Neighbours walking on our driveway

[Mumof3andlab]

Hello,

I will try to add a pic if it’s helpful. We are a semi detached end house, we have 3 parking spaces outside our house which is our driveway. Next door has a side path and massive drive to the SIDE of their house, they fit 4 cars on there.

however, they keep walking on our drive to cross to the neighbours opposite, or just stand and have a chat. For starters I think it’s just rude and secondly my dog is very territorial and it sets him off barking as he can see someone is there through the glass.

Previously we have told their friends/visitors it’s not their drive as they used to park on it! Now to stop that we park closer to their side of the house and leave our other side free (I get a lot of parcels, Asda van, my own visitors ect) we used to have 2 cars but only one at the moment. I’m sure if we have more cars they wouldn’t do it but just feel like they think we only have one so we don’t ‘need’ all that space.

I wondered if I could decorate the outside of our driveway with plants, or something else? To stop them crossing over or am I just being petty.

Loads of plants in pots along the border 2 or 3 deep if possible Thats what we did to stop our neighbours using our drive as their own 😡

While it's important to address the issue and find a resolution, it's generally best to approach it with open communication and neighbourly understanding. Instead of immediately assuming rudeness, it may be helpful to have a friendly conversation with your neighbours about the situation. They might not be aware that their actions are causing a disturbance or inconvenience for you.

The sort of person who is entitled enough to walk over someones driveway when they feel like it is hardly the sort of person that is likely to listen to reason. They clearly think that they have the right to access the other property as they wish.

Just get a border fence or grow a hedge.

I'm a great believer in boundary fences or hedges. Hedges are better, the right hedge is prettier, cheaper and easier to maintain.

Diagram would be good 👍

We need a drawing please.

I planted a pretty tree surrounded by pots where my neighbours used to do that. I think it's bizarre to stand on another neighbours property and chat with someone who doesn't live there, it's not a public space. I don't want to hear Dorean with her dog cackling on my property.

As much as I try and be the best neighbour I can, I feel boundaries are massively important even if you're the best of friends.
You need a fence or hedge on the boundary IMO

Talk to them. Be polite but clear and firm

Also, we need a diagram.

Diagram needed.
When we lived in the UK we had the teenage children next door using our lawn/ flowerbeds as a cut through so we installed a fence on our side of the boundary.

A short picket fence would be a good idea, on both sides.

Set up garden furniture on their lawn and when they question it say
"Oh... I thought we were sharing the space now?"

Long containers with plants would work but they need to be high enough that they don't just step over them.

Modern homes with open front gardens and drives are difficult. Plant pots along the boundary so it's clear.

its not the best design as our drive does go in front of her house a bit, but that drive is all ours, theirs is to the side of the picture.

Do the plans of their boundary go through your driveway OP?

I'd start doing pots, lavender and wildlife friendly plants. Even a big buddleia. If you get in conversation with them, just chat about wanting to do your bit for the pollinators.

Like this?
Is this the area where they stand?

Yes that is where they stand

Get a shotgun and practice "Get orf my land" every time they do it.

That's what I'd feel like doing, anyway. Which is why I'd never buy a house like that ...

Just park there.

Shocking design.

Christ thats asking for trouble - I can kind of see the issue, is the bit with bushes theirs? cos even if they put stepping stones their side it will still set your dog off

Park sideways across your three spaces.
TBH with that kind of set up you are likely to get people walking across it, it doesn't look like a private driveway

I'm not at all surprised they walk and stand there.

You either need to park there or cover with plants.

You might consider digging up that part of the driveway.