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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New neighbours and parking?

71 replies

soorty · 13/10/2025 17:59

I shared a driveway and my lovely neighbours have moved out. The new people seem nice but they’ve parked their car on their side of the driveway and parked their second car behind it. They’ve parked like this every day so it’s not a one off.

It makes it so difficult for me to leave my driveway, I have to manoeuvre around their car and 9/10 times a car parked on the opposite side of the road to my driveway and a huge tree (on the pavement) on the other side of me. It’s a very narrow old street.

I know the solution is to talk to them but I really don’t want to have to put in a complaint to them after just a few days. Aibu to say something? Would you react ok to this?

OP posts:
Ohnobackagain · 14/10/2025 19:59

NoNever · 13/10/2025 21:35

Since they’re new I think a friendly chat mentioning how hard it is to get out of your driveway and could they please just back up a bit so that maybe they’re only blocking 1/4 of the drive way is more that reasonable. They likely don’t realize they’re causing you difficulty.

This @soorty don’t leave it too long, just ask if they could leave a bit more space for you to manoeuvre. Very light and perfectly reasonable. While you have nothing to apologise for, you could say you don’t want to start on the wrong foot ‘but would you mind leaving me a bit more space, I don’t want to clonk your bumper and other cars fly past and it would be a huge help’

SaratogaFilly · 14/10/2025 20:02

SarahAndQuack · 13/10/2025 21:22

This is where you gain nothing by being a good driver. Yes, you can get your car past them, but it is awkward. And they barely know you. So, from now on, you are sweet cheery neighbour lady who's not the world's best at reversing. 'So sorry, lovely new neighbours, I can't get past your car!' And repeat, over and over, until they get the message that it's in the way. If you need to throw in a wistful 'yes, I never was a ninja at reversing!' then do it. If you need to act slightly bemused when they say you could just about squeak past if you took five minutes, act bemused.

They will find it really boring and will probably decide it's less hassle just to park normally on the street.

If you can’t speak openly to them, then this is a good approach. Good luck Op as that’s very annoying.

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 14/10/2025 20:02

I have a similar problem so understand the frustrations and I’m always concerned I’ll be blocked in. I stopped using my drive because of this but then people park over it as they know it’s not in use.

id knock on their door. Welcome to the neighbourhood. Can you park your car a little further back please as it’s causing a small issue getting out. Thanks.

Buffs · 14/10/2025 20:06

SarahAndQuack · 13/10/2025 21:22

This is where you gain nothing by being a good driver. Yes, you can get your car past them, but it is awkward. And they barely know you. So, from now on, you are sweet cheery neighbour lady who's not the world's best at reversing. 'So sorry, lovely new neighbours, I can't get past your car!' And repeat, over and over, until they get the message that it's in the way. If you need to throw in a wistful 'yes, I never was a ninja at reversing!' then do it. If you need to act slightly bemused when they say you could just about squeak past if you took five minutes, act bemused.

They will find it really boring and will probably decide it's less hassle just to park normally on the street.

This! Great solution.

sloshis · 14/10/2025 20:07

Just knock and ask them to park further back. You can soften it by saying you’re struggling to get out and worried about hitting their car. I wouldn’t start any tit for tat parking.

LouiseK93 · 14/10/2025 20:22

I thought YBU at first but the diagram totally shows your YNBU. That is way too narrow to get out! I would just talk to them (I know its hard I would be nervous to do so as well)

Original poster
soorty · 14/10/2025 20:25

SprayWhiteDung · 14/10/2025 19:57

Beautiful though I'm sure it is, it rather sounds like the tree is the main issue here - quite probably planted before there were many/any cars around for it to ever cause a problem!

Yes the street is lined with trees - as you said beautiful but causes issues and my car getting shit on by 10 pigeons a day.

OP posts:
TeenLifeMum · 14/10/2025 20:27

What do the deeds say? Our set up is weird because our shared bit of driveway is for access only and we can’t block it.

