Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to let neighbours use parking space for dumping ground?

69 replies

mmmflakycrust81 · 05/09/2022 10:08

Neighbours from a street over are having work done and come round to knock to ask if they could use our parking space for dumping ground for building materials while they have an extension built.

We dont use the space as we dont drive, but I am worried about it taking longer than the two weeks they have said it would be needed for, and setting a precedent that it can be used because we do not have a car.

The space is behind our house backing onto the garden. I am worried about rubble, dust, rats and noise as well as constantly being overlooked by builders.

DH says we should let them as we arent using it and consider charging them a fee.

OP posts:
PutinIsAWarCriminal · 05/09/2022 10:50

Its a big no.
If you're allowing the builders to use it for rubbish it could very well get damage by machines or skips. Repairs will be expensive.
The idea of allowing your neighbours to use it to park their own car is better, but have something in writing that details which car is parked and by which date they no longer have use, as well as who pays for any damage.

ihatethefuckingmuffin · 05/09/2022 10:51

They also have the other option of using their drive for the skip and park on the road.
Or making arrangements for the skip to be on the road if they don’t have a drive.

Also don’t know many builders who would be happy having to walk to another street several times a day to dump materials. Don’t know many bulding h&s officers who would be happy with this arrangement either.

SlowHandClap · 05/09/2022 10:53

Nope , building material even the rubbish attracts people to rummage through it and can easily be pinched
Who's insurance would cover that ?

Original poster
mmmflakycrust81 · 05/09/2022 10:55

Thanks all.

I am all for being neighbourly but I do not know these people at all, and they have obviously been watching to check we do not use the space which gives me the ick a bit! It just seems too risky and I think they need to cough up for a proper skip!

OP posts:
Wheredoestheblackfluffcomefrom · 05/09/2022 11:01

No. Just say no. We had a neighbor start a six week project in January, still not finished, building crap everywhere

mondaytosunday · 05/09/2022 11:06

I'd let them. I would say it's only a temporary arrangement and that you need it clear after X date. If they should then take advantage and start using it in the future be right round there asking them to remove whatever.
But really my dealings with neighbours is they are usually respectful and do not push it.

fatgirlslimmer · 05/09/2022 11:07

Nope don’t do it. My neighbour had building works and without permission their builders used my drive. When I came home I had a huge confrontation with the foreman. The mess they had made in a few hours was ridiculous I dread to think of the state of my drive had I allowed them to use it, they behaved like they were on a site.

It caused a bit of a rumble with my neighbours because the builder said I was making the job harder so it would take longer, neighbours were ok about it but the builder took liberties.

ihatethefuckingmuffin · 05/09/2022 11:11

mmmflakycrust81 · 05/09/2022 10:55

Thanks all.

I am all for being neighbourly but I do not know these people at all, and they have obviously been watching to check we do not use the space which gives me the ick a bit! It just seems too risky and I think they need to cough up for a proper skip!

Do you know anyone who drives? Encourage them and their car round more.

Shellingbynight · 05/09/2022 11:21

Unless you are friendly with them and know they won't take the piss, say no.

Once you have said yes you have no control over events - they could leave rubble there for weeks or months, and in future they may decide the 'yes' means they can use it whenever they want to, without asking again.

mansviewpoint · 05/09/2022 11:38

Don't let them use it for 'skip waste'. You can't charge them for storage, because all they or a nasty neighbour need to do is complain to the council and it's your cost to get it cleared up Let them put their car on it, or say that the tradespeople can park on it for a few weeks, but certainly don't allow rubbish to be stored there and definately do not charge them any fees because you then become completely liable, insurance / public indemnity etc... etc...

Novum · 05/09/2022 11:50

If they're proposing to put a skip into your space and fill it, that could be OK because they will only be renting it for a limited period. If it's just.a rubbish dump, I'd certainly say no.

Either way, if you don't want it used then absolutely say no. It would probably make sense to start using the space, if only to park bikes and/or put planters there or something.

bjrce · 05/09/2022 11:57

" I am all for being neighbourly but I do not know these people at all"

You don't even know the people?

They are CFs, do not let them use this space, that's unreal that they would have the audacity to even ask you, quite cunning actually as they've obviously been watching to see who they could ask.

You would be crazy to agree to this!

Capricapri · 05/09/2022 12:02

No.

Waste (even if not food ) attracts rats.

You will wake up one morning and find that everyone has dumped their crap into the skp, and onto the ground...so NO.
UNLESS you charge them a few hundred quid + deposit for it and that they remove all the waste.

SleeplessInEngland · 05/09/2022 12:04

Unanananana · 05/09/2022 10:16

There is only one answer....

No.

You don't need to apologise or explain.

It's so easy to sound tough and assertive on a forum, isn't it.

Capricapri · 05/09/2022 12:04

good point. NO, because your house insurance policy doesn't cover it...or the dead body that might be dumped there.Sorry, too much TV shows.

Meraas · 05/09/2022 12:08

Novum · 05/09/2022 11:50

If they're proposing to put a skip into your space and fill it, that could be OK because they will only be renting it for a limited period. If it's just.a rubbish dump, I'd certainly say no.

Either way, if you don't want it used then absolutely say no. It would probably make sense to start using the space, if only to park bikes and/or put planters there or something.

It’s not ok, though. Skips often damage concrete/paving. Who will pay to fix the damage?

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 05/09/2022 12:09

Are you living somewhere where parking is at a premium and you could rent out that space? You could tell these neighbours total strangers that you’re thinking of doing that

Meraas · 05/09/2022 12:09

SleeplessInEngland · 05/09/2022 12:04

It's so easy to sound tough and assertive on a forum, isn't it.

Show quote history

There’s no need to be tough, a polite no is enough.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 05/09/2022 12:10

You will wake up one morning and find that everyone has dumped their crap into the skp, and onto the ground...so NO.

I was coming on to say this. Where I live, if someone puts a pile of waste down somewhere, by next morning it has tripled with everyone else's old mattresses, discarded baby toys, carpets etc dumped under cover of darkness.

Unanananana · 05/09/2022 12:29

SleeplessInEngland · 05/09/2022 12:04

It's so easy to sound tough and assertive on a forum, isn't it.

Show quote history

I have no issue saying no in real life either. Its called boundaries.

OP don't owe their neighbours anything, nor are they obliged to allow the neighbours to use their property for an extended period. Why would the OP need to explain or apologise?

GnomeDePlume · 05/09/2022 12:29

Sounds like they have scouted round the neighbourhood looking for empty space. Possibly several people have been sounded out already and turned them down.

Unanananana · 05/09/2022 12:30

Meraas · 05/09/2022 12:09

There’s no need to be tough, a polite no is enough.

Show quote history

Exactly.

Bestcatmum · 05/09/2022 12:31

Say no becausae you just don'#t knw when it will be needed for people staying with you.

noclothesinbed · 05/09/2022 12:37

I'd just say no. I think it's a cheek to be honest.