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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want their car on my driveway?

395 replies

Parkingmoan1 · 16/07/2022 13:44

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.

OP posts:
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Original poster
Parkingmoan1 · 16/07/2022 20:06

My neighbours either side have their own driveway identical to mine which they use daily as they both drive, there's also a small car park round the back that belongs to some other flats further back off the road. There is a gated drive next to my flat which leads to some more flats at the back and the small parking area.

There is a sign on the gates which says no parking but that mustn't apply to the residents.

One of the other neighbours above me is a driving instructor and uses the small car park at the back of the flats so the CF's may well be entitled to park there too. They just choose my drive for convenience I think.

OP posts:
Diverseopinions · 16/07/2022 20:09

It's your drive and it goes with the flat. Sorry they don't like it, but they should have thought of that when they made a choice. You can do what you want with your drive, and already have adopted a few uses for the area.

You just need to say: 'Hi. I see you're using my drive, but actually, it isn't shared, it goes with my place. I chose this set up because I liked the idea of this space for my stuff, sitting out and drying washing, and other things.'
HIM: "Blah, blah, blah ".

YOU: " Yes, it's a bit confusing, but there it is, and I guess you'll have to find somewhere else to park, or take it up with the agent who misrepresented the situation to you."

HIM: " Twaddle, twaddle".

YOU: " I don't want to rent it out. I have my own uses for it, which I've established. To me it's like my granny having apples in her garden, and leaving them for the birds, and the neighbour jumping over the fence to pick them, because they like making apple turnovers. Please look for somewhere else, and don't park here after Friday".

.

Lineala · 16/07/2022 20:35

itsgettingweird · 16/07/2022 20:02

If it's private rent than I'd ask landlord about getting a bollard put up that needs a key to lower.

You can always stay your reason why and offer to get it fitted and leave it for the next tenants.

But also the landlord will want them to stop before they make a claim because they've always parked there.

And what sort of claim would that be? Must be one I missed at law school 😂

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 16/07/2022 20:58

Diverseopinions · 16/07/2022 20:09

It's your drive and it goes with the flat. Sorry they don't like it, but they should have thought of that when they made a choice. You can do what you want with your drive, and already have adopted a few uses for the area.

You just need to say: 'Hi. I see you're using my drive, but actually, it isn't shared, it goes with my place. I chose this set up because I liked the idea of this space for my stuff, sitting out and drying washing, and other things.'
HIM: "Blah, blah, blah ".

YOU: " Yes, it's a bit confusing, but there it is, and I guess you'll have to find somewhere else to park, or take it up with the agent who misrepresented the situation to you."

HIM: " Twaddle, twaddle".

YOU: " I don't want to rent it out. I have my own uses for it, which I've established. To me it's like my granny having apples in her garden, and leaving them for the birds, and the neighbour jumping over the fence to pick them, because they like making apple turnovers. Please look for somewhere else, and don't park here after Friday".

.

Way Way too wordy and reasonable I'd have switched off .

OP you don't need to explain or try and reason.
He will either not listen , or he'll find a way to ride roughshod

I have neighbours who are CMs
I know the cars of the mindees parents . They park over drives , not just mine .
99% I know they're only there for a minute or two , so I wait , either to leave or get on my drive and give them a nod as they go back to the car
Except one who chose to park over my drive blocking me , instead of the CM
I told her not to , she rolled her eyes and tutted .
She was regulary 15-20 minutes , not bloody on .

My NDN had a word too , I had a couple more and she ceased .
She saw no wrong with it , even though she could easily park and walk 10 steps .

His ease of parking if it impacts does not trump you .
As I say , 99% are fine and just picking up their kids, live and let live

ifIwerenotanandroid · 16/07/2022 21:03

thereisonlyoneofme · 16/07/2022 13:53

Didnt we have a similar thread a while ago ?

There's lot of little old CFs in the world.

However, this could well be down to a misunderstanding. Good luck, OP, many of us struggle with confrontations & conflict.

Lalliella · 16/07/2022 21:21

Glitterspy · 16/07/2022 17:37

Please don’t presume people can’t speak English just because you haven’t heard them doing so.

