Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why does neighbour keep blocking driveway?

141 replies

time2tork · 02/01/2022 08:31

We bought a new house a year ago. It's along a road with a few other houses and driveways but a couple of houses have been made into 4 flats.

We made a driveway at the back of our house and turned what was parking at the front into a garden, installed gates on driveway..

Our gates aren't automatic, so we sometimes park in front of them blocking our own driveway if we can't be bothered to swing them open.

A neighbour parked there once, we came home and couldn't get in so asked him politely to move.

Same neighbour has parked there when we needed access to it, again asked to move.

Same neighbour parked there and I mentioned I'm pregnant and ambulance access to our property is essential as I'm high risk pregnancy...

Same neighbour, parked there again, we also have builders in and out, carrying heavy things and they need the use the driveway.

He's the only neighbour who does it, what is the mental reasoning for it?

He and his wife are really nice people and
I genuinely like my neighbours.. but what is with this? they are the only ones who keep doing this? We've only been nice to them.

We paid a lot of money for our house and the luxury of having our own parking. Lots of tourists come and park around our houses, not even they park in front of our driveway and block us in..

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 02/01/2022 08:33

Ask him

OakRowan · 02/01/2022 08:34

Maybe because he's used to being asked to move and thinks you're ok with keeping doing that, instead of asking him to stop and never park like that again. End it for him, otherwise he will continue.

TwoBlondes · 02/01/2022 08:35

Did you get the council to put in a dropped kerb?

PicsInRed · 02/01/2022 08:36

Do you have a dropped kerb at the back? Asking to get an idea if there's anything you can actually do about this.

OakRowan · 02/01/2022 08:36

And use your drive for what its for, instead of parking in front of the closed gates.

Original poster
time2tork · 02/01/2022 08:36

It's got to the point where I don't want to ask anymore. I don't want to come across as an old hag.

I genuinely just can't understand why he keeps doing it 😂

But ok, maybe he does think we are ok with it as long as he moves when asked!!

OP posts:
BlackberrySky · 02/01/2022 08:37

Probably because it suits him and you are being nice about it. Tell him to stop doing, don't ask him to move every time he does it.

GoodnightGrandma · 02/01/2022 08:37

Apply to have the white line painted in front of your dropped curb.

Original poster
time2tork · 02/01/2022 08:37

@TwoBlondes
Yes it's a dropped curb. It was always a driveway, just never used as one as precious owners used it as a terrace area instead.

We've just put it back to its original state and laid new tarmac, resin, gates etc

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 02/01/2022 08:38

Have you told him to fucking well stop doing it ?

FranklyMyBeer · 02/01/2022 08:38

So you made a new driveway into your property where there wasn't one before?

Perhaps he used to park there before?

Also, what about the dropped curb question?

LethargicActress · 02/01/2022 08:39

Did you get a proper dropped curb from the council and everything when you built your drive?

If you did, you shouldn’t be parking in front of the gates either, even if it is only your own driveway you’re blocking. If your neighbours are consistently parking across a dropped curb, start keeping a record and taking pictures, and report them to the council parking people.

Starland2 · 02/01/2022 08:39

You have to ask him to move it and tell him not to do it again. He will keep doing it if he thinks it’s ok. I have a constant problem with people blocking my drive. I am very firm with people I catch doing it. It’s beyond annoying but people are selfish dicks!

Mrsbclinton · 02/01/2022 08:39

If you have parked in front your closed front gates he may think you are ok with him doing the same?

OakRowan · 02/01/2022 08:40

Well you are ok with it, letting it happen, he parks there until you ask him to move and thats his solution, his nice neighbourly arrangement. Tell him direct and get your car on your drive, gates open, ready to go, if he sees you not using it he's not bothered either.

GoodnightGrandma · 02/01/2022 08:42

I believe it’s not an offence to park across a dropped curb, it’s only an offence if the owner can’t get in/out. But I’m happy to be corrected.
My DM had a problem with neighbours mounting the pavement at her dropped curb, then driving along to their house. Police came out but weren’t interested, had a very ‘live and let live’ attitude.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 02/01/2022 08:43

If your cars not in the driveway at the time I don't think there's much you can do, I think the police recommend getting in touch with your local council if you've asked the person and they keep doing it. If your car is in the driveway then you can call the police re ASBO if its happening regularly.

Sweetmotherofallthatisholyabov · 02/01/2022 08:44

Don't mention the ambulance because that's a red herring. But tell him to stop- he doesn't need a reason.

Original poster
time2tork · 02/01/2022 08:44

@GoodnightGrandma @FranklyMyBeer @TwoBlondes @PicsInRed @LethargicActress

Yes there has been a dropped curb for a long time, it was always a driveway but previous owners didn't use it as one - they used the front for parking and back for a terrace.

We've just put it back to its original state. A garden at the front and driveway at the back. With a huge privacy hedge so no one can see in!

it's very clear it's a driveway.

No one else parks there, no other neighbours, no tourists and we get lots!

Just this one guy. Lol

OP posts:
Original poster
time2tork · 02/01/2022 08:47

@OakRowan

Good point. Maybe that's what it is!

OP posts:
PriamFarrl · 02/01/2022 08:47

@GoodnightGrandma

I believe it’s not an offence to park across a dropped curb, it’s only an offence if the owner can’t get in/out. But I’m happy to be corrected. My DM had a problem with neighbours mounting the pavement at her dropped curb, then driving along to their house. Police came out but weren’t interested, had a very ‘live and let live’ attitude.
I believe it’s only an offence if you can’t yet your car out.

As for your DM getting the police out for other people using her dropped kerb, why is that an issue?

LawnFever · 02/01/2022 08:47

@GoodnightGrandma

I believe it’s not an offence to park across a dropped curb, it’s only an offence if the owner can’t get in/out. But I’m happy to be corrected. My DM had a problem with neighbours mounting the pavement at her dropped curb, then driving along to their house. Police came out but weren’t interested, had a very ‘live and let live’ attitude.
If someone parks across a dropped curb then by default the owner can’t get on to the drive if they’re not already using it, if they are using it they’re blocked in.
Homewardboundtouk · 02/01/2022 08:48

Put a sign on your gate ‘access needed at all times’ or ‘do not block this driveway’

Nix2020 · 02/01/2022 08:56

In the grand scheme of things does it matter? If your not using the space as a drive way because you've built a new one, what's the issue. If you've got builders in ok ask him to move. I honestly don't see the issue of parking spaces. Of you need to walk further to your home then walk.

BakedTattie · 02/01/2022 08:56

Use these words

“Please do not park infront of our driveway again.”

Or

“Stop parking infront of my driveway you cheeky fucker”

Be direct.