Page 10 | Neighbour damaged his car on my drive

lghtnght · 2026-02-10T16:16:50+00:00

I moved into my new house 3 months ago and after a few weeks, I noticed that the neighbours across the street were reversing onto my property when they left their house. The road is pretty narrow, so they can't really turn around without reversing onto my drive. Plus, another neighbour parks his car (in blue) on the pavement by their house, which makes it harder for them to pull forward and turn around. It would be much easier if they just reversed onto their own drive and drove out from there. I don't know why they haven't done that yet. I didn't want to start any drama or fall out with them. I had never talked to them before today and wasn't sure how they'd react if I brought it up, so last weekend I decided to put some garden rocks in the corner instead. Just to clarify, they're on my drive, not on the pavement, in case anyone wonders. So, the neighbour knocked on my door earlier and said that his car got damaged because of the rocks. He insists that they were half on the pavement (not true) and half on my drive. He asked why I didn't tell him I was putting them there so he could avoid driving over them. He said if there was a problem, I should have just talked to him. I told him it's my drive, on my property. Why would I need to inform him? His car wouldn't have been damaged if he wasn't using my drive… He got really aggressive with me, saying that the previous owners never had any issues and that he's going to call the police and a solicitor about the damage to his car. I haven’t heard anything since. I can't believe I'm even writing this. I’m not sure what to do now! I do feel a bit intimidated by him. Am I being unreasonable?

BlimeyOReillyO · 10/02/2026 18:46

NotAnotherScarf · 10/02/2026 16:29

Wow can't believe the replies here. So left me get this straight, to get off his drive, which he parks on rather than blocking the road further, he drives on your drive. And instead of talking to him about it, you stick rocks in the way to stop him.

Firstly, in what way is he inconveniencing you? Yes he's driving on your drive but he'd have to drive for about a thousand years before wearing it out. He's parked so that people can get along the street and needs to use your drive because someone isn't as considerate.

Secondly, why didn't you speak to him if you are so upset and let him block the road instead.

Thirdly, yes the damage is down to him, he drove into a stationary rock, even if it was on the pavement. But bloody hell mate, what is so difficult about being a good neighbour and letting him just drive into your drive...are you that petty?

Did you miss the bit about it being easier to reverse onto his own drive?

Unusualdog · 10/02/2026 18:49

Yabvvu. Why on earth would you put rocks out? Why not let your neighbour reverse onto your drive? I’m very glad you’re not my neighbour

maudelovesharold · 10/02/2026 18:49

I would suggest to him that If he can’t see a pile of rocks on the drive and manoeuvre his car accordingly, then perhaps he shouldn’t be in charge of a vehicle. The pile of rocks could have been a child. Also to all those saying it doesn’t put the op out to let the neighbour use her drive - ever heard the saying ‘give them an inch and they’ll take a mile’? Next thing you know, there’ll be a thread about the cf parking on the op’s drive. Sometimes you have to assert your boundaries!

Unusualdog · 10/02/2026 18:51

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:29

A few people have said the same thing, and I’m genuinely confused by it. Why should I need a reason to not want a stranger using my driveway? It's my drive, my property, which I paid a lot of money for. Isn't that reason good enough?

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Because that would be the neighbourly thing to do. It would mean you were behaving in a positive manner towards building a community together. I guess with your attitude these concepts are far beyond you

ScupperedbytheSea · 10/02/2026 18:52

You can put whatever you want on your drive, nothing to do with him. He's entirely responsible for not reversing into stationary objects.

The fact he got aggressive tells you what kind of person he is, so fuck him.

Ring doorbell and ignore him. If he says anything aggressive/rude in future, keep a record, and report to non emergency number.

Original poster

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:55

Turtlebed · 10/02/2026 18:39

I'm not denying you have every right to ask him not to do it, it is your property. I suppose i'm trying to understand, if it has no impact you, what is the big deal? We live in communities, we have to coexist with other people, sometimes it's a bit of give and take.
I do think the neighbour was also being a dick to you BTW.

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To me, it really comes down to the fact that he’s not contributing towards the upkeep of the driveway. At the end of the day, I didn’t buy a house with a shared drive. I bought a house with a private drive that I’m responsible for maintaining. Ok, the wear and tear might not show up right away - it could be 10 years down the line, but it’s still wear and tear, regardless, caused by someone I don’t know (this man didn’t even say hello to me for 3 months but was happy to use my property), who doesn’t live here and isn’t contributing to the expenses. If he ends up causing any damage, is he going to cover the costs? I’ll let you decide 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:

Allseeingallknowing · 10/02/2026 18:55

maudelovesharold · 10/02/2026 18:49

I would suggest to him that If he can’t see a pile of rocks on the drive and manoeuvre his car accordingly, then perhaps he shouldn’t be in charge of a vehicle. The pile of rocks could have been a child. Also to all those saying it doesn’t put the op out to let the neighbour use her drive - ever heard the saying ‘give them an inch and they’ll take a mile’? Next thing you know, there’ll be a thread about the cf parking on the op’s drive. Sometimes you have to assert your boundaries!