Please don’t presume it’s only neurodiverse people who find confrontation and difficult conversations unappealing.

Please just talk to your neighbours and ask them nicely whether they were aware it’s actually your space before you run to your landlord or property manager.

@Glitterspy theres something very wrong with your logic. OP never said that only people who are neurodiverse find confrontation difficult. That would be like OP saying she sunburns because she’s ginger, it doesn’t follow that shes saying non-gingers don’t sunburn.

Definitely better for your landlord to sort it, you don’t want to be getting into arguments with strangers. Good luck OP.

winterchills · 16/07/2022 21:41

It sounds like they haven't really realised that they can't park there! Almost as if it's just a shared drive and you don't use it? Bit of an awkward one!

Watchthesunrise · 16/07/2022 21:55

I'd ask for £20 a week or something if they want to use it? May as well make some income off of it.

dollyblack · 16/07/2022 22:17

Lineala · 16/07/2022 20:35

And what sort of claim would that be? Must be one I missed at law school 😂

Show quote history

Informal right of way access can become binding if it goes on for long enough.

Barney60 · 16/07/2022 22:24

Do you have a friend who owns a car , ask friend to park on your drive when neighbours cars not there, they will probably knock and ask you to move the car if they think the parking space is theirs, then you can say sorry its my drive and youd like them not to park on it any more. Get some big plant pots and plant them up across the entrance, then enjoy your outdoor space.

Lineala · 16/07/2022 22:28

dollyblack · 16/07/2022 22:17

Informal right of way access can become binding if it goes on for long enough.

Show quote history

Parking a car on someone's property is totally different to acquiring a prescribed right of passage which takes 10 years or 12 in certain circumstances. And does not apply to a car parking in your space on property you own. Probably because it isn't 'passing over' your land.

Save the law for the lawyers or do your research before you post this stuff, please. It is misleading people reading who might believe you.

Inklingpot · 16/07/2022 23:01

dollyblack · 16/07/2022 22:17

Informal right of way access can become binding if it goes on for long enough.

Show quote history

Absolute bollocks. At least do some basic research before posting.

Alwayswonderedwhy · 16/07/2022 23:05

You need to tell them. Also I'd put some large planters out there to stop it being possible to park. It's your outside space! Don't let them take the piss.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 16/07/2022 23:15

They might not have realised, or they might be utter CFs. Something does need to be said though, either by you or your landlord.

allboysherebutme · 16/07/2022 23:32

I don't see why you just don't tell them it's your driveway and you want to put plants out there, they may assume it's a shared drive.

Thepossibility · 17/07/2022 00:15

As soon as they go out in the car, put planters and washing in the driveway. They might just be using it because it looks free. Hopefully they already know it's yours and will just park elsewhere when they see you are using your drive. If they knock it gives you an opportunity to tell them it's yours and they can speak to their landlord if there's any doubt. That would be less awkward than just approaching them and bringing it up out of the blue.

Original poster
Parkingmoan1 · 17/07/2022 14:17

No sign of their car today so they're either out for the day or the message has been passed on, we will see.

I've done two loads of washing ready to put out, yippee!

OP posts:
8misskitty8 · 17/07/2022 15:12

Get that washing out straight away OP !

boopleflouff · 17/07/2022 15:18

It's a good day for drying!

Freeme31 · 17/07/2022 15:40

Good luck OP

Tessabelle74 · 17/07/2022 17:26

Tell them it's not theirs to use, if you don't they will continue to do so

Thinking2022 · 17/07/2022 17:28

you need to share the title deeds to
explain the position and that you do not want them using your driveway as you have visitors at short notice and use the space

capostrophe · 17/07/2022 17:29

Has anyone suggested putting a note under their wipers?

TrixieMixie · 17/07/2022 17:32

They might not know it’s your drive. In fact, is it definitely for your sole use? I own the freehold to a small block of mansion flats with a communal garden and have had several occupants on the ground floor wrongly assuming it’s theirs.

Oscarsdaddy · 17/07/2022 17:41

If you own the drive then it’s up to you and only you who parks there

tell them that you are willing to rent it to them, if it’s London then off road parking is at a premium. Tell them it’s £100 a week and I’d imagine they’d soon stop

cheeky feckers