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AIBU?

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Original poster

Sunday evening Parking with diagram

28 replies

Parkingmad1 · 23/02/2025 17:10

It's a parking one so strap in!
NC for this.
Parking is allocated to houses in our cul de sac, two per house however they are not directly outside the houses.
When we moved here we were warned by previous residents and others in the cul de sac to only park in your own space, as there have previously been fights over parking spaces being occupied by other houses guests. Fist fights, the lot.

So as in the diagram, our two spaces are slightly offset from right outside our house. Us and occupier of house 1 only have one car so both park over our two spaces so we have space to get the kids in and out of the car. All fine.

This morning, we had guests so we moved our car to be in one space so guests could use the other. Dh then popped out after they had gone and when he came back he parked as we usually do across two spaces.

This evening, house 1 has a guest. The guest has parked half across our space. Fine for an hour or so but they've been there nearly 3 hours now and last week the same came came and stayed over night so I have no idea when they are going.
House 1 has not moved their car to occupy just one space so her guest can use the other, they've just allowed the guest to park over two spaces.

With the weather as it is, I'd like to be able to get the kids in the car in one swift move, especially as DS has ADHD and is triggered by the feeling of rain.
Aibu to think house 1 is being a CF given that she was the one who punched previous occupier of our house in the face when their guest accidentally parked in house 1s space?!
To avoid drip feed, spaces are not labeled so a guest would not know by just looking at the spaces.
Also there is a guest space further down the road.
I want to go over and ask them to move their car but I quite like the look of my face as it is.

Sunday evening Parking with diagram
OP posts:
IUnderstandTheWeird · 23/02/2025 17:25

Honestly? parking over two spaces as routine is just nuts. If you were all just parked in one space, this issue wouldn’t have arisen in the first place.

Original poster
Parkingmad1 · 23/02/2025 17:27

I get your point but as with many new builds, the parking spaces are so narrow there is no way you could get kids in the car with everyone parked within allocated lines. Plus, they're our spaces to do as we please

OP posts:
Ohthedaffodils · 23/02/2025 17:30

Your neighbour sounds obnoxious.

Runningoutofthyme · 23/02/2025 17:30

Why don’t you park closer to the space next to your neighbours going forwards? Then they can’t do that
and put a flower pot with your house number to block your other space

eta I would be annoyed tho

Soontobe60 · 23/02/2025 17:36

Just pull your car as far to the line on the other side as you can and tell your DC to put their hood up if its raining!

PullTheBricksDown · 23/02/2025 17:39

But your car is still parked across the two spaces as usual right? It's just that this other car is right up next to it as it's in the last half of one of your spaces. In which case, how is it any different for the kids getting into the car from normal?

JoyousEagle · 23/02/2025 17:39

she was the one who punched previous occupier of our house in the face when their guest accidentally parked in house 1s space?!

She's sounds deranged.

JoyousEagle · 23/02/2025 17:40

PullTheBricksDown · 23/02/2025 17:39

But your car is still parked across the two spaces as usual right? It's just that this other car is right up next to it as it's in the last half of one of your spaces. In which case, how is it any different for the kids getting into the car from normal?

I assume she means that because they now have a car right in next to them, they have to be more careful getting in, can't open the doors wide so it just takes longer.

It can't add that much time though.

Schoolchoicesucks · 23/02/2025 17:45

Can your kids climb across from the other side if the neighbour's guest's car is too close to open doors? Or are they in car seats and you need access for buckling? Are you actually going out or are you pre-empting an issue in the morning?

If I didn't need access and could get in and out of car then I wouldn't make a fuss. But next time I see neighbour might mention that could they ask their guests not to use your parking space.

If everyone is so territorial about parking spaces, why on earth have they not labelled the spaces? Why haven't you? Can you mark out your boundary with plants or something to make it clear it is your land?

