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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour passing through my driveway to get on and off theirs

169 replies

parkingcars · 26/03/2025 01:29

I bought my house October last year and had the driveway fixed a couple of months later. Recently, I’ve seen that my next door neighbours, who are not attached, pass through (couple of times a day) the upper half of my drive to access theirs. They run side by side with a fence (in red) on the boundary line, but it’s not a shared drive. Additionally, their garage was built up to the boundary line.

I only have the 1 car, but they have 2 - a van parked on the road and a car on the drive. They are unable to drive immediately on and off since the van slightly overhangs their drive. They’re unable to drive the van forward to create extra space because their neighbour parks his car close to it to avoid blocking his own drive, which has another car parked on it (also a 2 vehicle household)

I understand it’s not my neighbours fault / intention to cause any issues, however it is frustrating that they are using my drive, which will lead to faster wear and tear without any contribution to maintenance costs. Ultimately, I think it’s up to them and their neighbour to find a resolution instead of using my drive.

My drive extends along the full length of my house, and I typically park towards the end. However, I’ve considered parking at the top of my drive to prevent this issue from happening. My concern is that they might bump my car while moving in and out.

AIBU? Am I being petty? Diagram attached…

Neighbour passing through my driveway to get on and off theirs
OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
FairlyTired · 26/03/2025 01:32

You're being petty, walking over it isn't going to cause damage unless it's very poorly built, it should be made to withstand a car driving over it.

Vegandiva · 26/03/2025 01:36

nice diagram 🙂

is there enough room to put a hedge in or something like that to delineate the boundary better?

MathsMum3 · 26/03/2025 01:40

10/10 diagram!
How high is the fence? Can you extend it right to the top of the drive, or put a planter in that gap between the end of the fence and the road?

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 26/03/2025 01:41

Our NDN did this for a bit and it really pissed us off.

However, we have recently decided to return the favour and it works for all of us.

Feefifothumb · 26/03/2025 01:43

From the OP's post and diagram (which was very good by the way) the neighbour may be driving onto OP's drive to park on their own drive.

If that is what is happening, it's understandable why OP is getting annoyed. The neighbour can remedy the partial blocking of their drive by parking their van elsewhere, or park the van on the drive and park the, presumably smaller car on the street. But no, they want to have the convenience of the car on the drive by inconveniencing the OP.

OP, either have words with them or park your car at the beginning of your drive so the neighbours can't drive over your drive. Alternatively, build a fence or better yet, a wall. That'll stop them!

MrsToddsShortcut · 26/03/2025 01:46

I’m confused. Do you mean they are driving up your drive and then down theirs? I don’t see how they can get to their drive via yours if there is a fence down the middle and they have a garage at the top of their drive? Am I being dim?

Mayyouleave · 26/03/2025 01:47

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Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 01:48

Vegandiva · 26/03/2025 01:36

nice diagram 🙂

is there enough room to put a hedge in or something like that to delineate the boundary better?

I don’t think so unfortunately. Both driveways are rather narrow which is they can’t park the van there. Having a hedge would make it difficult for me to get on and off my driveway as well.

OP posts:
Mayyouleave · 26/03/2025 01:50

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Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 01:53

@Mayyouleave no 🤣 I used this site that I found on Google to do the diagram - https://sketch.io/sketchpad/

it was just easier than using pen / paper (plus I can’t draw haha)

OP posts:
ScarletWitchM · 26/03/2025 02:02

Unless it’s causing you or your household an issue with using the drive then I wouldn’t really worry about it. If you’re just getting annoyed they are driving on your part then yes you are being petty (sorry)

Feefifothumb · 26/03/2025 02:02

parkingcars · 26/03/2025 01:48

I don’t think so unfortunately. Both driveways are rather narrow which is they can’t park the van there. Having a hedge would make it difficult for me to get on and off my driveway as well.

Show quote history

Ever since you moved in have the neighbours always been driving over your drive to park their car on their own drive? If you have not said anything, they probably think you don't mind.

