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Original poster

To be fucked off the neighbours use my drive constantly

303 replies

crappymeal · 17/02/2025 16:13

My drive is big enough for about 3 cars if they squeeze on. We have a car which normally gets blocked in by the neighbours who use ours without asking.

It also means if we have visitors, they don't have anywhere to park and they have to find somewhere up the street although the roads are skinny and it's a bit of a nightmare (and I guess that's why they won't do it).

They usually get about 5 visitors a day and don't ask if they can use it first.

I wouldn't mind every now and then (which I have said before) but it's almost every day now and I think they're taking the piss.

I've tried speaking to them and they have said that the visitors don't stay for long so it doesn't matter?

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 17/02/2025 16:56

These sound like the kind who will say okay, no more but then suddenly have someone urgent round and they’ll only be 5 minutes so it’s fine and so it will continue. Get your plant pots and/or 12 foot fence sorted sharpish.

Also… Playing footie out there? This is the most shocking thing I’ve ever read on MN. Grin

Original poster
crappymeal · 17/02/2025 16:58

And as we speak a 'friend' of theirs has turned up and parked on the drive, brilliant!! I went out and asked them to move the car but they haven't. They just looked at me and went inside the neighbours. I know this isn't the end of the world but for fuck sake!! I'm looking at fencing now.

OP posts:
SunshineAndFizz · 17/02/2025 16:58

It wouldn't be rude of you at all to get a gate or any of the suggestions on here.

PLEASE speak to them too, they're CFs.

"I'm going to have to ask you and your guests to stop parking on our drive. It's hugely inconvenient for us - your guests park at anytime without permission and quite often block us in. I'm sure you understand, thanks in advance."

AngelicKaty · 17/02/2025 16:58

@crappymeal Sorry OP, but I can't believe how passive you're being about this. Your CF neighbours are taking the piss out of you because they know they can. So here's my suggestion, if you're unable to be assertive in a F2F conversation with them, write them a letter:
"Dear CF Neighbours, I'm afraid you and your visitors can no longer park on our driveway. When we kindly agreed to you/them doing so, it was on the basis that it would be very occasional. This is now happening almost every day and even worse, our own car is being blocked in. With immediate effect, you and your visitors will have to park elsewhere."
If they continue to park on your driveway, take photo's every time they do so (for evidence) and pay a solicitor to write a "cease and desist" letter pointing out that they are now trespassing.

Daleksatemyshed · 17/02/2025 16:58

Do they not have a drive of their own Op? It sounds like you need to make yours as fenced off as possible if not only do they park on it but their DC feel free to play on it too. Don't feel you're being rude, it's your house, your drive and they are being bloody cheeky

HamptonPlace · 17/02/2025 17:01

Raindropskeepfallinonmyhead · 17/02/2025 16:25

Why are you worrying about being rude to them? Cheeky bastards

Because they are going to have to live beside these people for the foreseeable future?

MinnieMountain · 17/02/2025 17:02

Surely now is the perfect time to have a quick word?

Doloresparton · 17/02/2025 17:03

So today put your bins behind their car and other obstacles to hand.
Make friends with a local copper who can have a word with the ndn.

MyDeftDuck · 17/02/2025 17:03

Why not park at the very end of your drive, thus leaving them no space to use it and if you have visitors you simply reverse back and make space for them - sorted!

Trumptonagain · 17/02/2025 17:03

Are they ever parked while you're out?

If not and you happen to see them arrive grab your keys and bag, tell them you need to nip out.

Go round the block then back home and if they've parked in your drive park behind them and only move when it suits you...sorry, having lunch/dinner, won't be long.

Look out window while on the phone and point at it followed by that wave that people do when they ecxpect you to wait, mouthing won't be long.

Open the door and tell them you won't be long, just let me finish xyz, and take your time.

AllHisCaterpillarFriends · 17/02/2025 17:04

Doloresparton · 17/02/2025 17:03

So today put your bins behind their car and other obstacles to hand.
Make friends with a local copper who can have a word with the ndn.

This is the old skool batty MN.

Friends with the local copper 😂

GRex · 17/02/2025 17:05

crappymeal · 17/02/2025 16:22

I've said to them before that if they're going to have extra visitors and need the space then to come and ask me and it would usually be fine but please don't use the drive without asking, they seemed fine. I've also had visitors turn up when there has been cars on my drive and I've asked them to move but that's taken a good 20 mins/ half an hour.

Show quote history

I don't know why you said this, but it was very silly and you need to take it back. Drop in a note "Effective immediately, please make all your guests aware that they may not park on our drive. Your children may also not use our drive for playing. Thank you #18 Pork Alley."

Then get gates installed, because you've confused them and it'll take time to resolve.

saraclara · 17/02/2025 17:05

"I'm going to have to ask you and your guests to stop parking on our drive. It's hugely inconvenient for us - your guests park at anytime without permission and quite often block us in. I'm sure you understand

That. Go round today. And whatever they say in response about 'then not being here long' etc, simply say 'no, that's not how it's been working out, and we're having to say no, even if it's only for five minutes. We tried to be helpful but it's now got out of hand'.