Exactly! You set a precedent and soon all and sundry will be doing it. I’m disgusted at comments criticising OP.

Original poster

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:55

SyntheticFluff · 10/02/2026 18:46

I didn't want to start any drama or fall out with them. And how is that working out for you?

If the whole thing bothered you that much you should've spoken to him the first time you saw him do it. Yes, he was in the wrong. Yes, he shouldn't have become aggressive but clearly he was annoyed that his car was damaged (yes, I know it was his own fault). He even said to you, 'why didn't you speak to me first?' (yes, I know OP shouldn't have had to speak to him because he might be a raving axe murderer or whatever, there's no chance of him simply being a normal man who has become used to this thing happening?). You never know, he might have actually said okay, point taken.

Obviously, people here like to jump to conclusions that he would immediately become violent and aggressive and tell OP to go fuck herself, but it's just as likely he would say, well, Doris before never minded, OP would say, well I'd rather you didn't thanks, and he'd say okay, fine 🙄 , then shut the door and have a bit of a moan to his wife about the new woman over the road but that would be the end of it. If he still did it, then the next step is rocks/fence/landmines, whatever.

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True @SyntheticFluff 🤦‍♀️😂

OP posts:

JadeSeahorse · 10/02/2026 18:55

Well I must be a weird one then but I don't want anyone using our drive for turning around.

A young neighbour along the road tried it a few times until she caught me giving her the evil eye although I'm sure she still does it when we aren't here. Grr!

Like a pp said, I wouldn't dream of doing it. Learn to do a 3 point turn for Heavens sake!
.

Original poster

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:57

Unusualdog · 10/02/2026 18:51

Because that would be the neighbourly thing to do. It would mean you were behaving in a positive manner towards building a community together. I guess with your attitude these concepts are far beyond you

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Do you let your neighbours use your driveway?

OP posts:

JazzyAmbs · 10/02/2026 18:57

I mean what would he do if you had visitors and your drive was full of actual cars? Drive into them too?!

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 10/02/2026 18:58

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 10/02/2026 16:44

This is batshit.

Nobody needs to use someone else’s drive to reverse; that’s just embarrassing. He should reverse on, or reverse round to the right away from the parked car.

Only a CF would think they need to use someone else’s drive to reverse, when the reality is they can’t drive properly. Clearly can’t use his mirrors either if he didn’t see them. Moron.

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I have a similar problem to that of the CF neighbour, but I think my solution to it is not that of a CF. (And as someone who took the advanced driving test I suspect I am not too bad a driver.)

In order to reverse onto my drive so that I can get out easily forwards when the car's engine is cold, I need to go forwards into the drive opposite mine before reversing in a straight line across the road. If I can't do that (say she has a visitor whose car is already on the outside end of her drive) I have to back and fill repeatedly to get lined up right for my manoeuvre. So the first time I saw the neighbour who lives opposite, I asked her permission to use the very end of her drive when I was parking, and she gave it. Since then, about once a year when we happen both to be outside at the same time and I think of it, I will ask her, or her husband, if it is still ok. So far it always still has been. If at some point they say they would rather I don't any more, or if someone new moves there who does mind (obviously I will ask any new person who moves there), I will just have to do the fifteen-or-so point turn needed to get into my drive past the parked cars.

I literally cannot imagine how anyone would think they were entitled to do otherwise, and simply use someone else's property as if it were their own and without asking.

Maybe CF neighbour wasn't taught as I was when I was learning to drive that if possible, you should always reverse into a drive so you can go out forwards with better visibility? It was one of the things my driving instructor imparted as a life-tip.

How awful for the poor little fellow if you got a skip put onto your drive one day and he reversed into it because he didn't see it.... He might damage his car.

1apenny2apenny · 10/02/2026 18:59

The neighbourly thing to do would be to not use your drive in the first place. In the event you’ve done it with another neighbour but someone new moves in then the neighbourly thing to do would be to go and speak to that new neighbour. Introduce yourself, welcome the new neighbour and ask if they mind you using their drive occasionally as it’s easier to turn.

Why are people so rude and entitled?

You’ve absolutely done the right thing. I would have laughed at him with his police and lawyer, what a silly little man.