Hmm1234 · 14/10/2025 20:58

From the diagram the problem is the tree whoever it belongs to needs to cut it back so you have enough space/ can clearly see out of your side

SprayWhiteDung · 14/10/2025 21:18

Hmm1234 · 14/10/2025 20:58

From the diagram the problem is the tree whoever it belongs to needs to cut it back so you have enough space/ can clearly see out of your side

It's most likely a very old tree - maybe with a TPO on it - and looked after by the council.

They won't entertain cutting it back seriously or down completely for a second.

Shotokan101 · 14/10/2025 21:34

soorty · 13/10/2025 17:59

I shared a driveway and my lovely neighbours have moved out. The new people seem nice but they’ve parked their car on their side of the driveway and parked their second car behind it. They’ve parked like this every day so it’s not a one off.

It makes it so difficult for me to leave my driveway, I have to manoeuvre around their car and 9/10 times a car parked on the opposite side of the road to my driveway and a huge tree (on the pavement) on the other side of me. It’s a very narrow old street.

I know the solution is to talk to them but I really don’t want to have to put in a complaint to them after just a few days. Aibu to say something? Would you react ok to this?

No need to make it "a complaint" - just have a quick chat about the problems you are having.

BTW it sounds like you might also be due a chat with whoever lives across the road about the effect parking on the street directly opposite is causing you, sounds like they are causing at least part, possibly the majority, of your stated problems getting out of your driveway.... 🤔

Original poster
soorty · 14/10/2025 21:54

SprayWhiteDung · 14/10/2025 21:18

It's most likely a very old tree - maybe with a TPO on it - and looked after by the council.

They won't entertain cutting it back seriously or down completely for a second.

Show quote history

Completely right. I wouldn’t want the tree cut down at all. Plus there’s numerous trees in a line both side. So if they took down one then what’s to stop a request from someone else on my street.

OP posts:
Original poster
soorty · 14/10/2025 21:57

Majority of the houses opposite don’t have drives so there’s a lot of on street parking and it’s not the same vehicle every time. So as much as it would solve the problem I can’t stop people parking legally and I couldn’t keep looking for an owner of whatever car it is each time I want to leave my driveway,

OP posts:
Original poster
soorty · 14/10/2025 21:59

TeenLifeMum · 14/10/2025 20:27

What do the deeds say? Our set up is weird because our shared bit of driveway is for access only and we can’t block it.

There’s nothing to dispute about the actual driveway, I park my side and they park their side.

The issue is them parking directly behind their car which means I have difficulty as there’s an obstacle all three directions.

OP posts:
TeenLifeMum · 14/10/2025 22:07

I’d go and ask them to move, every time. Friendly does it. “Oh you’ve blocked my drive again, can you come and move your car?”

Lovemycat2023 · 14/10/2025 22:56

I expect they haven’t even realised it’s causing a problem, and sure they will be fine. I had a situation with a new neighbour who was leaving a heavy door to slam closed. Just asked if they could close it quietly and all good. Most people are reasonable but in the own worlds (like I am) and just don’t realise.

Ratafia · 14/10/2025 23:32

You're going to have to point out to them gently that, because of the tree, they're leaving you with very little room to manoeuvre- and ask nicely if they could park somewhere else.

carchi · 15/10/2025 07:43

Am I getting it wrong? but from your diagram it looks like they are blocking a dropped kerb. You are not supposed to park on a dropped kerb. If they are then that's totally unreasonable on a shared access.

dimsiaradcymraeg · 15/10/2025 08:06

I would park on the road as they have. They might get the picture then!

HavingYouTubeDoesntMakeYouAFilmmaker · 15/10/2025 11:34

Hmm1234 · 14/10/2025 20:58

From the diagram the problem is the tree whoever it belongs to needs to cut it back so you have enough space/ can clearly see out of your side

Imagine thinking a tree is a problem, not an illegally parked car.

Report it to the council and feign ignorance if they question you, or ask them to move it a metre.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 15/10/2025 11:38

Well you absolutely need to speak to them about it. Better now than too far down the line when it will be even more awkward.

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