[Athena E.]

AIBU 11.11.2024​

AIBU, which stands for 'Am I Being Unreasonable', is the perfect platform for sharing your thoughts and opinions! So, for today's AIBU discussion, we have this story from Reddit/Fuzzy_Battle:

Am I being unreasonable for losing my marbles at my neighbours for parking across my driveway?

'I live next door to a business and the workers keep parking across my driveway even though it is illegal. Once, someone was parked across my driveway for 3 hours, and another time I was late for surgery because I couldn’t get out of my house.'

'The workers keep making noise at 4:30 am and midnight even though they have noise restrictions between 5 pm and 7 am. Today, when I got home, I noticed someone (who has done this before) was parked across my driveway, so I simply parked behind them and walked inside. About half an hour later, they came back to their car and were parked in and didn’t like it.'

'I completely lost it at them. They told me I was a mean person and the nastiest homeowner on the street. I proceeded to call the police and formally complained to their CEO. Is this a normal reaction?'

'To note — I have been calling the local council, police, and complaining to the organisation for years. I can’t afford litigation. The reason the police finally came out this time is because the parker made a threat that they would come back and do “something”. At least it’s on the record now.'

'And not in the US, so I can’t have a car towed; this needs to be ordered by the police, and they are reticent to do that. Am I unreasonable?'

 

[Claus]

no

 

[richmich.4422@gmail]

A flat tyre or two may slow 'em right down. Don't complain anymore, just act.

NOVEZAR.

 

[Witty]

Can you park in their driveway blocking them in. Or in front of a delivery roller door. Take up one of their parking spots and see how they feel about it. Maybe a meeting with the boss might be one way to go. Best of luck.

 

[magpie1]

Four flat tyres....every day. They'll get the message. Plus a little note on the windscreen...."Don't PARK on my F****** Driveway."

 

[marni]

What an entitled lot. You have a right to access your property. I would say the police are not doing their job. Fine them. I am always scared of retaliation however, in the
Middle of the night you may come out second best with no proof

 

[darrellh]

No you are certainly not being unreasonable. They have no right at all to park in your driveway. It is for you and your guests, no one else. 5 minutes you would turn a blind eye to but not 3 hours.

 

[Barbara V]

I had to put huge boulders on my grass verge out side my house as the neighbours parked their four cars flat up against my fence on it and if they had had a visitor that car would be over part of my driveway . It didn't restrict pedestrians but prevented the vehicles being driven onto the verge, I maintained the verge but council could access from my driveway side if needed

 

[Mrtnst]

A few people on here need to consider the motto:
"Don't s*** in your own bed!"

Letting their tyres down or blocking their driveway or building entrance will put a target on you and your family and annoy the police, losing any support for your cause.

I suggest that you make records of the number plates of the illegally parked vehicles, with dates and times AND hours of noise breaches over a period of time (enough to prove it's regular law breaking and/or public nuisance).

Then send copies to the police, council.
(phone calls don't get noticed like a documented list of offences.)

You might also try sending details to the media (without the number plate details - defamation risk).

(Local papers and the current affairs shows love evil businessmen harrasing battling citizen stories.)

Bad public press and inspections from authorities are poison to businesses.

 

[BJM]

I would feel the same way

 

[Luckyus]

Get a valve remover?

 

[Angiparsons]

Four flat tyres....every day. They'll get the message. Plus a little note on the windscreen...."Don't PARK on my F****** Driveway."

...and make the little note the stickiest possible so it's really hard to get off!!