AIBU to feel that mny neighbours should actually use their driveway?

[Rumpel]

We live across from a couple who have 3 cars between the 2 of them. Fine no problem, however, they constantly park in the guest layby right outside our house. This would be fine now and again but it is all the time - even though they have enough room in their driveway for their own cars. I think this is really selfish and inconsiderate of everyone else who lives here - the space is supposed to be for guest/deliveries etc.

They even go away for weekends and leave the car in the layby - even though there is now a vacant space in their own driveway!

Am I being petty or what? It's getting to the point where it's really winding DH and I up. Some of our neighbours have tried talking to them about it but they say they pay their road tax so can park where they like.

Apparently they have done this for years - ever since they first moved in and the people who used to live in our house had arguments with them about it.

What do you think and what would you do?

I think it's not a feud if they are the bloody-minded, do-what-we-please types. However, you could take to parking your own car in the layby..... with a note in the windscreen 'please knock at number ## if you need this space for a visitor'. Maybe they'd get the message that way?

Park on their drive and see what happens

We have a similar problem. Loads of cars in the street and not enough spaces. Neighbours have 2 cars and off street parking which they never use. So they just park their cars in front of my house instead, leaving me to park about 2 streets away sometimes!

Not much you can do I'm afraid but agree it's selfish.

I always think it's odd when people don't use their off street parking when most people would do anything to be able to park by the tills at the supermarket. If you are a lazy arsey type, why not park on the drive?

In what way does it inconvenience you though?
Have you had trouble with delivery vans not being to access your property? If so on those days I would ask to them to move their car until the delivery is made.
Otherwise just stay out of it. Yes they are wrong to selfishly claim that area as their own parking space but it really isn't worth you and your husband getting really wound up about it.
Like you say neighbours have already tried a freindly approach with them and they are not willing to compromise.
If it is causing extreme trouble for turning/access etc then you could complain about this to the council and have the appropriate road markings applied to restrict parking on it.

If it was me I would wait till the offending vehicle had been moved then I would actually take my car off my driveway and park there myself (I can be very petty when I want to be)or if I was being very, very petty I would by another car just to park in that lay-by (just to prove my point!)

We have something similar - our neighour has a drive big enough for two cars and they have loads of visitors who park on the opposite side of the road to us - but usually right opposite our drive and it's difficult to get out, but even harder to get in as our drive is walled, really narrow and at a bit of a funny angle.

It drives me crazy - but I know they're parking on the public highway, and there's nothing I can do - but I end up ranting like Victor Meldrew to DH who just looks at me like I'm mad - but he can't drive, let alone reverse a people carrier into a narrow driveway - so what does he know? (and relax...).

I tried asking one of their visitors if she wouldn't mind moving a little bit once (I did it in my best and most polite and friendly voice) - she just gave me a load of abuse and went and got her mates to come and glare at me, which I thought was nice.

So I feel for you - YANBU - but I don't fancy your chances much.

Your neighbours are being really selfish, yes. However, if people have previously had polite words with them about it and they refuse to move it, then I don't think you have any better chance. You will just create a difficult neighbour relationship which is a nightmare so I would totally stay out of it unless it is significantly inconveniencing you often - of course you are in the right, but some people are unreasonable (and nasty).

Petty. What is a guest layby btw ? If there are no restriction signs they can park where they like.

Park in it yourself!

This irritates me about the people over the road from me. They have a van and two cars and could easily fir two vehicles on their drive.

However, at least one is always parked across their entrance which makes it a real PITA to get my car without without hitting one of theirs. Its especially difficult when my neighbours are parked right up to the edge of my dropped kerb.

It is doubly irritating as they usually back the van off their drive and right up the pavement towards mine to enable them to get it out.

However, I limit myself to seething to myself as they're not really doing anything wrong, just being inconsiderate.

Hmm yeah. We have started parking in the space now and again (God I do feel pathetic though) and DH said if we could afford it he would buy a banger and park it right outside their window (where their car is for us).

Does drive you mad though when people are so bloody inconsiderate and self- centred!

I've never heard of a guest layby. It's just a parking bay isn't it, which sadly means anyone can park there.