Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour complaining about my parking

223 replies

nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:09

Diagram attached, it’s shit sorry!

I moved into my flat in October. It’s a block of flats. There is off street parking available, but it’s not allocated to anyone and is on a first come first served basis. Some families have several cars and others, like myself, only have the 1.

Shortly after moving in, I encountered difficulties with parking. I usually finish work later, and by the time I get home, most of the spaces are taken. I began parking on the street adjacent to the flats, but it got damaged in February (likely by a group of kids as other drivers in the village have experienced similar issues). Subsequently, I resumed parking outside the flats again.

Occasionally, I find myself parking on the corner (highlighted) when there are no other spaces available. I understand that reversing past can be challenging for some people, but with careful and slow driving, it is possible. I have done it myself. When I returned home on Sunday, the son of my neighbour approached me and asked if I could avoid parking on the corner because his elderly dad has difficulty reversing past. I apologised and explained that I typically park there because there are often no other spaces available when I get home. I also mentioned that I can no longer park on the street because my car was damaged the last time. He agreed and asked if I could avoid parking there when possible.

I returned home this evening and he approached me again voicing his complaints. I proposed that his dad could park on the corner if that worked better, and I could take his spot (highlighted) at the front. But it seems he wants / needs to park closer to his flat. I’m feeling a bit lost about what to do and he refuses to talk to the other neighbours, even though they have several cars. It feels like I’m being pressured to park on the street. I’m 26 and he’s in his 40s (I know him a little through a friend), which makes me feel a bit intimidated.

Should I just go ahead and park on the street, even if it risks my car getting damaged again? AIBU to park on the corner if there are no other spaces available?

Neighbour complaining about my parking
OP posts:
EmeraldRoulette · 03/04/2025 00:15

Is it a legit space? If so, you are allowed to park there and that's it.

Original poster
nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:22

@EmeraldRoulette I can’t say for certain if it’s a proper parking space, but there are no yellow lines or road markings indicating that people can’t park there, if that makes sense. People can still get past, they just need to take it slow while driving.

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 03/04/2025 00:24

Why is it harder to get past your car than any of the other parked cars?

alcoholnightmare · 03/04/2025 00:27

From your diagram, I think you’re fine

EmeraldRoulette · 03/04/2025 00:28

nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:22

@EmeraldRoulette I can’t say for certain if it’s a proper parking space, but there are no yellow lines or road markings indicating that people can’t park there, if that makes sense. People can still get past, they just need to take it slow while driving.

Edited

Sounds like you're fine

from the diagram, I can't see any issues at all. Not your fault if someone can't drive properly.

Original poster
nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:28

@Ablondiebutagoody because I’m parked on the corner, while the others are parked in a straight line. There isn’t enough space for me to do the same.

OP posts:
BassesAreBest · 03/04/2025 00:31

It depends if it’s an actual space or not, and it also depends on exactly how difficult it is to reverse around your car - not clear from your diagram how much space there is, and not all cars are equally easy to manoeuvre.

If it’s a properly marked space then YANBU.

MummaMummaJumma · 03/04/2025 00:36

Is it possible for your neighbour to reverse park into his ‘space’? Tell the son it’s your only option to park there and that’s the end of it. If he presents you with something that says you cannot park there, you’ll have to find an alternative but until then, that’s where you’ll continue to park.

Wingedharpy · 03/04/2025 00:36

Is it maybe that his dad likes to use "your" parking space to turn in so that he doesn't need to reverse out into the main road?
I would not put my own vehicle at risk on the street if where you are parking is a legitimate space.
I think your response to the son was perfectly reasonable.
Does the son have a car too?
If so, you could always say "well, you move your car Derek and I'll park where you are instead".

Sleepington · 03/04/2025 00:37

BassesAreBest · 03/04/2025 00:31

It depends if it’s an actual space or not, and it also depends on exactly how difficult it is to reverse around your car - not clear from your diagram how much space there is, and not all cars are equally easy to manoeuvre.

If it’s a properly marked space then YANBU.

This.

It depends on the size of both cars too? If you have a longer car, there may be a very narrow width for your neighbour to reverse out.

A solution would be for your neighbour to reverse in?

I imagine that they will be on to the management company asap to have the parking reviewed.

CarpetKnees · 03/04/2025 00:38

I wouldn't like to comment really, without a more accurate diagram or a drone photo.

Your diagram doesn't suggest it is a problem, but obviously you want everyone to agree with you. The fact the son of one of your neighbours has felt he needs to approach you about it, suggests that the diagram is skewed slightly so you don't look bad.

As a general rule, if there is no parking left, then you can't park there - that seems fairly straightforward.
But then small blocks of flats usually have an allocated space for each flat, so is that not the case for you ?

Original poster
nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:41

I hope nobody recognises this, but this is a screenshot of the parking area. The red line is me.

Neighbour complaining about my parking
OP posts:
Original poster
nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:44

@CarpetKnees I have attached a photo. Hopefully that helps.

OP posts:
StHilarion · 03/04/2025 00:44

By parking there don’t you run the risk of your vehicle being bumped

Original poster
nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:46

@StHilarion yes I suppose so, but it’s that or the street.

OP posts:
MummaMummaJumma · 03/04/2025 00:47

Looks like you’re fine. The yellow lines start further back. I thought it was parking bays so ignore the suggestion that you ask the neighbour to reverse park. Is it a crescent?

Original poster
nightmareparking · 03/04/2025 00:54

@MummaMummaJummathank you, and no it’s not a crescent. I’m not an awkward person, otherwise I wouldn’t have parked on the street to begin with. I’m happy to consider suggestions, but he doesn’t seem to have any, other than don’t park there! Lol!

OP posts:
TheFatCatsWhiskers1 · 03/04/2025 00:59

MummaMummaJumma · 03/04/2025 00:36

Is it possible for your neighbour to reverse park into his ‘space’? Tell the son it’s your only option to park there and that’s the end of it. If he presents you with something that says you cannot park there, you’ll have to find an alternative but until then, that’s where you’ll continue to park.

Yes, this. I almost always reverse into bays as I got fed up of being boxed in by much larger cars that were hard to manoeuvre around when reversing. It’s so much easier.

GravyBoatWars · 03/04/2025 01:00

Are there any lines marking off parking spaces otherwise? Or is it all "free form"?

CatsWhiskerz · 03/04/2025 01:02

Do you park side on or front/back against kerb?

Speckson · 03/04/2025 01:03

Park on the grass.

LumpyandBumps · 03/04/2025 01:12

I can’t really see his problem. It’s not like there are cars behind you. He can keep close to the grass and if he misjudges and gets a wheel on the grass it’s hardly the end of the world.

Cottesloe · 03/04/2025 01:23

Are you the only person that ever parks there? If not, has this bloke said anything to them? Or is it other blokes who park there and he's too much of a wimp to tell them? I wouldn't move it to somewhere where it could be damaged. Maybe old bloke could park it on the road?

pusspuss9 · 03/04/2025 02:08

speaking as an older person, it's very difficult to turn one's head round as fa as is sometimes needed for intricate manoeuvers , or to judge distancing so this may be why this older person has difficulties. This is of course not your problem OP

TwitTwooTwat · 03/04/2025 02:17

Looks fine to me. This bloke probably wouldn’t approach a man the same as he has you. His dad should reverse in where there is more room. If he cannot reverse into a parking space, there is no helping them.