AngelicKaty · 17/02/2025 17:05

Picklelily99 · 17/02/2025 16:51

"Going forward, it won't be possible for you and your visitors to park on our drive, so you'll have to find an alternative". Don't start by saying 'sorry but ...' Don't give an explanation - they don't need to know why. Keep it brief and to the point but please, PLEASE JUST TELL THEM. Don't think the easy way will be to use flowerpots, or fix a gate, or build a wall, or any myriad of possibilities - the people who really don't care if they offend you will still find a way and you'll end up tearing your hair out in frustration. Be upfront, be firm but pleasant, be clear - 'no more'.

Also, why should OP pay for some of these expensive options when ASSERTIVENESS COSTS NOTHING!

saraclara · 17/02/2025 17:06

Drop in a note "Effective immediately, please make all your guests aware that they may not park on our drive. Your children may also not use our drive for playing. Thank you #18 Pork Alley."

Also good.

AngelicKaty · 17/02/2025 17:10

crappymeal · 17/02/2025 16:58

And as we speak a 'friend' of theirs has turned up and parked on the drive, brilliant!! I went out and asked them to move the car but they haven't. They just looked at me and went inside the neighbours. I know this isn't the end of the world but for fuck sake!! I'm looking at fencing now.

"They just looked at me and went inside the neighbours." And you just stood there and said nothing further? For pity's sake OP, grow a back-bone. They're doing this to you because THEY KNOW THEY CAN!

Devianinc · 17/02/2025 17:12

crappymeal · 17/02/2025 16:15

They block our car in by using our driveway

Show quote history

Park your car as far down as you can close to the road so they can’t park behind you. If you have to and there are cars parked on either side of you have the rear of the car in the street even with the cars parked on the side as far back as you can without obstructing traffic. That’ll stop it.

RobinEllacotStrike · 17/02/2025 17:14

"I wouldn't mind every now and then (which I have said before) "

this is where you went wrong - you tried to be reasonable and now they have full permission to use your drive (or they think they do).

You need to cancel the permission

AngelicKaty · 17/02/2025 17:14

MinnieMountain · 17/02/2025 17:02

Surely now is the perfect time to have a quick word?

Exactly! Knock on the door and say "Your visitors have just parked on my drive, I told them not to, but they just ignored me. They need to come out now and move their car."
I'm honestly failing to understand why this is so difficult to deal with or why anyone is suggesting that OP go to any expense (gates, fence, bollards) to stop this happening (and worse still, that OP is actually considering incurring that expense!).

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 17/02/2025 17:16

If they’re blocking you in, ring 101 and get the car towed I’m sure they will stop doing it then

AffableApple · 17/02/2025 17:17

crappymeal · 17/02/2025 16:58

And as we speak a 'friend' of theirs has turned up and parked on the drive, brilliant!! I went out and asked them to move the car but they haven't. They just looked at me and went inside the neighbours. I know this isn't the end of the world but for fuck sake!! I'm looking at fencing now.

And you followed them and repeated yourself? And waited for your neighbour to open the door to them and repeated yourself again to both of them, incredulous that they hadn't paid you any heed? What happened then?

Convolvulus · 17/02/2025 17:18

You need to tell the neighbours that you have been trying to resolve this amicably, but unfortunately nothing is improving. The bottom line is that they and their visitors are trespassing and it has to stop. You are willing to help out if people ask first, but not otherwise.

Then put that gate in. If they make a fuss, tell them they spoilt it for themselves.

olympicsrock · 17/02/2025 17:21

HowAmYa · 17/02/2025 16:26

Can we have a drawing please OP

This is one situation where a diagram is not needed . It’s OP drive and she doesn’t want the neighbour to use it.

OP as they are clearly utter piss takers or stupid or both, I would write a letter and deliver it saying . Dear neighbour “ As you have not respected my multiple requests to only park after asking permission , not allow your children to play on my drive and then not removed cars immediately on request , I am now removing any permission for your family or any guests to use my property. For avoidance of doubt DO NOT PARK ON MY DRIVE EVER or I will call the police without warning and ask for the vehicle to be towed”
Yours sincerely
OP

olympicsrock · 17/02/2025 17:22

crappymeal · 17/02/2025 16:58

And as we speak a 'friend' of theirs has turned up and parked on the drive, brilliant!! I went out and asked them to move the car but they haven't. They just looked at me and went inside the neighbours. I know this isn't the end of the world but for fuck sake!! I'm looking at fencing now.

Police non emergency line - NOW . Get them towed .

coldcallerbaiter · 17/02/2025 17:24

endofthecorridoor · 17/02/2025 16:56

I've had the same with our next door neighbors. We had a building company in to do both adjoining roofs 12 months ago and now the builders are back at their property to do some additional work. They were constantly parking bang in the middle of my driveway and then going to work next door. I've had to message them to say stop it several times (i'm sure they think i am being over the top) But if you give them an inch they will take a yard. Just do it via message and repeat as necessary.

Show quote history

Park at the entrance diagonally? Are you saying they can still squeeze past?

I had similar issue not on my drive but in an extra spare parking space.
away from my house, it belonged to me and I did not use it but allowed neighbours to use it if they asked first on an occasional basis eg. if they were having a party or having work done in their own drive. One new neighbour just started parking full time, having heard I allow it. I told him to move it and he said he had very little space on his own drive and my spare space is always empty. You should have seen his face when I told him his poor choice in house buying wasn’t my problem.
They don’t speak to me, I don’t give a monkey’s.

OP you did the right thing allowing occasional with permission parking. But these people are CF. Embarrass them.