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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parking on neighbours' empty drive

135 replies

Vinntet · 19/08/2023 18:39

I hope not a TAAT, but DP's car is currently parked on our next door neighbours' driveway without their permission and I'm worried this might have us known as as being CFers!

We share almost an access drive which goes across the front of both our actual drives and we've had a skip delivered to ours this morning. I stupidly told them to put it on the side for easiest access to the backgarden, which is also where DP's electric car needs to be parked to be reach the charger which is on that side of the house!

It just won't reach from 'my' side of the drive, but will from the empty spot on NDN's drive, who we think have gone on holiday (not been around since Weds). We'd move onto the road when it's fully charged, or ask nicely if they come home, and DP sees no issue.

Is this fine or CF territory?

OP posts:
WunWun · 19/08/2023 18:40

Definitely CF.

Amethys · 19/08/2023 18:41

CF, Sorry. How could you not think about the charging point when planning for the skip?!

Alighttouchonthetiller · 19/08/2023 18:41

CF.

shoofly · 19/08/2023 18:43

Its a bit CF but if they're away on holiday you'd possibly have the car charged and moved before there's an issue. Leave a note on car explaining?
I'm assuming you don't have a contact number to message them?

Aquamarine1029 · 19/08/2023 18:43

Definitely CF. This is a great way to ruin a neighbourly relationship. Move the car.

LesserSpottedLoungeLizard · 19/08/2023 18:43

Sounds like my next door but a neighbours...I'd think CF...but that's because they are at times! #theirrecord

Wakintoblueskies · 19/08/2023 18:43

If they are on holidays, then their drive will be free. I’d hurry up and charge your car and move it back onto the road as soon as possible though.
Also pop a note through their letter box.

Sunshineclouds11 · 19/08/2023 18:45

CF.

They could return from holiday at anytime and see the car 🙈

Sleepydoor · 19/08/2023 18:46

How long is your skip going to be there?

Insommmmnia · 19/08/2023 18:47

Depends on your neighbours tbh

I wouldn't care if I got home and my neighbours had parked on my drive, but they look after my animals whilst we are away and are really nice

I've lived near other neighbours where I either didn't know them well enough and would have thought they were taking the piss, or didn't like and wouldn't have been irritated by them doing this.

So it depends on the relationship with the neighbours really. I think given you aren't quite sure where they are, exactly when they went or when they are coming back you probably are not close enough for this to be anything other than CF behaviour

Original poster
Vinntet · 19/08/2023 18:47

I just didn't think about it because I never plug my own car into the side of the house.

It's my fault and this seems like the only solution, which I think is why DP doesn't want to hear me say we shouldn't just park next door.

OP posts:
Seaswimmingforthesoul · 19/08/2023 18:48

Definitely CF.
Do you not have contact details for them to message and ask their permission?
I hope they don't have cameras, as if they're on holiday and can see there's people using their drive and on their property they could be really freaked out/worried/pissed off.
It's not the end of the world but little things like this can escalate into really nasty situations with neighbours. Move the car, charge it elsewhere. Its your error.

Seaswimmingforthesoul · 19/08/2023 18:48

Wakintoblueskies · 19/08/2023 18:43

If they are on holidays, then their drive will be free. I’d hurry up and charge your car and move it back onto the road as soon as possible though.
Also pop a note through their letter box.

Yes the note is a good idea!

Tumbleweed101 · 19/08/2023 18:49

If you have their phone number and are on reasonable terms just send a message to explain and check it's OK.

PathOfLeastResitance · 19/08/2023 18:50

Can’t you use an extension lead?

Thewizardbinbag · 19/08/2023 18:51

How long is the skip going to be there? If it’s going to be a couple days then you’ll probably get away with using their drive but not for longer as they’ll want to use it when they’re home.

Original poster
Vinntet · 19/08/2023 18:51

The skip is being picked up first thing on Monday morning. Shouldn't need to charge the car more than this once, so I'm hoping it's not going to actually be inconvenient, but aware it could be.

I agree, we're not so close they've told us they're away and I'd rather ask than just go ahead, but don't have their contact details.

OP posts:
Daphnis156 · 19/08/2023 18:51

You sound disorganised as well as entitled and cheeky.
You could always put DP's car in the skip.

Just because someone by your judgement is "not there" does not mean you use their property without permission.

RandomMess · 19/08/2023 18:52

Ask other neighbours if they have their contact details?

Yourebeingtooloud · 19/08/2023 18:52

I wouldn’t mind a neighbour using my drive like this when I was away if they asked me.

I would be majorly annoyed to arrive home from holiday & be unable to park on my drive straight away or unload my car etc. It’s very rude to just presume it’s fine.

123InTheSky · 19/08/2023 18:53

Could you use a local charger instead of your own? It seems off to park on a neighbour you don’t know well’s drive without permission

lanthanum · 19/08/2023 18:54

Pop a note on your car windscreen (because if they get back from holiday they'll see that before they unload the car, unlike the pile of junkmail inside the house). Move it as soon as it's charged. If you need to do it again before they're back, make sure there is somebody in so that you can move it immediately when they appear.

Aquamarine1029 · 19/08/2023 18:54

Vinntet · 19/08/2023 18:47

I just didn't think about it because I never plug my own car into the side of the house.

It's my fault and this seems like the only solution, which I think is why DP doesn't want to hear me say we shouldn't just park next door.

The only solution? It's the only solution you like.

yogasaurus · 19/08/2023 18:55

CF. Text them to ask them. If you don’t have their number, you’re not close enough to use it

Crispyperifries · 19/08/2023 18:56

Do they have a ring doorbell as they may already know😬

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