Page 4 | Neighbour damaged his car on my drive

ShawnaMacallister · 10/02/2026 17:09

He needs to learn how to reverse onto a drive. It's pretty basic as skills go.

Allseeingallknowing · 10/02/2026 17:11

OchonAgusOchonOh · 10/02/2026 17:06

He's obviously a dick for the way he behaved. Totally his fault and you are obviously not legally liable.

However, your behaviour was also totally dickish. You said: 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.

So basically, because you didn't want to start any drama, you did something that was pretty much guaranteed to cause drama and a fall out. It would have been much simpler to just talk to them.

The neighbour doesn’t sound like the sort OP could have a reasonable conversation with! In any case she shouldn’t have to ask him not to use her drive- he’s the one in the wrong!

Teasandcoffees · 10/02/2026 17:11

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?

Maybe he should have looked where he was going. Why didn't he speak to the OP in the first place.

Original poster

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 17:11

There's a mix of responses here, just like I expected!

To clarify, he doesn't have to use my drive to get in and out of his. He has another choice, which is to reverse onto his drive and pull out when he leaves, but he won't do that. The blue car wouldn't stop him from doing it. So, he could easily park on his drive without needing to use mine, and he wouldn't have to park on the street either. I agree that the blue car is parked in a silly spot, but he's not the one using my property.

When I saw him doing it, I thought about talking to him, but as I said before, I didn't know him and wasn't sure how he'd respond. The fact that he did it at all shows he's a bit entitled. I've never thought to do something like that, and I've been driving for 15 years. It's fine if someone has given you the go ahead, but I think it's wild to just assume it's okay without asking first. I know the previous owners didn't mind, but that's not me, and everyone is different.

Some people are saying I should have said something to him. I did consider it, but his reaction has shown that he's aggressive and unreasonable. Plus, what if it had been something else? Like a statue or a plant? My car? Would I have to check with him then to make sure it's alright? Where does it end? Shouldn't it be the person wanting to use or borrow someone else's property who asks for permission, rather than the other way around? I think he knows he's been cheeky by using my property without checking first, which is why he claimed the rocks were half on the pavement (not true). The rocks are fine by the way haha!

OP posts:

Climbingrosexx · 10/02/2026 17:12

It happened on private property so if you haven't heard from him it's probably because he doesn't have a leg to stand on and the police/solicitor sent him away with a flea in his ear

Smartiepants79 · 10/02/2026 17:12

I really don’t understand why anyone cares if a neighbour if briefly using the end of their driveway to turn their car round. What actual impact does it have on you??

OchonAgusOchonOh · 10/02/2026 17:13

Kalebstractor · 10/02/2026 17:08

Nonsense. It turns out he's an aggressive, entitled twat and he wouldn't have reacted well if she'd told him first.

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He may have reacted perfectly reasonably if she had used her words and spoken to him. His car is damaged (his fault). People can overreact to things like that. He may be an aggressive, entitled twat or he may have uncharacteristically overreacted when he realised he now has a hefty repair bill that would not have occurred if the op had actually spoken to him.

I don't understand this aversion people on MN have to discussion and speaking to people. It seems like the default reaction to anything you don't like is to start a stealth war of passive aggression.

diddl · 10/02/2026 17:13

Why do posters think it was up to Op to check if she could put rocks on her drive?

Did he ask her if she minded if he used it?

What does the fact that previous owners didn't mind have to do with anything?

Unless he knew that Op had seen him using it perhaps she should have denied all knowledge!

raspberets · 10/02/2026 17:13

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 17:11

There's a mix of responses here, just like I expected!

To clarify, he doesn't have to use my drive to get in and out of his. He has another choice, which is to reverse onto his drive and pull out when he leaves, but he won't do that. The blue car wouldn't stop him from doing it. So, he could easily park on his drive without needing to use mine, and he wouldn't have to park on the street either. I agree that the blue car is parked in a silly spot, but he's not the one using my property.

When I saw him doing it, I thought about talking to him, but as I said before, I didn't know him and wasn't sure how he'd respond. The fact that he did it at all shows he's a bit entitled. I've never thought to do something like that, and I've been driving for 15 years. It's fine if someone has given you the go ahead, but I think it's wild to just assume it's okay without asking first. I know the previous owners didn't mind, but that's not me, and everyone is different.

Some people are saying I should have said something to him. I did consider it, but his reaction has shown that he's aggressive and unreasonable. Plus, what if it had been something else? Like a statue or a plant? My car? Would I have to check with him then to make sure it's alright? Where does it end? Shouldn't it be the person wanting to use or borrow someone else's property who asks for permission, rather than the other way around? I think he knows he's been cheeky by using my property without checking first, which is why he claimed the rocks were half on the pavement (not true). The rocks are fine by the way haha!

Completely agree but there will always be some defending the indefensible. I suspect they’re also entitled.

Changename12 · 10/02/2026 17:13

If he failed to spot the rocks, he could have equally failed to spot a toddler bending down.
There could be anything on the drive. He needs to look.

HelplessSoul · 10/02/2026 17:14

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 16:16

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?

