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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To park on my drive out of pettiness?

227 replies

BadClown · 03/02/2023 21:51

Next door neighbour has recently started getting large amounts of parcels delivered. They have their own drive, and there’s loads of on street parking, but they’ve started parking on my drive to unload their van. I don’t usually park on my drive during the day, but it’s really bugging me that they haven’t asked, and keep parking on my drive, blocking my garage, without asking for permission. Last week I tried to pull onto the drive after the school run and they were there unloading the van. They smiled and said they’d only be a few more minutes, and then got back to work. It was obvious I wasn’t pleased, but I was blocking the road so had to drive around the block and by the time I returned they’d gone again. I’m not comfortable with confrontation, so I’ve started parking on my own drive, literally just to block them from doing it. Am I just being petty? Should I let them park there since I don’t really need to use it during the day?

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 03/02/2023 21:53

I never understand threads like these.

Why have you not spoken to them to tell them to use their own drive, they don't have permission to use yours?

Hullabalooza · 03/02/2023 21:53

I’d be parking on the drive without a second thought. Not okay for them to do that.

SquashesPumpkinsAutumnBliss · 03/02/2023 21:55

Why don’t you park on your own drive normally?

SweetSakura · 03/02/2023 21:57

Yabu for not parking on your drive normally

DDivaStar · 03/02/2023 22:01

And you at home during the day ? Why do you not park on your drive ?

Original poster
BadClown · 03/02/2023 22:01

Sorry I should have said, theres loads of on street parking at the back of my house, so it’s easier to park on the street and come in the back door. The front is a one way street so it’s easier to park at the back during the day and I park on my drive at night because it’s safer (and makes my insurance cheaper if I’m on the drive!)
I haven’t said anything because they’re quite difficult people and I don’t want to cause an issue when I live by myself and they can be quite aggressive. they know I’m not happy, they’ve seen me when i was trying to park there and they were on it. Im hoping that parking on my drive will make the point for me, without me having to speak to them which will inevitably cause an argument, which I don’t want

OP posts:
Wisterical · 03/02/2023 22:02

Asking someone not to do something is not 'confrontation'. Of course you can park on your own drive, or you could just talk to your neighbour.

PuppyMonkey · 03/02/2023 22:03

Yes OP of course it’s unreasonable to park on your own drive as your neighbours might need to park there. Wtf at you thinking?

What parcels are they getting? Do they ask you to accept them while they’re out?

Original poster
BadClown · 03/02/2023 22:04

@Wisterical i think they would react aggressively if I did approach them. I’ve seen them shouting at people in the street when they blocked neighbours drives

OP posts:
StarbucksSmarterSister · 03/02/2023 22:04

I’m not comfortable with confrontation,

They know it and are taking advantage. Stick up for yourself or they will walk all over you.

SquashesPumpkinsAutumnBliss · 03/02/2023 22:04

if they do this again, and say they are going to be a few more minutes, which then means you waste those minutes circling in your car, is it possible for you to park across your drive, blocking them in. Then when they want to move their vehicle, they have to inconvenience themselves?

Badger1970 · 03/02/2023 22:05

Are they running a business from their home if they're getting lots of deliveries?

Report them to the council.

LimeCheesecake · 03/02/2023 22:05

Park in the drive through the day for a couple of months until they get used to the idea you use it so they can’t.

SquashesPumpkinsAutumnBliss · 03/02/2023 22:05

Just say “ I am just parking my car here, for a few minutes as need to unload my car from my drive!”

ZiriForEver · 03/02/2023 22:07

It is your drive so you can park there for any reason you wish.

AliceOlive · 03/02/2023 22:12

It’s shocking to me that anyone would argue with you about being on your property when they are unwelcome. But it’s happened to me, so I know what you mean.

There is nothing petty about asserting your property rights though.

Original poster
BadClown · 03/02/2023 22:18

I know I’m allowed to park there, my question is if it’s being petty if I choose to? I don’t usually use the drive during the day, and only want to because they’re using it without my permission?

OP posts:
CatOnTheChair · 03/02/2023 22:19

Is it your neighbour's parking on the drive? Or random delivery drivers?

But, yes, park on your drive and try to force people into making a better solution.

figmaofmyimagination · 03/02/2023 22:22

Make it make sense

milkyaqua · 03/02/2023 22:27

Well, if it's a choice of perhaps seeming or feeling "petty" or being shouted at if you speak up, I choose parking on the drive. Actions speak louder than words.

Alwayswonderedwhy · 03/02/2023 22:31

So they park on your drive, unload and then carry the delivery round to their own house? Why??

hryllilegur · 03/02/2023 22:35

Get a gate or one of those bollards you can fold down and then they won’t be able to get on the drive at all.

Ifulikepinacoladas · 03/02/2023 22:37

BadClown · 03/02/2023 22:18

I know I’m allowed to park there, my question is if it’s being petty if I choose to? I don’t usually use the drive during the day, and only want to because they’re using it without my permission?

Who cares if it's petty? Why do you care if its petty? It's your property. If it will make you feel better, just park there .....its literally your land.

Aquamarine1029 · 03/02/2023 22:39

I’m not comfortable with confrontation

Yet you're comfortable with being a complete and utter doormat? FFS, stand up for yourself!

Slobbet · 03/02/2023 22:40

BadClown · 03/02/2023 21:51

Next door neighbour has recently started getting large amounts of parcels delivered. They have their own drive, and there’s loads of on street parking, but they’ve started parking on my drive to unload their van. I don’t usually park on my drive during the day, but it’s really bugging me that they haven’t asked, and keep parking on my drive, blocking my garage, without asking for permission. Last week I tried to pull onto the drive after the school run and they were there unloading the van. They smiled and said they’d only be a few more minutes, and then got back to work. It was obvious I wasn’t pleased, but I was blocking the road so had to drive around the block and by the time I returned they’d gone again. I’m not comfortable with confrontation, so I’ve started parking on my own drive, literally just to block them from doing it. Am I just being petty? Should I let them park there since I don’t really need to use it during the day?

It’s so strange, this wouldn’t bother me at all and I’d want my elderly neighbours to do this if it was of help.