Furious debate sparked after a woman asks how she can stop neighbours parking on her drive

A British mother has sparked a fierce debate after revealing her neighbours have started using her driveway to park their car without permission. 

The anonymous woman, from the UK, took to parenting forum Mumsnet to explain that while she doesn’t have a vehicle, she uses her driveway as an outdoor space for her flat.

Posting online, she said a family had recently moved in upstairs and started using her driveway for their people carrier. 

Her post sparked a wide range of responses, with some people saying the neighbours may be unaware it’s her space. Others were angrier, branding the neighbours ‘cheeky’, with some even suggesting the poster installs a bollard to protect the space.

A British mother has sparked a fierce debate after revealing her neighbours have started using her driveway to park their car without permission (stock image)

Posting on the site, she wrote: ‘I live in a city in a ground floor flat, no garden but I have a driveway that comes with my flat.

‘I don’t have a car so this Is why I don’t know if I’m being unreasonable.’

She continued: ‘My doorway and driveway gets a lot of direct sun so I like to dry my washing out there on racks when the weather is nice. 

‘I also like to sit out there on a chair with a cold drink and a book sometimes.

Posting online, she said a family had recently moved in upstairs and started using her driveway for their people carrier

Posting online, she said a family had recently moved in upstairs and started using her driveway for their people carrier 

‘A few months ago a family moved into the flat above me and have taken to parking their big people carrier on my drive.

‘They didn’t ask my permission, just assumed they were entitled to because I don’t have a car.

‘My frustration is when their car is there I can’t put my washing out, it also blocks a lot of the sun. They park it diagonally as well which is a pain  in the a*** for me getting my pram in and out.

‘They are out there at the minute cleaning and hoovering the car about 3ft away from my doorstep so I can’t sit out and enjoy the sun or have a bit of peace and quiet.

A number of respondents felt that the poster should have a casual conversation with the neighbours, who may not even know they shouldn't be parking in the space

A number of respondents felt that the poster should have a casual conversation with the neighbours, who may not even know they shouldn’t be parking in the space

‘Am I being unreasonable to be unhappy about them using my drive in this way? The poll results will determine what, if anything, I say to them.’

A number of Mumsnet users felt she was being unreasonable, and that a friendly conversation with the neighbour could potentially resolve the situation.

One asked: ‘Have you spoken to them about it being yours rather than shared? That may be the first step.’

Another agreed, writing: ‘Tell them it’s you’re private driveway and they don’t have permission to park there and to move their car. If you haven’t told them there may simply be a misunderstanding.’

And a third added: ‘If you haven’t told them then they probably assumed they would park there. You are being unreasonable for not even speaking to them.’

Several respondents felt that serious measures were needed - from calling the non-emergency police, to installing a bollard

Several respondents felt that serious measures were needed – from calling the non-emergency police, to installing a bollard

Others felt much more strongly, and believed that the neighbours know the space belongs to the poster, but choose to use it anyway.

One commentator said: ‘Why on earth are you putting up with this. Tell them to move and if you get attitude, call 101 for advice.

‘They are ignoring you to intimidate you.’

Another agreed strong measures were needed, writing: ‘Put your driveway up for rent on JustPark and set the price pretty high. Let them know.’  

And a third said a post would sort the issue, saying: ‘You can get a lockable post put in to prevent them using it. I did this for my tenant and it solved the issue as others can’t use it.

‘You don’t need to confront the neighbour just do it. Alternatively if they are renting contact both the management company and the landlord.’

While some suggested high stakes interventions, including calling the police and getting a locking post, others suggested a more subtle approach to keeping the neighbours out

While some suggested high stakes interventions, including calling the police and getting a locking post, others suggested a more subtle approach to keeping the neighbours out 

A group of posters made suggestions about how she could stop them from leaving their car in the space, using more subtle methods.

One Mumsnetter wrote: ‘Get some pots and plant them up; turn it into a ‘proper’ garden. The pots will block the drive to any hopeful Parker, and make your space much prettier for hanging out in.’

Another suggested: ‘Get a few heavy planters and put them at the end of your drive.’

And a further forum user was thinking along the same lines, writing: ‘Make the driveway into part of your garden – if it’s paved or tarmacked, ideally get that taken up so you can grass that area over. Alternatively go with the plant pots as suggested.’ 

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