Your neighbour is a fucking incompetent driving cunt and it serves him right that his car is damaged.

You dont need to tell anyone what you do on your property.

If he hassles you, call the police and tell him to fuck off and kick rocks - literally.

Do not engage with this oxygen thief.

YourLoyalPlumOP · 10/02/2026 17:15

lghtnght · 10/02/2026 16:16

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?

Ha. Tell him to please send you a lawsuit regarding it

hed get laughed out of court.

don’t worry. This is nothing. But do you have home insurance as this will help if you need legal advice etc

Allseeingallknowing · 10/02/2026 17:15

babylamb4 · 10/02/2026 17:07

This is the problem with people not wanting to upset the new neighbours, they then get walked over. This could have been solved if you had just opened your mouth in the beginning and told him not to reverse on the drive in the first place.

Unbelievable- not the OP’s fault. The neighbour sounds like a piece of work, not likely to respond well to her request, he sounds boorish and entitled.

YourLoyalPlumOP · 10/02/2026 17:16

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?

Ha.

this is comedy genius!!!

OchonAgusOchonOh · 10/02/2026 17:16

diddl · 10/02/2026 17:13

Why do posters think it was up to Op to check if she could put rocks on her drive?

Did he ask her if she minded if he used it?

What does the fact that previous owners didn't mind have to do with anything?

Unless he knew that Op had seen him using it perhaps she should have denied all knowledge!

Of course she doesn't need to check with him. However, it was a passive aggressive response to his behaviour. Speaking to him first would have been the mature way to handle it.

UncannyFanny · 10/02/2026 17:17

Well you’re not the previous owner. You don’t have to let him walk all over you like they did. Stick to your guns with this. People like him tend to be a lot more careful of you and have more respect for you in the long run for standing up to them because they aren’t used to it. They are used to doing what they want and not being challenged. That’s all changed now be a you aren’t the previous owner. And good job too!

raspberets · 10/02/2026 17:17

OchonAgusOchonOh · 10/02/2026 17:16

Of course she doesn't need to check with him. However, it was a passive aggressive response to his behaviour. Speaking to him first would have been the mature way to handle it.

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Using someone’s drive which belongs to someone you don’t even speak to is vey passive aggressive.

YourLoyalPlumOP · 10/02/2026 17:18

saraclara · 10/02/2026 16:40

Surely you knew that this might happen when you put the rocks there. And from his seating position and angle through the rear view mirror, I very much doubt that he could have seen them.

So yes, he shouldn't assume that he can use your drive, but if you preferred him not to, you should have said so rather than take action that you knew could damage his car.

Honestly

these replies are the best thread I’ve ever read

ha. Crying from these responses .

MsSquiz · 10/02/2026 17:19

This is hilarious! I would have asked if I could go with him when he speaks to the solicitor so I could see their reaction! 😂

”and as I reversed my car onto someone else’s private property, without their permission, the rocks they have have placed on their property have damaged my car”

“ok”

”so what should we do?”

”well I’d probably stop driving on their property, if I was you”

he’s an idiot, what would he do if you were to install gates, demand you leave them open for him?!

YourLoyalPlumOP · 10/02/2026 17:20

NotAnotherScarf · 10/02/2026 16:41

There's a difference between walking across the grass, flower beds etc at this time of year in particular to putting two wheels on a driveway

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Honestly. Our office is loving these. More please!

Hellohelga · 10/02/2026 17:20

I’ve turned around in peoples drives on narrow road many times - often when I’ve gone the wrong way and need to turn around. I don’t crash into any rocks because I look first. Shame he didn’t do the same.

plumclafoutis · 10/02/2026 17:20

OchonAgusOchonOh · 10/02/2026 17:13

He may have reacted perfectly reasonably if she had used her words and spoken to him. His car is damaged (his fault). People can overreact to things like that. He may be an aggressive, entitled twat or he may have uncharacteristically overreacted when he realised he now has a hefty repair bill that would not have occurred if the op had actually spoken to him.

I don't understand this aversion people on MN have to discussion and speaking to people. It seems like the default reaction to anything you don't like is to start a stealth war of passive aggression.

Show quote history

Used her words is such a patronising phrase. OP is an adult not a toddler. If you left it out you would have had a perfectly good sentence.

diddl · 10/02/2026 17:20

Speaking to him first would have been the mature way to handle it.

The way he spoke to Op first?

Dartmoorcheffy · 10/02/2026 17:21

I live in a pretty tight end of a cul de sac. We all have to slightly reverse on each other's drives. It doesnt cause an obstruction or problems for anyone for the few seconds it takes. Really not worth falling out over when you are neighbours is it.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 10/02/2026 17:21

raspberets · 10/02/2026 17:17

Using someone’s drive which belongs to someone you don’t even speak to is vey passive aggressive.

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I don't think I would describe that as passive aggressive. I would describe is as entitled at worst, thoughtless at best. Definitely not appropriate bahaviour.

However, a passive aggressive response is always going to result in an escalation whereas a conversation could resolve the situation quite easily. If it didn't resolve the situation, then putting something on the driveway would potentially be appropriate.