Our new neighbours thought was ok to park on our drive as we had ‘plenty of room to get out’. Nah don’t think so mate especially as he also thought he could intimidate me.

HelplessSoul · 10/02/2026 18:59

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:57

Do you let your neighbours use your driveway?

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Really dont get why people are gunning for you OP.

You can bet that these same people would be up in arms if they were in your situation.

Ignore them. Not worth responding to - just like that cunt neighbour of yours.

Ignore and carry on as you were 👍

Daleksatemyshed · 10/02/2026 19:00

So he says the previous owner didn't have a problem with him using their drive, well that's fine, but it's your drive now. Instead of being entitled about it why didn't he come over and ask you?

DuchessofStaffordshire · 10/02/2026 19:00

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:57

Do you let your neighbours use your driveway?

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I honestly think that adults just need to learn to use their words in situations like this and at least attempt to reach a diplomatic conclusion.

viques · 10/02/2026 19:02

NotAnotherScarf · 10/02/2026 16:29

Wow can't believe the replies here. So left me get this straight, to get off his drive, which he parks on rather than blocking the road further, he drives on your drive. And instead of talking to him about it, you stick rocks in the way to stop him.

Firstly, in what way is he inconveniencing you? Yes he's driving on your drive but he'd have to drive for about a thousand years before wearing it out. He's parked so that people can get along the street and needs to use your drive because someone isn't as considerate.

Secondly, why didn't you speak to him if you are so upset and let him block the road instead.

Thirdly, yes the damage is down to him, he drove into a stationary rock, even if it was on the pavement. But bloody hell mate, what is so difficult about being a good neighbour and letting him just drive into your drive...are you that petty?

Yes OP how very dare you buy a house and then expect other people to respect your property! Honestly, you’ll be telling us next you told your neighbours they weren’t allowed to come in your house to use your heating to save themselves the inconvenience and expense of turning their own on. 😐

ScupperedbytheSea · 10/02/2026 19:03

To everyone telling OP she's not being neighbourly.

It was entirely her neighbour's responsibility to introduce himself and ask her if it would be OK for him to continue to use her drive.

She wasn't sure how he'd react, which is code for suspecting he'd be a dick about it.

Most women immediately know which men are going to be dicks for the thousands of micro body language signals they give out from 50 feet away. And the fact he never even bothered a polite hello.

So bollocks to him.

raspberets · 10/02/2026 19:03

DuchessofStaffordshire · 10/02/2026 19:00

I honestly think that adults just need to learn to use their words in situations like this and at least attempt to reach a diplomatic conclusion.

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The crap driver suddenly found his words didn’t he! 3 months later and just to be an arsehole to the OP.

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 10/02/2026 19:04

I think you should counter-sue him for damaging your rocks.

Turtlebed · 10/02/2026 19:04

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:55

To me, it really comes down to the fact that he’s not contributing towards the upkeep of the driveway. At the end of the day, I didn’t buy a house with a shared drive. I bought a house with a private drive that I’m responsible for maintaining. Ok, the wear and tear might not show up right away - it could be 10 years down the line, but it’s still wear and tear, regardless, caused by someone I don’t know (this man didn’t even say hello to me for 3 months but was happy to use my property), who doesn’t live here and isn’t contributing to the expenses. If he ends up causing any damage, is he going to cover the costs? I’ll let you decide 🤷🏼‍♀️

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Oh come on, the wear and tear from someone using your driveway for 2mins a day is basically zero. If they damaged anything with their car then they would be legally and financially responsible. But it's all ifs.

andthat · 10/02/2026 19:04

It’s absolutely irrelevant whether anyone thinks @lghtnght was being unreasonable to put the rocks on her drive or not. its totally her prerogative.

The neighbour might or like it.. but he can threaten her with the police and solicitors all he likes. It won’t get him anywhere.

raspberets · 10/02/2026 19:06

Turtlebed · 10/02/2026 19:04

Oh come on, the wear and tear from someone using your driveway for 2mins a day is basically zero. If they damaged anything with their car then they would be legally and financially responsible. But it's all ifs.

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How would that work out then? He’s trespassing, has not been given the green light but if he damages the OP’s property he’ll rush in to pay her?

Turtlebed · 10/02/2026 19:06

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 18:57

Do you let your neighbours use your driveway?

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I mean i do, I honestly couldn't care less when someone uses my driveway to turn around, it hadn't even occurred to me to be bothered.

Gallusoldbesom · 10/02/2026 19:06

I’d be adding planters, ornamental urns, shrubs etc, but then I’m petty that way! What a prat, I’d love to be a fly on the wall if he went to the police.