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Original poster

Help - neighbour blinding me

73 replies

Carsarelife · 07/01/2024 22:37

So I live in a bungalow with neighbours either side of me, we don't have any houses over looking us per se.
My house is 2 bed with a kitchen and bedroom right at front of the house.
Opposite me is the side of someone's house. All you can see is a brick wall with one teeny window which I'm guessing is a staircase window.
The small garden that is at the side of the house opposite has been turned into a driveway for 2/3 cars. They reverse in so the cars are facing outwards ready to drive off . One of the cars most nights either starts his car and leaves it running with the headlights literally beaming into my DD's bedroom and as they are led literally lights up the whole room. Or he comes home and reverses onto the drive but sits there a while with his lights beaming in the window.
It's so annoying as he probably doesn't even realise he's doing it.
Should I just suck it up and invest in a black out blind?
Would it be unreasonable to put a note in his door?

OP posts:
Original poster
Carsarelife · 08/01/2024 07:43

@JingleSnowmanTree why do you think I can't have a basic conversation?
I do work full time and there's a few people living opposite. Plus I'm not 100% certain how much English they speak/understand

OP posts:
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 08/01/2024 07:52

I do work full time and there's a few people living opposite. Plus I'm not 100% certain how much English they speak/understand

Not sure why your working hours come into this, you’re obviously in when they are using the drive

You would know how much “English” they speak if you actually converse with them 🙃

Original poster
Carsarelife · 08/01/2024 08:06

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend I don't get home until 6 or 630 then I have to bath my daughter and put her to bed. Sometimes when I get home there are no cars there sometimes there are. There is around 7 or 8 people living there so no idea whose car belongs to whom.
Don't forget when I bought my house there was no "driveway" opposite as it was a side garden

OP posts:
FourthToeOnTheRight · 08/01/2024 08:12

Go with the option of buying Blackout blind/curtains.

We also had issues with one neighbour opposite installing an outside light! For some reason it was on all night a couple of months ago, I woke up thinking it must be a full moon, nope bright outdoor light.

Bought blackout curtains from Dunelm and love them! Some light filters through the sides but they’re fab.

Sisterpita · 08/01/2024 08:15

I agree blackout curtains.

I would also suggest a mirror or piece of cardboard covered in tinfoil in the window to reflect the light back into the car. Do this for a couple of nights and they should get the message.

TinyYellow · 08/01/2024 08:18

Buy a blackout blind. People are allowed to drive into and out of their drives.

MySlipperAddiction · 08/01/2024 08:19

Get the blackout blind, you can get cassette black out that have side tracks for the blind and completely block all the light. Bloc blinds come to mind but there are lots out there. Brilliant for any bedroom.

Original poster
Carsarelife · 08/01/2024 08:20

@TinyYellow where have I said they are not allowed to drive in and out of their drives? Personally I wouldn't sit on my drive with my car running at 11.30 at night with my lights on full shining into someone's windows. But perhaps that's just me

OP posts:
Original poster
Carsarelife · 08/01/2024 08:21

@FourthToeOnTheRight thank you they sound fab

OP posts:
Cosywintertime · 08/01/2024 08:23

Even if he doesn’t leave it running, I assume to warm it, he still needs to drive in and out, so the light will come in. It’s due to th4 house layouts . I’d buy black out blinds.

AdobeWanKenobi · 08/01/2024 08:23

Can you plant anything along the boundary or install a low fence? The house opposite sits on their drive with the headlights pointing at our lounge window at dusk, not a big issue as it’s usually the cue to get up and drawer the blinds, but we planted a low hedge which is working a treat.

Original poster
Carsarelife · 08/01/2024 08:27

@Cosywintertime yes I will buy black out blinds. A couple of the cars drive onto the drive so they reverse off which isn't as bad, but this one car I think has new led headlights which are so bright and he's always facing the house. It's weird as the house isn't exactly opposite us as no one is opposite but the side of their house is more opposite next door but for some reason the lights are that bright

OP posts:
AdobeWanKenobi · 08/01/2024 08:29

Correcting my post too late. *Draw the blinds. Dammit 😂

MorningSunshineSparkles · 08/01/2024 08:40

Agree with PP’s, blinds/thick curtains are best. He’s likely leaving the car to defrost in weather like this, can’t be helped.

Summerishere123 · 08/01/2024 08:40

Definitely speak to him but be nice! He is less likely to make changes to help you if you shout at him like my neighbour does.

Original poster
Carsarelife · 08/01/2024 08:43

@MorningSunshineSparkles no he's been doing it for ages

OP posts:
Normandy144 · 08/01/2024 08:50

I would definitely get black out blinds/curtains - it's a must with children anyway. I couldn't have survived without them for my children, especially when the clocks go forward. I would also make sure to speak to someone in the house directly. I understand your working hours etc make it tricky but I doubt it's impossible to find time to have a word. It's also much more likely to resolve the situation than a note.

soupandcrackers · 08/01/2024 08:51

If he's not using his full beams then the only thing you can do is get blackout curtains/blinds.

Edit: but do say something about just sitting on the driveway shining lights into your DD's room. So inconsiderate. They can turn their headlights off if they do that.

soupandcrackers · 08/01/2024 08:57

I'd also sneak into your DD's room when they do it and stand in front of the window gesturing wildly. I don't understand why people are so very inconsiderate.

Muchof · 08/01/2024 09:06

Carsarelife · 08/01/2024 08:20

@TinyYellow where have I said they are not allowed to drive in and out of their drives? Personally I wouldn't sit on my drive with my car running at 11.30 at night with my lights on full shining into someone's windows. But perhaps that's just me

Nobody sits in their car at 11:30pm at night for the hell of it. They are obviously coming or going as they are entitled to do. Just put the blinds up, this is a non issue.

Pumpkinpie1 · 08/01/2024 09:33

Do you have a drive facing his house OP ?
If so does your cars light affect him?
If not get the blackout blinds and curtains , sometimes the best path is the one of least resistance x

Ganthanga · 08/01/2024 14:13

Most headlights are automatic these days, I never turn mine off day or night. If he turns on car to warm up then the lights will come on if it's dark. I really wouldn't make this their problem- get blackout blinds.

GetWhatYouWant · 08/01/2024 14:33

I'd get a blackout blind. It's worth having a word with them, it won't have entered their head that the lights are causing a problem. The lights will be on auto and probably have the 'see you home' feature where they stay on for a bit after you've locked the car. 7 or 8 cars doing this is going to cause a lot of lights shining in your rooms. Headlights these days seem so much brighter, I find they dazzle a lot more when driving and I have anti glare glasses.

NotSuchASmugMarriedAnymore · 08/01/2024 14:35

Don't put a note through the door. Go and talk to him.