Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A parking one...

404 replies

mrsflanders23 · 24/02/2023 17:22

So I live in a street of mainly terraces. I'm one of few houses that has a drive (I'm an end terrace). There is green space across the road though with no houses so there is generally enough parking for everyone iykwim.

I don't use the drive a lot recently, I have quite a big car and the drive is narrow so I find it more effort to park up there sometimes (a bit of laziness on my part). If I can park on the road I will. I used to have a smaller car and used the drive a lot more.

I guess people on the street have noticed that I'm not using the drive as much and I've had a spate of people parking across my drive... I've not said anything so far as I don't want to fall out with anyone but there have been occasions where I haven't been able to get a parking space near my house and then haven't been able to park up my drive as it's been parked over. I've then had to park further up the street... but hey ho.

Issue is- I'm heavily pregnant, baby due in a matter of weeks. The people parking over my drive thing has started to annoy me a little recently as I'm thinking with a baby I will more than likely want to use my drive if I can park at the front of my house.

I've had various complications and this week I've been at hospital nearly every day. Feeling a bit flustered and stressed. Approached my house in car to see neighbour park 3/4 of way over my drive. No drama, space at front of my house I suppose.

As I got out of my car said neighbour approached me, and told me, didn't ask, but told me, that they now have two cars and would be parking "like this from now on" (gesturing to the way his car was parked over my drive). And that "you know where we are if you want us to move".

I was in such a stress and fluster that I just said "okay" and hurried into my house.

Thing is, I don't want to have to go and knock on doors and ask people to move when I have a newborn baby. I want to be able to use my drive, or not use my drive, or do whatever I like with my drive, which is one of the reasons I bought the house.

If I choose, or choose not to use it, surely that is my choice?

AIBU?

Would I be unreasonable to go speak to neighbour and tell them no?

Oh and I've never parked at the front of this neighbours house or anything like that so it's no kind of weird retaliation from them. I either park in front of my house if available, or across the road where there are no houses.

OP posts:
Original poster
mrsflanders23 · 02/03/2023 12:55

GooglyEyeballs · 02/03/2023 12:48

I think yabvu to park on the road when you have a drive. Very unreasonable. If you can't park your car buy a smaller one that you can. I've never understood why people buy cars they can't operate. (Yes operating includes being able to park it on a drive)

Your neighbours ABVU to block your driveway.

So you're all in the wrong! 😂

Wow you sound like a nice person.

The drive is a narrow channel between two buildings just over 2m wide.

I had no choice but to buy a bigger car as I'm having another child which was not planned when I moved here! I can't predict the future.

I know how to drive!

There is plenty of room on the road.

OP posts:
londonrach · 02/03/2023 12:55

Park on your drive. You being selfish to not too if you have one

Original poster
mrsflanders23 · 02/03/2023 12:58

londonrach · 02/03/2023 12:55

Park on your drive. You being selfish to not too if you have one

Park here in this 2m wide space @londonrach when it's not even big enough to open car doors and I'm heavily pregnant?

RTFT.

A parking one...
OP posts:
cosmiccosmos · 02/03/2023 13:03

Thanks for the update @mrsflanders23, hope you're feeling ok. Ignore the posters who tell you just to park in your drive/buy a new car (really!!) and all the other stupid comments ignoring the fact your neighbour is 100% in the wrong and imo is harassing you.

Good luck with the baby Flowers

BillyNotQuiteNoMates · 02/03/2023 13:21

Hope you’re feeling better soon x
YANBU to expect to access your own property. I’m gobsmacked at how many people thing it’s ok to extend your property over your own driveway and then block others peoples access to theirs (neighbours, not you). People’s sense of entitlement never ceases to amaze me.
If you get nowhere, I’d actually go and have a little chat with your local community policing officer, they’re usually pretty good at dealing with things like this. Your neighbour is 100% in the wrong, and unless he’s actually changed the dropped kerb outside his own house, could find himself in breach of parking regulations by blocking that as well. Just saying 😉

AuntMarch · 02/03/2023 13:27

Don't get me wrong, he shouldn't be parking there, but either there's plenty for everyone, so it is fine for you to park on the street rather than your drive.. or there isn't.

