Neighbour blocking driveway

[TamTims]

I have some new neighbours who are moving into the house in stages. Where i live parking is limited - each house has space for 1 or 2 cars on the drive but that's it really - there's limited space on the road itself without blocking in other cars.

Twice now the new neighbours have parked their car or van that fully blocks my drive so I can't get my car out.

I've asked politely not to block my drive but each time they have responded angrily saying they have to park there for convenience. I explained they could have asked me first to park there out of courtesy, and I would have agreed, but just blocking my drive without asking was unacceptable. Even after me asking them the first time not to block my drive without asking, they did it again later. On both occasions when I spoke to them they responded in disprectful and hostile manner. They thought they had the right to block my drive since they were moving in..

I'd never dream of blocking anyone's driveway and just don't understand the mentality of these people.

A previous neighbour regularly had visitors who'd block my driveway and I had to go round and ask them to move their car which was usually met with annoyance.

AIBU to expect people not to block my driveway under any circumstance? Why do people think its ok to block someone's drive?

This has really upset me, I live alone with my young daughter and don't want to be having issues with the neighbours.

Thank you..

You’re not petty OP. These threads always show up the entitled people are who think it’s fine to block a driveway without the common courtesy of asking first, and those who are always on the receiving end of such behaviour. My neighbours are the same. They think because my driveway and drop down kerb is wider than theirs that it means it’s ok to block some of it. It’s not. The day after they moved in the smug twat was sat across our driveway in his van while on his phone. No apology or even acknowledgement when I gestured that he needed to move so I could get in my driveway. It has got worse and worse so you’re right to stand your ground from day one. Hope things improve for you.

Oh, okay, I see they may only be doing this short term while they move stuff in? I do think that's a very different thing and you could be a bit more understanding. But if you genuinely think they are taking the piss then just use your own car to block to end of your driveway.

Are they moving furniture in and need to be close? I’d give them a bit of a break tbh if that’s the case.

Neighbour disputes aren’t great so try and be patient.

You're NOT being unreasonable. I've lived with same neighbours over 30 years, and occasionally maybe once a month he asks to park across drive...we generally always say yes, we know where he lives BUT he ALWAYS asks which it should be! They're rude not to ask.

Oh no that's awful - they sound selfish and horrible. Having experienced parkimg issues with a previous neighbour, I wanted to set expectations from the start, as it's not something I want to go through again. Life is hard enough.

Surely it's only a problem if you actually need out and they refuse to move. If you are in the house and just complaining about where they are parked because they didn't ask you first then that is unreasonable IMO.

That’s a great example of why it’s always better to ask.

But that isn’t OP’s situation. She has said she would have been happy to say yes if they’d asked. So her getting annoyed at them isn’t about them making her life more difficult, it’s about them not following a protocol that OP prefers.

Exactly, if they ask first then to me, that's fine and you have the option of saying yes or no. I used to have a neighbour who'd often put bags of rubbish in my wheelie bins. This was fine with me as she always asked first, but if she'd done it without asking, that would have been unacceptable in my opinion..

People calling me petty and an annoying neighbour, you obviously don't know me but I'd say im a very good neighbour. I'm kind considerate and will go out my way to help people, but I insist on being treared with respect.

Common courtesy is not a protocol.

That posters right though. Your only real annoyance is they didn't ask even though you admit you would have said yes. Presumably if they had asked and you'd agreed the situation would have been exactly the same they moved the vehicles as soon as they could. How would them have asking you have changed the situation you outlined?

No, you would just say that you need to leave and ask for them to move the van so you can get off the drive. Yes it’s an inconvenience but it’s not a regular occurrence, they’re moving house and unloading.

Moving-in day is definitely not the day to be falling out with your new neighbours. This really wouldn’t even annoy me. If they were doing it all the time once they were living there, then yes, I’d be annoyed, and you wouldn’t be one bit unreasonable to feel that way. But if they’re just unpacking their lorry and moving into their new home, I’d say let them at it. If you don’t need to get out, then what’s the problem? That’s just causing drama for drama’s sake. I’d probably be out asking them if they wanted a cup of tea or a hand with anything!

Sounds like your new neighbours are pretty horrible. Hope relations improve.

If they are just moving in I’d let it go.

If it becomes a repeated occurrence then that’s it.

From what you say they were moving stuff in and you torpedoed out kicking off
for the love of god why be so awkward
tbh if I were them I’d do it on purpose to piss you off
police or council won’t be remotely interested so you’ve no bullets in your gun
cost nothing to be neighbourly

Yes it is. All manners are protocol.

I am sure that all the people saying you are being unreasonable would not be so tolerant if it was happening to them.

Yes but the appropriate thing to do is tell the person and then they know they are going to have to go out early and give a warning that the van needs to be moved and a certain time. This is basic manners if you are inconveniencing someone

There’s a world of difference between abandoning a car blocking a drive to a logical reason where someone is unloading the contents of there home it’s obviously for a reason
couldn’t ever imagine being that awkward to make someone carry there stuff further than they had to for the sake of it
tbh I’d more than likely offer to make them a brew

I think you’ve handled it well OP and have done the right thing by making it clear from the off that it’s not acceptable to just park there - Most reasonable people would have asked first. I know when I moved into my property we had to use someone else’s parking space, but I went and knocked to ask and thanked them for it.

you are right

But they didn't know that.

It's the same with every thread in here, people just love jumping to assumptions and insults, I think they need to get it out their system because I hope people don't act like that in the real world.

. They might have parked there again already, so you'll have to knock again. And they'll have to move again

The law prohits blocking a car leaving their space to access the Highway .
But blocking your access to your space isn;t .

So you could end up shooting yourself in the foot if they move back and won;t move , If parking is limited anyway , the OP would be forced to park where she could ,

If there are two cars in the household then it wouldn't be an issue though.

And TBH, I wouldn't be wanting to start my car up to go round the block . Not good for the car battery etc.

No, which is why it’s better to ask.