To not want their car on my driveway?

[Parkingmoan1]

I live in a city in a ground floor flat, no garden but I have a driveway that comes with my flat.

I don't have a car so this Is why I don't know if I'm being unreasonable..

My doorway / driveway gets alot of direct sun so I like to dry my washing out there on racks when the weather is nice. I also like to sit out there on a chair with a cold drink and a book sometimes.

A few months ago a family moved into the flat above me and have taken to parking their big people carrier on my drive. They didn't ask my permission, just assumed they were entitled to because I don't have a car.

My frustration is when their car is there I can't put my washing out, it also blocks alot of the sun. They park it diagonally aswell which is a PITA for me getting my pram in and out.

They are out there at the minute cleaning and hoovering the car about 3ft away from my doorstep so I can't sit out and enjoy the sun / a bit of peace and quiet.

AIBU to be unhappy about them using my drive in this way? The poll results will determine what, if anything, I say to them.

@Bekstar I don't suppose you have a link to the type of barrier you had do you? I've been looking online for something cheap and temporary and the closest thing I've found to what may work is this (pic attached) but it's far too small I would need about 15 of them to fence the area off.

Charge them rent to park there.

My washing has been out all day (purposefully!) and still no sign of the car, or neighbours come to think of it.

Usually they're in and out pottering about in the car but I haven't seen them at all.

I would love the area fenced off but landlord thinks it may not be allowed within the planning permission, a temporary one might be OK though so long as it's movable? I'll try and find out. I have been looking online but I don't want to spend alot and I can't find anything big enough

What about one of those lockable posts? It’s permanent but can be laid down in to the ground to look invisible when unlocked. Probably be expensive tho

If they have the sass to park there watch they don't start sitting down there in the sun just like you.

@Lalliella, thank you 💐

@Glitterspy To use your phraseology, please don’t presume that neurodiverse individuals merely find difficult conversations “unappealing”. Part of the diagnostic criteria is impairment with social communication. Its way, way beyond being simply “unappealing” - communication difficulties can cause significant challenges for many who are neurodiverse. It’s not the same thing at all as a neurotypical person who just doesn’t fancy a conversation. Your comment is ignorant and insulting and just highlights how little some people still understand invisible disabilities.

But leaving that aside, as Lalliella said, OP never claimed that it’s a breeze for anyone else. She was just explaining why this is particularly hard for her.

OP, I’m so glad you’re getting ideas and support from this thread, and that your landlord is being helpful. Fingers crossed this sorts it for you.

No and Yes.

Unrelated to this thread but your username makes me smile every time I see it @Nanny0gg 😊😊

There has been many occasions I've come outside to sit down only to find them standing about near their car, chatting for half an hour at a time within arms reach of my front door. All well and good when my front door isn't open and they don't have a direct view into my living room, but a nuisance when I want to come outside for a breather myself or have the door open.

The catalyst to me posting and raising it yesterday was another occurrence of the above. I came outside to get some air and let some into the flat and they were literally 3ft from my doorstep, deep cleaning the cars interior, hoovering etc. Their (very sweet admittedly) little one was out there with them milling about. It was pretty awkward and I ended up going back inside as I felt like I was intruding on THEM 😐

I do have sympathy for them being in an upstairs flat with no outdoor space as it's shit when you have kids but as PP's have noted that space is included in my rent which isn't all that cheap.

I would remind them it’s your space and ask them to stop parking there. YANBU. I can’t believe they would just go ahead and park without asking, that’s so rude. Can you get one of those parking bollards that lock in place and prevent people parking; I would be tempted to go straight for that if it’s an option and avoid the confrontation.

So sorry, voted YABU by mistake. Wanted to own up in case you thought neighbours were on here and rumbled your thread🤦‍♀️🤣 YADNBU!

Thanks. Me too!

Put a table and chair set out there and make the front your own private garden. You can put in large heavy pots around the boundary and some temporary fencing or sublet the parking space out on Parkopedia type websites and ask them if they need to park there they need to book the space through the website.

personally I have seen this sort of thing before. When I was viewing a first floor flat, one of 4 in the block. At first glance there appeared to be 4 spaces but on closer inspection only 3 marked bays. The particulars didn’t mention a parking space. After checking I was told that the particular flat I was looking at didn’t have a parking space and all the parking spaces belonged to one ground floor flat. It was quite a walk to park up and then walk to the flat as there were double yellow lines everywhere.

I think people assume things without checking.

No doubt victim blaming is your strong point, sit with that for a bit! YABU and an asshat!

Check ebay for used crowd control barriers

They're not very attractive but fairly cheap, you can put bamboo garden screening in front and also useful for keeping your children off the road

Ask your landlord for a rent reduction as you are paying for the drive but unable to use it. I expect they will decide fencing is acceptable after that conversation ..

If it’s legally your driveway, then no, you’re not being unreasonable! They have no right to park there and must be made to stop ! If the situation gets nasty you may need to get a solicitor or the police involved. It’s not their driveway - FULL STOP !

I think YAabitBU to be unhappy with them given you haven’t even let them know it’s not available for their use. And YABVU to use the Landlord as a first port of call instead of just bloody speaking to them. Potentially this could have been sorted months ago if you’d approached them about it the first time they did it. Or at least put a note on the car if you couldn’t speak.

Pretty much no one likes these sorts of conversations, you just have to get on one them as best you can anyway instead of making a small conversation into a big deal that multiple people have to be involved in.

Hi I would knock on their door smile and just say hi could you find another spot to park your car as I usually my drive for my washing and I sit out on it. Sorry I have left it so long as I wasn’t sure how to tell you. Do you know where they can park if so tell them. If you get nowhere I would put it all in writing and pop a letter in their letter box then when they leave the house in the car you put out your washing and leave it out and put out a table and chair so you can read they will soon understand. Even get friends and family round to have a get together have a barbecue and put some plants and whatever else it takes to make them understand that you want your space back. If there’s something on the drive they cannot get on it. If that fails find a small car even if it’s second hand one and plonk it on your drive tell them your learning to drive and need the space for your car. Also explain your struggling to get into the house with your shopping and your park Let us know how you get on. If anything fails get a solicitors letter that should do the trick. Good luck.

Smacks of victim blaming. OP has already said that only the unfriendly man seems to speak English. Personally, I'd say that you YABU not the OP.

How about a picnic bench (as long as you are in an area where you don't think it would be taken?

I spoke too soon, the bloody car is back again albeit a little further back from my doorstep but parked diagonally again to maximise inconvenience 😑

So sorry, voted YABU by mistake. Wanted to own up in case you thought neighbours were on here and rumbled your thread

You can change your vote.

Looks like a follow up call to the landlord is needed!