We live in an Edwardian property with a back lane. We live in the double upper at number 8 and have a garage/the back garden. Our downstairs neighbour is lovely and we park across our garage and she parks along the rest of the garden wall. The rest of the properties on the back lane have the same set up.
However, the downstairs neighbour at number 6 (next door but we live on the even side of the street) has taken to parking across our garage and the garden wall. This means we either cannot access our garage and neither us or the downstairs neighbour can park along the remainder of the garden wall. This is despite the area of the back lane behind his property being free and when someone else is parked in his bit (very rarely) there isn’t really any rhyme or reason. There is also a side street where you can park and if for any reason a tradesperson or another car is parked there we would just park here.
Today I drove up and he was parked over our garage I have a 14 week old baby and she was asleep in the back. My downstairs neighbour is away so I was able to back up and park in her usual spot. He comes out to get something from his car he then looks at me and heads back in… I call after him and ask him to not park across our garage. He then says someone is parked outside his usual spot and I say well that doesn’t really have much to do with you being over my garage. He says well he just parks where there is a space and I say to him well our understanding and everyone else’s (he is the only problem neighbour) is that if the space behind your garden is taken you park in the side street you don’t then continue to inconvenience your neighbours. I also explain we have the baby and need to get her in and out. The spot where he parks is also entirely overgrown with weeds and brambles. I say to him that if he thinks it’s a free for all he should also clear that so people can get in and out the car if he chooses to park where he likes. My other half cleared the area for both ourselves and the downstairs neighbour and I think this is why he likes to park there! He then says no he doesn’t want to do that as it encourages people to park there…… I am at a loss at this point he then says “what do you want out of this conversation” I’m like for you to stop parking in front of my garage!
He then says that I am getting emotional and he understands I have just had a baby and the hormones are probably having an effect on my emotions and I am probably having issues at home. I AM BLOWN AWAY. I have zero idea why he had to get personal. He is also looking at me like I’m a total weirdo.
I tell him to stop being patronising and to just stop parking in front of my garage and he says he will park where he likes… I’m like cool you do what you want as what the hell else can I say… he then says thank you for giving me your permission. I said stop trying to get the last word and stop parking there! He then again says I know you have your baby and that is probably making you struggle because well actually I won’t say anything else with a smug look on his face. I think trying to insinuate I was nuts due to being postpartum. He then turns away and this is the kicker DOES NOT MOVE HIS CAR. Also he didn’t get anything out his car so I think it was just a power move. I am 30 and I would say he is max 37 so don’t think this is an excuse of being from a different generation ie sexism and being horrible to mothers is normal.
My other half is away but will be having words with him when he gets back. Thoughts on this scenario?