Navigating the delicate dance of neighbourly relations can often lead to befuddling requests. While fostering a convivial atmosphere doesn’t necessarily mean becoming lifelong friends, it does involve creating a space where you don’t have to walk on eggshells, both within your own home and venturing out to the shops. Mutual respect often necessitates accepting requests from fellow residents, be it turning down the music, scheduling DIY projects for sociable hours, or preventing pets from turning someone else’s flowerbed into a playground. Most people willingly comply to maintain neighbourly tranquility. However, one woman found herself scratching her head after a neighbour demanded she move her car from the roadside, offering a peculiar rationale for their request.
On Reddit, she shared how she had recently moved into a ‘corner house’ in a new neighbourhood. Facing limited parking in front of her home, she found a convenient parking spot on the side road, ensuring it didn’t infringe on anyone else’s property. To her astonishment, her neighbour demanded she relocate her car, accusing her of ‘blocking their driveway’ – despite the fact that her parking spot was along the side of her own home and the neighbour’s driveway was, confusingly, across the street. Her account of the incident reads: ‘There’s not a lot of parking on the road in front of my house, but I have the whole side/street area to park. I decided to park there. Well, the neighbour doesn’t like that and demands that I move my car at that moment because I am blocking their driveway… across the street. Mind you, their family and everyone else in the neighbourhood are parked there. I completely forgot about it that night. The next day, I was walking by, and I saw they possibly called a tow company to say it was abandoned because my tyre and the road were marked with chalk. How do I deal with this crazy?’
Commenters on the woman’s post recommended installing a camera on her vehicle for peace of mind, given her suspicions about the neighbour potentially calling a tow service. They also advised contacting the authorities to educate her neighbour on the ‘concept of a public street’.
In the UK, parking across someone’s driveway is not an offence unless there are specific restrictions or signs prohibiting it. Even if a vehicle partially obstructs a dropped kerb, it is considered a driving offence, potentially resulting in a penalty of up to three points and a fine of up to £100. However, parking near a dropped kerb isn’t illegal, even if it limits access to a driveway. According to Confused.com, the police are unlikely to intervene in situations where parking over a dropped kerb prevents you from entering your driveway. But if it stops you from leaving, they may treat it as an anti-social behaviour offence.
The Crime and Disorder Act (1998) defines anti-social behaviour as: ‘Acting in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the defendant.’ This incident highlights the importance of clear communication and understanding when navigating parking regulations and neighbourly disputes. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor issues can escalate quickly, making it crucial to address them with reason and respect.