Original poster
Parkingmad1 · 23/02/2025 17:54

Kids are toddlers so using car seats that need buckling. Too young to climb over the seats but too old to be maneuvered in by me unfortunately. Basically this neighbors guest is going to get a big old dent in the side of their car if they're still there when kids are getting in! To be honest I don't think I could even get in the driver's seat they've parked that close so let's hope there's no emergency

OP posts:
LifesTooShortForYourNonsense · 23/02/2025 18:02

It’s annoying, but I’m sure you can work out how to get the kids in - you’re going to get wet anyway. Do you have a neighbours’ WhatsApp you can stick a general reminder in in a few days, then no excuses to happen again.

ElfAndSafetyBored · 23/02/2025 18:09

This is annoying and I would not like it but surely you still have 1.5 space to park in. Is that really not enough to get your kids out of the car? I’d understand it more if the guest had fully parked in one of your spaces.

You are totally within your rights to ask them not to encroach on your spaces at all though. If you dare!

classicslove · 23/02/2025 18:29

Why not just move your car directly into the other space and then you'd have loads of room for the kids in the morning ?????

malmi · 23/02/2025 19:12

So many wet blankets on here! I wonder what they’d say if someone was sat in your front room taking up the sofa. "Well surely you can just sit in the armchair instead".

Just knock on and politely but firmly ask the neighbour to get the guest to move their car from your space and not park there in future. If they kick off then walk away and let them come to their senses.

Soontobe60 · 23/02/2025 19:43

Where has the cheeky neighbour parked their own car? Also, how did you manage to get a toddler assessed for ADHD at such a young age???

JoyousEagle · 23/02/2025 19:50

malmi · 23/02/2025 19:12

So many wet blankets on here! I wonder what they’d say if someone was sat in your front room taking up the sofa. "Well surely you can just sit in the armchair instead".

Just knock on and politely but firmly ask the neighbour to get the guest to move their car from your space and not park there in future. If they kick off then walk away and let them come to their senses.

Edited

Tbf this neighbour did previously punch someone in a parking disagreement.

ExitPursuedByABare · 23/02/2025 19:52

Crack on and knock on the door. Stand well back. Paint your house number on your spaces.

ThejoyofNC · 23/02/2025 19:55

Sounds like she thinks she owns the place. Knock on the door and ask them to move/not do it again.

Fastingandhungry · 23/02/2025 19:57

Your toddler has been diagnosed with ADHD?

hyggetyggedotorg · 23/02/2025 20:02

It’s really not helpful in your situation but there’s no way I would have bought the house knowing about the parking violence in advance.

I wouldn’t ask her to move personally, as you are still parked up. But DH would be seething about it 😉.

Namechanged4obviousreasons · 23/02/2025 20:08

It won’t help right now but in future, could you put two big plant pots on the edge of your two spaces and then park between them? If you need the extra space for a guest, just shuffle them to the front corners of the spaces and park a little further out of the space.

Zimunya · 23/02/2025 20:32

Namechanged4obviousreasons · 23/02/2025 20:08

It won’t help right now but in future, could you put two big plant pots on the edge of your two spaces and then park between them? If you need the extra space for a guest, just shuffle them to the front corners of the spaces and park a little further out of the space.

This is a really good idea.

SleepPrettyDarling · 23/02/2025 20:42

I’m baffled that you can’t just knock and say ‘hiya, can your pal move the car so I can strap the kids in?That’s not confrontational.

MathsMum3 · 23/02/2025 20:47

You still have 1.5 spaces for one car. Just move your car slightly to the left before loading the kids and you'll have plenty of room to strap them in. I agree it's not ideal, but in the interest of neighbourly relationships, I'd give them the benefit of doubt this time. If it keeps happening, you'll have good reason to pop round and ask them not to do this.

Lambington · 23/02/2025 20:55

You need a penguin bollard.
In the meantime if you are really worried about being able to access your car in an emergency as you say then call the police and get it towed.