Neighbour damaged his car on my drive

[lghtnght]

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?

Haha, well done @lghtnght not exactly rocket science but he got there in the end

I wish I knew. I so would.

Result!

But, I'm curious, isn't it the same problem in reverse? Doesn't he need to put the front of his car onto your drive in order to get the right angle to back onto his? 🤔

(I am giving this thread waayy too much headspace 🤣🤣🤣)

Throw burgers on it at night, consistently, so they know where to come.

They will prefer to poo on a conspicuous or raised surface, such as a doorstep or path.

With luck the neighbour will start to pee round his garden to discourage them.

Can you still get those big garden gnomes with a sensor that pull their pants down when you go past? I’m sure one would look lovely on the end of your driveway

Did you also buy some old rope?

Yay 🙌

This. Unless OP has a history with that neighbour? I personally don’t understand why s/he didn’t just talk to him.

“please don’t use my drive.“

“I’ll put some rocks on my drive. Just wanted to let you know so you don’t damage your car.“

was OP obligated to do so? No. But having a good (or at least not antagonistic…) relationship with your neighbours is worth a lot…

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Did you read the thread? She hadn’t met him, only been there a few months. He just presumed he could continue as he did with the previous neighbour . Even if she had spoken to him he would not have liked her saying she didn’t want him using her drive. He was aggressive towards her when he came round.

Oh please let him call the police and solicotor - and let us know on here how he gets on with that!
I probably would have gone to say something before putting the rocks down to warn him but you absolutely were also in your right not to.

Sounds like the problem is solved-hopefully!

Is it possible that the continued use and access across the OP’s driveway could actually have a real impact in that, after an extended period of time, it could set up a legal right to do so? If so, it’s not petty at all to stop it, but presumably would need to be more formally addressed? Does anyone know, could be important for many in the same situation.

I've seen them used as edging for driveways, but also at the end of driveways as a visual reminder that it's private property.

Surgical gloves and a catapult?

Presumably she thought he'd use his eyes and see them? That's why we have windows and mirrors in cars. So we can see where we're driving and avoid hitting obstacles.

Op can you share a pic of the rocks? Show the doubters they aren't painted in camo paint against your lush green lawn and it's no wonder the poor lamb didn't see them. ..

Exactly this.

He shouldn't have been on your driveway, end of. Can't see what you've done wrong. As the driver of the car it is my responsibility not to run over big rocks or cats or small children.... He is in the wrong.

The thread has covered this many, many times and the OP was not the one in the wrong!

Some of the posts accusing the op of not being neighbourly or being passive aggressive, I dont get that. Surely the onus on the talking is on car man?

Scene 1... op moves into new home. Neighbour calls to say "Hi I'm Jim across the way, welcome, its really tight getting in and out, would you have any objection to me using the top of your driveway?"

Op thinks meh, what's the harm

Scene 2....Op is there 3 months. Jim across the way neither acknowledges her presence when he sees her, doesn't say good morning or kiss my arse. Yet Jim happily uses Ops drive to get in and out.

Yeh bloody right my petty levels would have me decorating my drive with some nice fancy rocks to prevent Jim being so entitled. Not to damage, but to prevent. If Jim cant look when hes reversing its his tough titty.

Op well done.

This

I can still agree it was a passive aggressive things to do can’t I?

You can say whatever you like.

Its car man who is aggressive and totally in the wrong. If hed approached op and asked she may have had a totally different attitude. He got aggressive because he damaged his car... he shouldn't have been on her property.

I've also seen people put them on grass verges to stop cars parking on them.