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.

I've just spoken to my landlord again who said the project manager is happy to help but can't if we don't know what number flat they're in.

There's only 4 flats up there so it shouldn't be too difficult to work out who it is but there we are.

Landlord suggested a note left on the windshield so I'm going to do that now.

Note is under their window wiper:

"Hi, please use the allocated parking round the back. This driveway is private property and needs to be kept clear from now onwards. Thanks (my door number)"

Great idea! Fingers crossed that sorts it for you!

Surely the project manager can put a letter through each flat if there are only 4?

What a pain they've parked there again. Type a note addressed to all the flats and tape copies with duck tape to all windows of the vehicle:

I"m @Parkingmoan1 and am the tenant of the ground floor flat. Recently RegNo has been using my private parking space, which is also access to my home, to park this vehicle. My LL has contacted the building management to make them aware they cannot use this space.

Do you have any DIY skills or friends that do? Neighbour's of mine have been making outdoor seats and furniture using pallets, which you can usually get for free. Someone with basic skills might be able to make you barriers with wheels on.
They paint them using the outdoor paint for sheds etc. Borrow a paddling pool temporarily and leave it filled up with water.

Hope you get it sorted out!

I had an argument with my neighbour over this issue once as her daughter parked in my empty car parking space without permission. I don't think I would have minded if she had asked permission.

Her mum was super rude and aggressive to me.

It's just the rudeness of feeling entitled to park in someone else's space without asking permission that peeved me off.

Totally agree.
I’d give them the benefit of the doubt & give them an opportunity to park elsewhere.

Good on you. They may have genuinely thought the space was for anyone but they will have known when they took the property that it didn’t come with a parking space so why they thought this was theirs for the taking i don’t know apart form them feeling entitled to park there as no one else was at that time.
Let us know how you get on x

I've just spoken to my landlord again who said the project manager is happy to help but can't if we don't know what number flat they're in.

What a cop out!

Hopefully your note works Op.

I'm sure the property manager will know which tenant has a wife and small child if you describe them.

Invest in a cemented post then they can’t do it. But of course you must tell them, they probably presume it’s for the whole block.

Can you errect a small fence border around it and use it as a bit of a garden for yourself?

Ooh good luck, keep us updated!

I hope you get it sorted @Parkingmoan1 , what a pain

That is a dreadful response from the police.

This sounds like a nightmare OP, I've just read the thread and was hoping, from previous posts, that it was sorted until the car appeared again! I hope your note works.

It’s not really a cop out when the property manager is getting a third hand report. Far too easy for things to be misunderstood if there isn’t something very clear to distinguish who he needs to speak with.

op could try talking to the property manager directly - if that isn’t too scary for her.

What about some of these OP - not sure how wide your drive is though
www.argos.co.uk/product/7201596?clickPR=plp:1:16

It’s not really a cop out when the property manager is getting a third hand report. Far too easy for things to be misunderstood if there isn’t something very clear to distinguish who he needs to speak with.

Surely all he needs to do though is remind his 3(?) upstairs tenants that all of their parking is at the back of the building?

I do know what you mean though when stuff is passed from x to y to z & Op might well be better served by speaking to him directly.

Maybe her note on the vehicle will have the desired result!

Speak to them.

I hope that note under their windscreen works.

However, they sound like cheeky fuckers - not checking if they can park there - he'll just scrunch it up and chuck it on the driveway!!

Can you not just politely ask them not to park there OP when they drive up?

You need to stand your ground - pun not intended - here OP.

See it as a training in self-assertiveness. Your kids will learn from it too.
You can't just let yourself be walked all over in life.

Car and accompanying note has gone. I half expected a knock on the door to discuss it but nope nothing. Hopefully it stays gone now 😀

Great. Get your washing out, chairs and paddling pool NOW OP
You have to stamp your ownership of it quickly

It would really help if for a couple of weeks, you have something you can put outside in the space and leave there….will act as a reminder that the space is t available to them. When they return and spot an empty space, it clearly feels very tempting to them. Can you leave some deck chairs, or your bins or just something in the middle of the space. If you left your bins there, you could attack a note saying ‘Parking space belongs to Flat X’ in large letters.

Hopefully your notes will do the trick. If they park there again, leave another saying ‘Managing Agent will be getting involved if this car is found in this private parking space again. Photos have been taken’. And make sure you do take some photos.