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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:
Greenshed · 05/02/2023 17:30

Apologies if this has already been suggested, as I’ve not read through the whole thread, but have you considered installing raised bollards at the end of the drive - the kind that you yourself can raise and lower, so that they wouldn’t be able to park there when you’ve raised them. No idea how much they cost to install, though.

Heavydirtysou1 · 05/02/2023 17:32

No not remotely petty, they are taking the piss and are completely unreasonable, so you are just asserting your right. Much better than simmering over it and ending up losing your rag with them!

RavenhairedRachel · 05/02/2023 17:42

Who do they think they are, do they own the street? Park on your drive they'll soon get the message or alternatively park on their drive to unload your shopping and tell them you'll only be a minute.

Thinking2022 · 05/02/2023 17:47

this is what I would do too!

SmudgeButt · 05/02/2023 17:47

So don't say anything the next time it happens. Park your car blocking your drive. Go inside. Open wine. "Oops!! Sorry I'll move my car tomorrow!!!"

Kaftanesque · 05/02/2023 17:50

Not BU.Park on your drive.We live at the end and a cup de sac and are lucky to have parking for both our cars on our drive.But I can't tell you how many times we have to wait to drive off or on to our own drive because a delivery van is blocking it because they can't be bothered to turn round and park up on the pavement not blocking any drive.They are always going to be 'just a few minutes ' but that's not the point.We have also had cars parked whilst they just 'pop in ' to neighbours.I did lose it the other day when a huge van blocked me in and the driver was rude when I told him I had an appointment to get to and please vould he move before he started unloading.

KateKateLee · 05/02/2023 17:55

Why don’t you start parking on their drive if they are using yours?

Ailsamary · 05/02/2023 18:00

You are not being petty at a

Mulhollandmagoo · 05/02/2023 18:25

Park on your drive, hopefully it will tell them what you want to tell them without them being dicks to you!! I hate people like your neighbours.

Sennelier1 · 05/02/2023 18:27

@Slobbet but that's not the point! Of course we all want to help out our elderly neighbours, but these are obviously not elderly and not in need of any help. They run a business (something with a lot of parcels) and can't be arsed to park in front of their own house 🤷🏼‍♀️ I would park in my own drive as will, or have a coded gate installed.

Clarabell77 · 05/02/2023 18:36

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!

Not very helpful comment.. OP has said she lives alone and the neighbours have shown themselves to be aggressive. Someone was killed near me by their neighbour over an ongoing argument about parking. Obviously that’s an extreme situation but you never know how people will react and she does have to live there.

AllyArty · 05/02/2023 18:45

They are suiting themselves totally, no consideration for you and your family and visitors. Park in your drive and just smile and give them a bit of a wave when u see them. Try not to fall out with them.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 05/02/2023 18:46

Clarabell77 · 05/02/2023 18:36

Not very helpful comment.. OP has said she lives alone and the neighbours have shown themselves to be aggressive. Someone was killed near me by their neighbour over an ongoing argument about parking. Obviously that’s an extreme situation but you never know how people will react and she does have to live there.

Show quote history

Exactly; I don't know how people keep missing that point.

I have a belligerant and aggressive neighbour, and even though he is in the wrong about our several disputes (such as his dogs defecating on my front garden) I grey rock him as much as possible. I live alone and don't need the confrontation.

After our most major altercation involving the dogs, I twice had my outdoor holiday lights snipped in the night. In the space of a week, two strands of lights ruined. Fortunately the police were willing to come out and make a big show of "investigating," I saw the asshole peering out his blinds and didn't have further problems. That was a year or two before Ring doorbells and cheap webcams became available. Now I have both and the dog defecating has stopped as well.

Justbefair · 05/02/2023 18:49

No-one should be using your drive apart from you. Can u pit up a sign 'no parking', bit lame I know but may make them think? X

juliettesmother · 05/02/2023 19:02

@Clarabell77 someone was KILLED? That's awful!

ReneBumsWombats · 05/02/2023 19:43

If you truly fear for your safety, that's one thing. It still doesn't make the act of parking on your driveway confrontational, petty, pathetic or anything else. It's just that you happen to live next to a total loon who also invests various things in it that don't belong there.

hiyaKen · 05/02/2023 19:55

By parking round the back, are you inconveniencing those residents? Perhaps you should just park on the drive all the time. It's a wasted space otherwise

Free up the other road for those not fortunate enough to have a drive and garage

NattyNatashia · 05/02/2023 20:11

You say you don't want confrontation but by changing what you do can be seen as passive aggressive and confrontational too. You are totally within your rights to ask, I always find better to be direct. Also why don't they use their own drive?

AmberMcAmber · 05/02/2023 20:28

Park on the drive and look for quotes to get it fenced/gated so they can’t… use the kids/pets as an excuse if you feel you need one

just do it, park on your drive and if they have the audacity to be annoyed with it tell them that you renewed your insurance and saw it was cheaper if the car was at the front so that’s what you’ll be doing from now on… again hopefully that won’t ignite them but if they are that confrontation prone then they’ll be looking to pick fights anywhere with anyone - good luck

ReneBumsWombats · 05/02/2023 20:31

NattyNatashia · 05/02/2023 20:11

You say you don't want confrontation but by changing what you do can be seen as passive aggressive and confrontational too. You are totally within your rights to ask, I always find better to be direct. Also why don't they use their own drive?

What could be more direct than parking on your own driveway? Why should you ever have to have a conversation with the neighbours to justify it?

NattyNatashia · 05/02/2023 20:53

ReneBumsWombats · 05/02/2023 20:31

What could be more direct than parking on your own driveway? Why should you ever have to have a conversation with the neighbours to justify it?

Show quote history

What could be be more direct - speaking them of course! What this approach says is I haven't got the bottle to say something directly so more likely to get the confrontation the OP says they don't want. Prompts the other to retaliate on and the whole thing escalates. JMO

ReneBumsWombats · 05/02/2023 20:59

NattyNatashia · 05/02/2023 20:53

What could be be more direct - speaking them of course! What this approach says is I haven't got the bottle to say something directly so more likely to get the confrontation the OP says they don't want. Prompts the other to retaliate on and the whole thing escalates. JMO

Show quote history

Why on earth do I need to have a conversation with my neighbour about parking on my driveway?

Wonnle · 05/02/2023 21:02

8 bloody pages on why someone should park on their own driveway !

NattyNatashia · 05/02/2023 21:04

ReneBumsWombats · 05/02/2023 20:59

Why on earth do I need to have a conversation with my neighbour about parking on my driveway?

Show quote history

You don't, you can just let them carry on if you prefer ...

ReneBumsWombats · 05/02/2023 21:06

NattyNatashia · 05/02/2023 21:04

You don't, you can just let them carry on if you prefer ...

Show quote history

And if you don't, you can just park on your drive. Why would you need to say anything to anyone about it?

This thread, I swear. And I thought the one where the woman was losing her shit at people who don't cut pizza her way was crazy...

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