As you do mind and you can't have a hedge, fence or wall barrier, you will have to use your car as the barrier using strategic parking.

nomas · 26/03/2025 02:03

Lovely diagram, OP!

You’re not being petty at all! Speak to the neighbour’s and ask them politely not to use your driveway.

I would park at the top of your driveway. Do you have a Ring doorbell installed?

nomas · 26/03/2025 02:04

ScarletWitchM · 26/03/2025 02:02

Unless it’s causing you or your household an issue with using the drive then I wouldn’t really worry about it. If you’re just getting annoyed they are driving on your part then yes you are being petty (sorry)

It is causing an issue. It’s wear and tear on OP’s drive. Not petty at all.

Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:05

@MrsToddsShortcut ok, sorry. I probably haven’t explained it very well.

The fence doesn’t extend all the way up to the end of our driveways.They are crossing over the upper half of my drive (marked in purple) to get on / off theirs since the van is in the way.

Hope that makes sense.

Neighbour passing through my driveway to get on and off theirs
OP posts:
CatsWhiskerz · 26/03/2025 02:11

I'd park at the top end of the drive so they can't drive over it. Would they be able to park if they turned their grass area into driveway? That would likely help everyone's issues with them

Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:12

@FeefifothumbI’m not sure. I parked on the road outside my house whilst the drive was being repaired (there was still enough room for them to drive over though so I’m assuming they’ve always done it) I genuinely never noticed until I started parking on the drive myself.

OP posts:
Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:14

CatsWhiskerz · 26/03/2025 02:11

I'd park at the top end of the drive so they can't drive over it. Would they be able to park if they turned their grass area into driveway? That would likely help everyone's issues with them

As far as I’m aware the property is rented so I’m not sure if that would be an option unfortunately but yes it would definitely solve the issue ;(

OP posts:
Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:17

I guess I’ll have to park my car at the top of the drive and just cross my fingers it doesn’t get hit!

OP posts:
nomas · 26/03/2025 02:17

Can you put a huge plant pot there to stop them? Would there be space for you to leave your drive?

nomas · 26/03/2025 02:19

parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:17

I guess I’ll have to park my car at the top of the drive and just cross my fingers it doesn’t get hit!

This is best. Maybe they’ll move their van.

Your property is not there to make their lives easier.

Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:23

@nomas that’s how I feel. I honestly wouldn’t mind if it was a one off, but not every single day (sometimes multiple times a day too)

OP posts:
nomas · 26/03/2025 02:28

parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:23

@nomas that’s how I feel. I honestly wouldn’t mind if it was a one off, but not every single day (sometimes multiple times a day too)

Agreed. My parents have a similar set up, their driveway and their neighbour’s driveway fits 4 cars each with no barrier in between, and they may occasionally go onto each other’s driveway to get out (e.g. if mum is blocking dad or brother’s van is blocking dad etc), but it’s rare and reciprocal.

MathsMum3 · 26/03/2025 02:30

parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:05

@MrsToddsShortcut ok, sorry. I probably haven’t explained it very well.

The fence doesn’t extend all the way up to the end of our driveways.They are crossing over the upper half of my drive (marked in purple) to get on / off theirs since the van is in the way.

Hope that makes sense.

So they're really just drving over the corner of your driveway (left hand side of your purple rectangle), to angle their car onto theirs? If so, maybe it's not a big deal.

It's curious that the fence doesn't extend right to the end, but you said in a previous post that the drives are very narrow, so maybe the fence was built that way so that both of you have more of an angle to get on to each of your own driveways, especially if you're reversing in.

Original poster
parkingcars · 26/03/2025 02:43

@MathsMum3yes, that’s correct. The fence was put up years ago, before either of us lived here anyway.

I don’t use / cross their driveway though (it wouldn’t work at that angel). Perhaps that’s why it bothers me so much because it’s not reciprocal as another poster pointed out. Just them using mine all the time!

OP posts:
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