Even though I think it is a bit off to complain about someone blocking a drive you don't use (unless you have to park further away... never mind who else does when you're on the street though??), YANBU simply because its a dropped kerb and he shouldn't be blocking it.

Original poster
mrsflanders23 · 02/03/2023 13:32

Thanks everyone. Hopefully I'll have a baby here soon and be feeling better!

@AuntMarch even though I'm not able to easily use the drive right now, I don't understand why it's "a bit off" to want access to my own property free? This could be for visitors to park on, deliveries, or just anything at all tbh... it's my access?

And there is enough space, I've explained it how many times. I live in a small regional town, not the middle of a city. I've explained there are occasion parking difficulties for example when there have been road works.

I was expecting some people to think I was unreasonable but not to this level of "you have a drive therefore you must park on it"... it's bizarre.

OP posts:
AuntMarch · 02/03/2023 14:00

I'll hold my hands up and admit I hadn't RTFT when I commented. Your neighbours response quite clearly seals the (already technically true) deal that YANBU.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 02/03/2023 14:09

mrsflanders23 · 02/03/2023 12:52

No change for everyone asking for an update, he's still parked there and tbh I'm too poorly to deal with it rn. Will deal when I've had the baby.

Have you called the council?

cabana1 · 02/03/2023 14:13

What a horrible bunch you lot are! OP you have the right to use your drive or not & no one should be blocking your access should you choose to use it. If you decide to park on the street that is no one else’s business & you need to tell your neighbour he must not park across your driveway. He sounds like a right CF.

Brontebythesea · 02/03/2023 14:16

I can’t believe that people are actually trying to make out like you’re the one in the wrong. Cars should not be parked over the entry to someone else’s drive - end of. Driveways should be kept clear for homeowners to use or not use. Those are basic manners. Sometimes neighbours may have - a one off like a party - and this should be cleared with the home owner. Also - Don’t park in your drive if you don’t want to. Ignore anyone who didn’t read your post properly who is telling you you’re being selfish. You’re breaking no law by safely parking on the road. YANBU - I’m shocked anyone thinks otherwise.

Imisssleep2 · 02/03/2023 15:08

Bottom line is it isnt illegal to block someones drive if the drive is empty, however if you are parked on your drive it is illegal to block you in. I personally would utilise the drive and as soon as they block it, call the police on 101, they will call the insuranced party and tell them to move it, or if they cant get hold of them they will tow it. Tell the police you dont know who it is or they will tell you to go ask, and that you need to get to medical appointment or something. They should get the message.

SinnerBoy · 02/03/2023 15:18

Imisssleep2 · Today 15:08

Bottom line is it isnt illegal to block someones drive if the drive is empty, however if you are parked on your drive it is illegal to block you in.

Sorry, but that's completely wrong.

TerribleInsomniac · 02/03/2023 15:26

Parking in front of a drop kerb is a parking contravention unless you have permission from the owner. That’s why your neighbour mentioned it.
Not that it sounds like he actually asked.
So technically as you said OK, you gave him permission.

So I’d write him a note and tell him you do not give him permission.
Just because you have a drive doesn’t mean you have to park there, but I suppose neighbours can get very peeved when there’s not a lot of space, they can’t park in front of the dropped kerb and you’re not even using the drive.

Id be peeved.
So I’d be considerate and use the drive.

DevantMaJardin · 02/03/2023 15:32

Brontebythesea · 02/03/2023 14:16

I can’t believe that people are actually trying to make out like you’re the one in the wrong. Cars should not be parked over the entry to someone else’s drive - end of. Driveways should be kept clear for homeowners to use or not use. Those are basic manners. Sometimes neighbours may have - a one off like a party - and this should be cleared with the home owner. Also - Don’t park in your drive if you don’t want to. Ignore anyone who didn’t read your post properly who is telling you you’re being selfish. You’re breaking no law by safely parking on the road. YANBU - I’m shocked anyone thinks otherwise.

I fully agree with this.

