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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Been asked to park my car further away from my house to be more convenient for person's guests

105 replies

ParkingFeud · 07/10/2022 09:01

We rent a terraced house on a green with no parking. There is space outside our house for one car and the other has to go somewhere on the green. Someone on the other side with a drive has just asked me not to park my car near their house as it is inconvenient for their guests and work men. They wanted me to park it on a separate street further away from where we live. Was I being unreasonable to tell them quite sharply that I would love to be able to afford a house with a drive but there's a housing crisis and I can't. So my car can be parked anywhere legally that I fancy. I don't understand people who think they own the road outside their houses.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 07/10/2022 09:27

If it was a one off because they're having some work done or have a guest with limited mobility I'd probably help them out, but they're taking the mick if it's a permanent request.

Poppins2016 · 07/10/2022 09:28

I do hope that the time is coming when people don't choose a combination of living, working and other commitments that is only feasible to manage with one car per adult though. Such a waste, and I am sure the green would be a much nover environment for everyone of the number of cars would halve.

I don't think most people do actively choose this.

I would love to choose to work from home most of the time, much better for the environment (and my sanity) however my employer only supports doing so occasionally.

I'd love to choose to live closer to the office (or work closer to home), however I need a combination of a good wage and an affordable home and many people (including me) can only find those a distance away from each other.

I'm currently looking at a new job that could involve a choice between using the train and using the car to get there. The train is double the expense and I can't afford to lose that money even though it's the better option for the environment (plus I'd enjoy reading a book vs sitting in traffic jams).

Winederlust · 07/10/2022 09:30

VintageVest · 07/10/2022 09:05

Id be inclined to move my car to allow access for workmen. Depends how long the work would last.

I would certainly consider that if I was asked politely just before the workmen were due to arrive. No way would I move on the off-chance they might have an unspecified workman or guest at some unspecified time. That's just CFery.

Galaktoboureko · 07/10/2022 09:30

Unless a one off for the workmen then no way. Although I do also appreciate it's oddly annoying when you see the same car right outside your window every day, which is just one of those things really.

spuddy56 · 07/10/2022 09:36

StopFeckingFaffing · 07/10/2022 09:12

Agree with @ChilliBandit

Was the request specific to that day because work being done or were they suggesting that you should never park outside their house?

Huge difference and your response was OTT if it was the former but if the latter they are clearly CFs

Not specific to the day, I have actually moved it before when they have asked for the day. This was a general do not park there...

Was probably more upset than sharp. I was frustrated and definitely sounded emotional. The house/drive thing is a sore point and I probably could have been more measured.

CheezePleeze · 07/10/2022 09:39

Was I being unreasonable to tell them quite sharply that I would love to be able to afford a house with a drive but there's a housing crisis and I can't.

Yes, that was a bit of cringeworthy overkill.

I would've just said no and that I can legally park where I like.

Moranguinho · 07/10/2022 10:02

Londongent · 07/10/2022 09:05

Is this a joke?

Doormat.

RainbowsMoonbeams · 07/10/2022 10:04

There is always one neighbour who thinks they own the whole road - looks like you found yours. YANBU.

mam0918 · 07/10/2022 10:08

If they have a drive how are you parking on the road outside their house? surely that would block their drive.

I live in a terrace and the few that have drive clearly have no room to park outside without completely blocking access.

Saffy1999 · 07/10/2022 10:12

ParkingFeud · 07/10/2022 09:01

We rent a terraced house on a green with no parking. There is space outside our house for one car and the other has to go somewhere on the green. Someone on the other side with a drive has just asked me not to park my car near their house as it is inconvenient for their guests and work men. They wanted me to park it on a separate street further away from where we live. Was I being unreasonable to tell them quite sharply that I would love to be able to afford a house with a drive but there's a housing crisis and I can't. So my car can be parked anywhere legally that I fancy. I don't understand people who think they own the road outside their houses.

How rude!

NotJustAnybody · 07/10/2022 10:16

You definitely are being unreasonable - for not providing a diagram. Those are the rules!

custardbear · 07/10/2022 10:16

Tell them to park their own car miles away so their guests and workmen can park on their driveway

I'd also tell them in no uncertain terms that they're cf's

Londongent · 07/10/2022 10:18

custardbear · 07/10/2022 10:16

Tell them to park their own car miles away so their guests and workmen can park on their driveway

I'd also tell them in no uncertain terms that they're cf's

Nailed it.

Goldbar · 07/10/2022 10:19

Why can't they park in the spot they've recommended to you and then their guests and workmen can use their drive?

paintitallover · 07/10/2022 10:19

You were wrong to be sharp. It's nothing to be proud of.

DWMoosmum · 07/10/2022 10:26

Park on their drive when they're out. It's not illegal, it would be a civil matter.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 07/10/2022 10:40

If it's for their guests and their workmen, suggest that THEY park somewhere else! Bloody cheek!

lannistunut · 07/10/2022 10:41

I wouldn't be sharp, I would ignore requests related to 'visitors' but if there was nowhere else for tradespeople nearby I would leave it free/move it for that.

I think it is pretty much always unreasonable to be 'sharp' with neighbours tbh. You can say the same thing with a big warm smile (and usually that annoys people even more!)

JenniferBarkley · 07/10/2022 10:50

I'm slightly confused. Which car is it they want you to move?

If it's the one outside your house, then they can kindly fuck off.

If it's the second car on the green, what's the rest of the space like? If there's plenty of room but you always park in the same place, meaning their options have been restricted, then I think it would be decent to park in different spots each day just so that you're not inconveniencing the same house all the time (although you are of course perfectly within your rights to do so). If it's busy and there aren't really any other options then we're back to them kindly fucking off.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 07/10/2022 10:51

Perfect response, hit just the right note!

KettrickenSmiled · 07/10/2022 10:52

MoggyP · 07/10/2022 09:03

I think you were wrong to be sharp.

And of course you would not want to inconvenience the same person all the time, so I hope you do park in a variety of other places reasonable convenient to you. Neighbourliness and all that

Why should OP - whp actually lives there - be inconvenienced to suit somebody else's visitors @MoggyP?

SmallPrawnEnergy · 07/10/2022 10:52

Ponderingwindow · 07/10/2022 09:08

Just remember that if you park a car outside their house, you may find that the spot outside your own house is where they end up parking instead.

She’s not parking outside the neighbours house though, she’s parking outside her own house across the road from this CF neighbour. Don’t people read properly anymore? Or do people just enjoy making up their own interpretation of the OP to make snarky little comments?

Emotionalsupportviper · 07/10/2022 10:54

MoggyP · 07/10/2022 09:03

I think you were wrong to be sharp.

And of course you would not want to inconvenience the same person all the time, so I hope you do park in a variety of other places reasonable convenient to you. Neighbourliness and all that

Why was she wrong to be sharp?

It's a public road with no parking restrictions - she has every right to park there.

lannistunut · 07/10/2022 10:55

@Emotionalsupportviper Being sharp just sours the atmosphere further, and to what end? No point annoying the neighbours.

I prefer to deliver my most stubborn replies with a warm tone and cheery smile.

starfishmummy · 07/10/2022 11:03

Ask to see their deeds that show they own that part if the road.....