.
They most likely won’t notice they are gone, even if they do they won’t know it was you or why.

Write on the windscreen in lipstick instead.

MaMaD1990 · 31/05/2021 07:52

I don't think people think you're unreasonable for being angry that you've been blocked in but they are saying you're unreasonable to flatten 2 of their tyres...why haven't you called 101 for advice on what to do? Can you not park across the drive to prevent being blocked in?

mamamalt · 31/05/2021 07:56

I forgot to add that yes I agree with the last few posters they are bang out of order to block you in.

Mrgrinch · 31/05/2021 07:56

@billy1966

OP, When I saw this happen near a school, the owner sat with their hand on their horn until the sheepish person returned.

Could you do this?

Really sticky stickers that you write Please do not park here on the windscreen are also very effective.

Very annoying.

What a stupid thing to suggest.

Why the hell should all of her neighbours have to listen to that?

Jent13c · 31/05/2021 07:57

I would have called the number they left straight away and made it very clear that wasn't an appropriate parking space. I honestly would never ever notice that the caps had been taken.

Can you contact the council about getting paint outside your driveway so people don't stop there? Have heard of people doing that outside of schools.

Guavafish · 31/05/2021 07:57

Get your neighbours telephone number so you can call them and ask them to move their friends car in not at home.

Taking the caps is petty

DappledThings · 31/05/2021 07:58

they are saying you're unreasonable to flatten 2 of their tyres
Which would be totally unreasonable but is not at all what OP has done.

Butchyrestingface · 31/05/2021 07:59

I have a bit of a short fuse (work in progress) and could see myself being tempted to scratch CUNT into the metalwork although I'd probably chicken out.

I'd balk at doing something which is, at best, totally pointless and wouldn't even be noticed by the driver, and, at worst, potentially dangerous and could cause a crash.

I'd replace the caps or put them on top of the car roof so driver can't miss them.

MaMaD1990 · 31/05/2021 08:02

@DappledThings

they are saying you're unreasonable to flatten 2 of their tyres Which would be totally unreasonable but is not at all what OP has done.
Is that not what happens when you remove them?? I always thought that's what happens! Whatever the point of removing them was, it's still unreasonable!
Tal45 · 31/05/2021 08:03

That is seriously annoying, what is wrong with people? Taking the caps isn't worth it though - either they'll realise it's you and you could be in trouble or they won't know it's you and it's pointless and won't stop them.
I agree with get some big really sticky stickers and write please don't park here as you are blocking my car in. Put one on every time someone parks there - much safer and more likely to be effective.

DappledThings · 31/05/2021 08:04

Is that not what happens when you remove them?? I always thought that's what happens! Whatever the point of removing them was, it's still unreasonable!
No, nothing happens. I've lost plenty over the years. No idea or where or when. It just makes it a pointless protest.

MaMaD1990 · 31/05/2021 08:06

@DappledThings

Is that not what happens when you remove them?? I always thought that's what happens! Whatever the point of removing them was, it's still unreasonable! No, nothing happens. I've lost plenty over the years. No idea or where or when. It just makes it a pointless protest.
Well, thank you for letting me know (always learn something new on MN!).
DoingItMyself · 31/05/2021 08:07

Letter through the door of flats in your building saying that if you see the entrance blocked you'll be phoning the police, and ask them to do the same.
Photos every time you see it.

Journeynotdestination · 31/05/2021 08:11

Get a traffic cone and place behind your car when you park there...

Squidthing · 31/05/2021 08:17

Just knock on your neighbour's door every time and get them to get the cars moved, they should be telling their guests not to park there (although it really should be obvious to anyone with half a brain).

KarmaStar · 31/05/2021 08:20

The op hasn't said the parking space is hers,just that when her car is in it visitors block her in which is thoughtless and annoying.

Tinkling · 31/05/2021 08:20

You said it’s several different cars so removing tyre valve caps on one of them (which they won’t even notice until they potentially have a serious accident and then will never consider someone maliciously did that because they blocked someone’s drive, and will instead think it’s children who don’t know any better) is really not going to help.

I strongly suggest you have large signs put up and every time someone blocks you in, you call them to ask them to move it. If there’s no sign, call the police. They’ll soon get the (correct) message.

schoolfinder007 · 31/05/2021 08:23

YANBU

CaptainMyCaptain · 31/05/2021 08:28

@HemanOrSheRa

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.
This. I lost mine many years ago, probably dropped them when pumping up the tyres. It had no effect.
KaptainKaveman · 31/05/2021 08:30

This thread is a salutory reminder of the Evils Of Cars.

Just walk, people. You know it makes sense. And hug eachother. That's all.

CeibaTree · 31/05/2021 08:31

I get that it's annoying, but if the people in the flat they are visiting have told them it's fine to park there, then it's not the car owners fault and you should probably put the tyre caps back on.

SadieCow · 31/05/2021 08:32

I have a bit of a short fuse (work in progress) and could see myself being tempted to scratch CUNT into the metalwork although I'd probably chicken out.

Bloody hell, that is work needed!!

Beach11 · 31/05/2021 08:34

Call the council to issue a parking ticket

Ickythefirebobby · 31/05/2021 08:35

@JackieakaBritney

Ok Huns! You constantly get blocked in by people that don't live at your address then and never get annoyed or pissed off. 🤣
You’re completely entitled to be pissed off. Who wouldn’t be. Don’t get snotty when people tell you that you’re in the wrong. Surely you can see that what you’ve done is not ok.