Was I right to say what I did?

[andylaw79]

Pissed off one of the neighbours last night. They get regular visitors to their house so there is quite often a car parked outside our house, not a problem we only have one car and it's always kept on the drive. However, one visitor they get always blocks our driveway when they pull up, I'm not talking a little over hang that makes it a bit trickier to reverse but usually half the drive or more.

We had been out a couple of Sundays ago and when we got back this particular visitor's car was over the driveway. They were coming out of next door's so I tooted the horn, not a blast, just a toot to let them know I was waiting to pull the car onto our driveway. As I pulled into the drive I put my hand up to to thank him for moving. Got out the car and went to get the little-un' out of the back. His car window was open and I looked at him expecting a 'Oh, sorry about that" or just to acknowledge me got nothing, just a look like I was something he'd scraped off his shoe. I just thought how rude and was going to go back out and say something but the missus persuaded me not to.

Was putting the bins out last night and they were there parked over the drive again, the next door neighbours wife was there to so I think they were just leaving. So I said to the guy that was driving, "Excuse me, do you mind not parking over the driveway when you park up to visit?" Didn't raise my voice and was pleasant and polite with my request. Just got met with attitude. "Didn't even get out the car mate." I explained that wasn't the point but just got more attitude back so left it and went back inside.

A couple of minutes later our door bell rang and it was the neighbours wife in floods of tears and shaking about how upset she was about me and what I'd said. I apologized if I had unintentionally upset her in anyway but was not sorry about asking their visitor to stop parking across our drive.

Naturally my missus was pissed of at me for upsetting the neighbours but I think I was quite within my rights to ask what I did. Was I right to express by displeasure to the cars owner?

 

[DCLane]

IMO you were within your rights - and your legal rights. If they're blocking the drive and preventing you getting out they're also breaking the law.

I'm sure a legal bod will be along shortly to agree or to tell me I'm talking rubbish!

 

[CopperCyclist]

Yes, it's against the law if it's a dropped kerb, and it prevents access.

I agree, on the account you gave you absolutely did nothing wrong at all. I'd have done the same - although our neighbours are fantastic, and it wouldn't even get that far as I'm sure m neighbours would have told their visitor off!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

When people visiting me park across my neighbours drive I tell them to move and she does the same if one of her visitors tries to block my drive, so I would say your neighbours should be more considerate.

But then there are always the neighbours who dont really care and we have those round here as well.

 

[ianrauk]

We had the same problem when some new neighbours moved in. They had 3 cars between them and one of them was always blocking our drive so we couldn't get our car in or out. I lost count the amount of times I had to knock and ask. The woman of the house got very annoyed at me for knocking all the time asking them to move their car. I pointed out that all we want is for no one to park across our drive. is it so hard to understand or do? She said they don't and there is enough room. I then pointed to her daughters car which was half way across our drive. It then suddenly seemed to dawn on her why I was complaining. From then on we had no trouble. I even heard her say to one of her daughters boyfriends to move his car and say to him not to block other peoples drives.

 

[jonny jeez]

its got nothing to do with rights or law.

its human beings treating others like human beings.

I'm staggered you felt a need to even discuss it with them. You have successfully driven a wedge between your relationship with your neighbour that you will struggle to remove. Failure to do so can result in a lifetime of discomfort.

Very foolish move

Fix the problem immediately (before its too late), talk to your neighbour explain you had a crap day and were making a series of crap decisions (of which this was possibly one) and invite them ..and the errant parker over for drinks...make them your friends now before its too late or within 3 years you'll be one of those neighbours taking their neighbour to court over the height of their hedges.

My neighbours visitors park in all sorts of daft places and so do mine. I have "leant" my drive out to my neighbour to accommodate family visits and I often park on a neighbours drives when they are away (to help make their house look occupied).

 

[Silver Fox]

Was I right to express by displeasure to the cars owner?

Yes, in the circumstances you describe. What's the other option, just let people walk all over you.

Your neighbour's wife appears to have taken it badly though, were voices raised on both sides.

A couple of minutes later our door bell rang and it was the neighbours wife in floods of tears and shaking about how upset she was about me and what I'd said.

 

[fossyant]

You were right to tell them to move.

We've got pretty good neighbours and 'visitors' who realise our road is a bit narrow, so don't usually park inconsiderately. The only issue we get is when the local teams decide to play on the football field behind us, then double parking is done on the road that leads to ours, not a major issue, but you couldn't get emergency services down it.

 

[User482]

its human beings treating others like human beings.

Such as treating your neighbours with a modicum of courtesy and consideration?

 

[Archie_tect]

Talk to your neighbour and get it smoothed out Andy- they'll appreciate it and you'll feel better... life's short enough without having hassle over something that isn't life changing.

 

[asterix]

..

A couple of minutes later our door bell rang and it was the neighbours wife in floods of tears and shaking about how upset she was about me and what I'd said. I apologized if I had unintentionally upset her in anyway but was not sorry about asking their visitor to stop parking across our drive.

Naturally my missus was pissed of at me for upsetting the neighbours but I think I was quite within my rights to ask what I did. Was I right to express by displeasure to the cars owner?

They do say nothing dries faster than womens tears..

Mind you, our neighbours got in the habit of leaving a car outside our house over bank holidays. It wasn't theirs, looked like a company car (logo on). It just sat there and so any visitors of ours couldn't park nearby.

Never said anything, we just lived with it and they've stopped since. We did fall out with the neighbour at the back but he's dead now.

 

[andylaw79]

Such as treating your neighbours with a modicum of courtesy and consideration?

Was just thinking the same thing.

 

[andylaw79]

Yes, in the circumstances you describe. What's the other option, just let people walk all over you.

Your neighbour's wife appears to have taken it badly though, were voices raised on both sides.

No raised voices, I was polite but straight to the point.

 

[smutchin]

A couple of minutes later our door bell rang and it was the neighbours wife in floods of tears and shaking about how upset she was about me and what I'd said.

So she was already crying and upset before you'd even spoken to her directly? Sounds like it was her visitor that upset her, not you. And it's not you who needs to apologise.

d.

 

[andylaw79]

Talk to your neighbour and get it smoothed out Andy- they'll appreciate it and you'll feel better... life's short enough without having hassle over something that isn't life changing.

Was thinking of going round tonight to talk to them, they are really good neighbours and we've never had problems between us so her reaction a polite request took me a little by surprise.