Asked neighbours visitor to not park so close to my driveway

[9hashbrownsplease]

I live in a cul de sac, and annoyingly, the majority of visitors choose to park outside my house. I was unaware of the extent of the issue until after I had moved in, but it is what it is. There are no alternative parking options available without blocking someone’s driveway, so everyone parks here instead. It’s every single day and a bit frustrating at times, but nothing I can do.

The majority of people are considerate and leave enough space for me to come and go, however, there are some, such as this woman, who park excessively close to the dropped kerb, preventing me from passing their car. I’m then forced to drive out in the opposite direction, turn around and come back.

This specific car comes by several times a week and parks so near that she might as well park directly across my drive. She visits the house a few doors down. Although I have never spoken to her, this morning I was outside when she pulled up. I asked if she could give me a little more space while parking here, explained my reasoning, and she merely rolled her eyes at me before walking away.

I want to clarify that I have no problem with her parking here (despite how annoying it may be), it’s a public road and anyone can park there. I know that. I just wish she would give me a bit more space to get in and out of my drive. There is genuinely no reason for her not to park a little further down the kerb, she just chooses not to.

I have included a (poorly drawn) diagram. The road is not as wide as depicted in the diagram and is, in fact, quite narrow, which is the reason I cannot swing around her car when leaving. I have maintained good relationships with my neighbours, and now I’m concerned that it may become uncomfortable due to the comment I made to their friend.

What motivates someone to intentionally create challenges for the neighbours of their friends or family? Was I unreasonable for asking this?

That's absolutely ridiculous. Assuming they are looking out on to a public road, obviously cars are going to be visible. If they want breakfast with a view, they can go to a hotel.

OP I live on the road out of town, with my house being one of the last few as you leave. We have unrestricted on street parking, no driveway.
In order to drive to work, I have to turn around when I arrive home or when I leave in the morning, every single day.
I don't care.

I don't mean to seem dismissive but seeing as you have no say over this arrangement, accept it and stop letting it bother you.

I genuinely hate pettiness or tit for tat, which is why I initially asked nicely. I prefer to use my drive and leave the space for someone who needs it. However, considering that this woman and others don’t seem to care, perhaps I should adopt the same attitude and start parking in that space instead, leaving my drive empty. They will have to find alternative parking. After all, it’s fair game, right?

If she parked further down presumably she'd be taking up 2 spaces

Then you'd get a different neighbour on here moaning about her blocking two spaces

She's not blocking you in and stopping you getting out at all, just inconvenienced a little.

My road has a very similar layout, also with the only space to park being outside my house. I had difficulties with people parking opposite my drive, making it really difficult to get off my drive. I started parking on the road instead of on my drive. My visitors will normally park on my drive.

Or perhaps you should just accept you'll have to turn your car around.

You’ve asked nicely. Now she can decide whether to be a decent human being or not.

@HuffleMyPuffle She could still park a little further back without positioning herself directly in the middle, allowing another car to fit behind her, while also providing me with some additional space to pass by.

@pictoosh Actually, not quite. I could also use the space and leave my drive empty. She would need to look alternative parking options.

Go for it then. If you're that bothered.

You could perhaps park on the road where she does, for a bit, see if she gets the message?

Edit - cross posted!

@pictoosh I will, and yes, I am bothered, hence my post.

In your situation, I would park outside my house on the road overhanging my own driveway slightly. That way, the awkward visitor can't park there, no-one can use your driveway instead (seen that happen) and you don't have to mess around manoeuvring further along the cul-de-sac. You asked nicely, she ignored you so screw it.

I get that it can be annoying when people do this as we have the same problem on our narrow road. When two cars are flanking our drive right up to the line and there are also cars parked across the street, getting out of our drive is sometimes nearly impossible and requires many manoeuvres to get out while people using our road as a cut through glare and honk impatiently. If the cars parked up to the line moved even 6-12 inches back each (they are both single spots so doing so would not encroach on a space behind them), it would be much easier. However I’ve never complained to anyone or asked them to move, as I’m sure the reaction would be much the same as you got. I just grit my teeth and get on with it.

I’ve considered not using my drive and parking outside my house as well but I don’t want to be an arsehole. Maybe I should though if everyone else seems happy to only think of themselves.

It can be awkward for swinging round.

I did the same when the school run got too much and people were parking literally either side of the drive so closely that I couldn't actually get out.

I removed the problem by parking there myself.

I think you’ve asked nicely, and a reasonable person would say ‘sure, no problem’.

She’s an arse roll her eyes at you, OP.

has she started giving you a little more space?

I think you’ve asked nicely, and a reasonable person would say ‘sure, no problem’.

She’s an arse roll her eyes at you, OP.

has she started giving you a little more space?

It doesn't hurt to be helpful

You’d actually waste police time because…lentils??

@KnewYearKnewMe It happened this morning, so I’m not sure at this point. However, she typically visits most days, so I expect she will return tomorrow. If she parks more appropriately next time, that would be great, and I will refrain from taking any action. On the other hand, if she doesn’t, I will start parking there, and she’ll have to find another space. I think I’ve been more than fair 😊

If they visit at the same time every week, park in the space yourself until they get the hint.

People are not supposed to park over your dropped kerb, including the angled bits of kerb. If they are not doing this then if they are approachable I would ask them politely, explaining your difficulties.
Alternatively you could park where they are parking.

Where I stay, the council is willing to paint white lines across driveways to show where parking can start. Is that the case where you are?

Absolutely take this space outside your house.

Anyone says a word to you, tell them you asked nicely to be able to exit your property and got a fxxk you raised eyebrows from X's visitor so you willNnow be parking there in future.

I had the same situation with a neighbours entitled father.
He told my husband he would park where he liked.
I was heavily pregnant at the time and backing out on a corner was tricky.
So I took to parking across my dropped curbed which absolutely made life really difficult for his daughter and husband to exit their house, plus for neighbours.

They approached my husband who explained the issue and they apologised profusely and it never happened again.

@ChangeOfNameAujourdhui I’m not sure about the council, could definitely ask though and see if it helps. I believe the problem is that people aren’t actually blocking access or parking on the dropped kerb, but rather parking very very close to it, which makes it difficult to maneuver around their cars. Sure, it’s not anyone’s fault that the road is so narrow, but this mindset of "I’m parked legally, so tough shit if it makes your life difficult" really winds me up me, especially since they could easily park a little further down. It feels like some people intentionally try to make things harder for others just because they can!