NiftyFiftyPlus · 02/03/2023 15:34

You are perfectly entitled to park on the road, might annoy the neighbours but tough. My neighbour never uses his drive as his car is too wide. As long as he doesn't block my drive there are no issues.

As you state, it is illegal to park across a dropped kerb and your neighbours need to abide by this. Contact police or Local Authority if they persist.

Do you think they are taking the piss because you are a single parent?

user1498572889 · 02/03/2023 15:36

When he parks across your drive phone the council and get him ticketed. He wont do it again. I had to do that and he stopped parking there.

TerribleInsomniac · 02/03/2023 15:36

Just read your updated thread.
As you’ve told neighbour he can’t block your drive, ie he doesn’t have your permission
If he’s still there
Either……ask again
Or……ask again and mention it’s a parking contravention
Or……( this is the horrid one…..) call the police

WinterDeWinter · 02/03/2023 15:37

Oh my god @mrsflanders23 you are not being unreasonable! Mumsnet has gone insane.

Go to the neighbour, say 'you caught me off guard the other day but sorry, I need access to the drive and so you can't park across it. I don't always use it because it's so narrow but when I can't get a space I will have to, especially with a new baby. Thanks for being understanding, we're lucky that there's always space over there aren't we <bright smile>.

If he tries to argue get in very very quickly with 'sorry mate, I'm 8 months pregnant and not going to argue the toss. No-one can park on a dropped kerb without permission so i'm afraid that's the end of it. Cheers, bye'.
And if he still goes on say 'well, you've used up your drive space for an extension so it's swings and roundabouts innit. Still, this is my drive so that's really all there is to it. Cheers, bye.'

Kittlbua · 02/03/2023 15:49

Yes, you should use your drive if you have one. But I do know what it's like if a parking space or drive is too narrow. I have a car port, shared with neighbours and if they park a little too far over or the person in the house opposite lets their car rear end hang off the end of the drive a bit or in winter when the snow plough dumps a load of snow exactly where I need to turn in, I actually cannot get my car into the car port safely without risking scraping it or a neighbour's car.
But whatever the rights and wrongs of not parking on your drive, no one has the right to block your drive by parking in front of it. I can't believe how many people on here are going on as if that's ok. It isn't.
You should go round to the neighbour and tell them that they are not to park over the entrance to your drive at any time.
And if you spot anyone else doing it I'd go out and ask them to move. Or leave a note on the car asking them not to do it.

Bluetrews25 · 02/03/2023 15:56

Just read all your posts, OP, and you have been getting a hard time on and off the thread!
Perhaps your Dad might like to call around. Maybe they only understand what menz say.
Hope everything goes ok for you.
What a pair of wallys.
Apart from anything else, being able to see your car from your house does not mean that someone isn't going to drive into it.

amonsteronthehill · 02/03/2023 16:00

You need to tell your neighbour that actually, it's not okay for her to block your drive, whether you're using it or not. And she needs to use one of the many available spaces on the road.

katenutzs · 02/03/2023 16:02

Attention seeking or what! I would hate to be your neighbour, park across your own drive if your so lazy and not take up parking area another neighbour needs

BishopRock · 02/03/2023 16:04

I see no problem in people parking across your drive since you don't use it.

I'd be a bit peeved if my neighbour parked on the road, never used her drive yet expected the space in front of her drive to remain free.

Fair enough, don't use your drive, but it's a bit much to expect people to keep the space in front of it clear.

It'd be especially annoying because you have such a big parking area as well that you don't use.

there have been occasions where I haven't been able to get a parking space near my house

But what's the problem here if, as you say, there's plenty of parking and no one ever has difficulty finding a space further up?

DragonsFurry · 02/03/2023 16:10

BitOutOfPractice · 24/02/2023 17:25

I can imagine it’s beyond irritating for people who are struggling to find a spot to see you parked on the road when you have a drive. I’d be irritated by that (though not enough to park across your drive). Just park on your drive from now on.

This. OP I’m sorry I think YABU. There is clearly an issue with parking in your road so just use your drive so everyone else can park too.

Swipe left for the next trending thread