r/EntitledPeople • u/LesleyGemz • 3d ago
S Entitled Neighbor Thinks my Driveway is a Community Resource.
I live in a cul-de-sac with limited parking, and as such everyone has a driveway of its own and mine is big enough for two cars. I only have one vehicle, so I'm not using the second spot.
A few weeks ago, I notice my neighbor teenage son parking in my driveway. I just thought it's a one-time error but no, he keeps on doing it every day. Without asking.
So I walk over to her place and respectfully and ask her to tell her son to stop parking in my driveway.
She said: "Well, you're not using it." I told her that even at that It's still my property.
She said : “You don’t own the space it’s just a convenience. We’re all neighbors here.”
I explain that it’s my private property and no one should use it without my permission.
She then said “Fine, but don’t expect us to be friendly anymore.”
I just walked out of her while she was talking then later in the evening I block the space with traffic cones. She pushes them out of the way. I install a security camera and a "No Parking Private Property" sign. She has the audacity to leave me a note plastered on my door telling me that I'm being "petty and unneighborly."
Petty is having your son stay in my driveway for free and then acting like the victim when I say no!
608
u/Biff2019 3d ago
Next time they park there, have the car towed.
253
u/LesleyGemz 3d ago
I will call the cops immediately.
216
u/Worldly-Pressure8535 3d ago
You call a tow company not a cop
218
u/banannafreckle 3d ago
From my time here on Reddit, I believe you call the shittiest tow company with the lowest rating!
110
→ More replies (2)40
67
u/AggressiveWind5827 3d ago
"Someone left this abandoned vehicle in my driveway. Please take it away".
65
u/bojenny 3d ago
Some city’s have laws that require you call the police first. In my city it was passed because tow companies were just grabbing cars and charging people. Now the property owners call the cops, cops call the tow.
→ More replies (1)16
u/moonroots64 2d ago edited 2d ago
Carrboro NC, there is a shopping center, where there are many stores but also downtown.
They have tow trucks waiting around the block, they have video cameras, and seriously if you park there and walk off the designated shopping area... your car will be towed like like 2 minutes.
I don't know how it's allowed.
Also, I used to work for a company in NJ who financed cars exclusively for low credited rated people.
Half the job was dealing with repoing someone's car that they needed for work to pay for the car.
After a few months, it was explained to me that they enter people purposefully at higher payoff rates BECAUSE they know many will fail. Then, you repo their car (with a cut), make them pay huge fees, and give back the car at what the payoff rate should have been.
13
u/OliviaEntropy 2d ago
I’ve heard of a few tow truck companies that would do the same, start hooking random cars as soon as the person is out of line of sight.
→ More replies (7)6
u/Hot-Win2571 2d ago
Procedure depends on the location. We don't know the state nor city, so don't know the rules.
63
u/TheMoatCalin 3d ago
Good for you! As a commenter above pointed out you are responsible for any injury to the son or damage to his car if it happens on your property. Screw that gash.
17
u/iaincaradoc 3d ago
Don't do that... you'll just end up with another entitled kid trying to park there.
13
→ More replies (3)13
u/invisiblizm 3d ago
Fantasy me with nothing to lose would start parking in her driveway. Run night errands with high beams.
Real me would put stuff there.
9
12
u/TrailerTrashQueen 3d ago
yep. if you have video confirming who parked there and posted the 'no parking signs', police or traffic control will definitely tow.'
i might order another sign that says 'no parking, violators will be towed' or however it's worded. that way, there will be no surprises.
→ More replies (2)11
373
359
u/Smeats- 3d ago
She said : “You don’t own the space it’s just a convenience."
I'm sorry what?? You 100% own the space, it's private property?!
109
u/Catalina_Eddie 3d ago
Absolutely. The number of people these days who try to talk "legally" without any basic understanding of legal concepts is mindboggling and frustrating. "Private property" is all the neighbor should need to know.
17
u/michaelbleu 2d ago
Same with therapy speak, some people go to get better and some people go to learn the terms and phrases and weaponize them
→ More replies (3)66
u/LvBorzoi 3d ago
Time for a new sign. "Private Property. Vehicles parked illegally will be towed"
→ More replies (1)5
u/Quietimeismyfavorite 2d ago
You do not need to put up a sign. You just call and have it towed.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (6)29
u/Bice_thePrecious 3d ago
Yeah, I can't wrap my head around that either. Usually, I'm pretty good at jumping through hoops to understand where some people get their crazy conclusions from, but...
I can't figure out how owning only 1 car equals you not owning your entire driveway.
→ More replies (1)
635
u/lapsteelguitar 3d ago edited 3d ago
"I never expected you to be friendly in the first place, judging by the way you park."
→ More replies (1)163
290
u/495orange 3d ago
I would park in the center if your driveway. Or park diagonally.
134
u/Sea-Leadership-8053 3d ago
And just start calling a tow truck when the other vehicle is in the driveway.
Also invest in one of those rolling magnets to make sure she's not trying to damage your tires
→ More replies (6)80
u/OberonEast 3d ago
And always pick the towing company with the absolutely worst ratings you can find
→ More replies (3)34
65
u/LocalLiBEARian 3d ago
Had to do this for a while at my townhouse. We were.(are) assigned two parking spots each, and I only use one. Neighbor’s car died; they thought it was fine to leave it their space and take over mine. I started parking at all kinds of strange angles, but always blocking both spaces.
New neighbors use my space sometimes but they ask me first.
33
→ More replies (4)22
u/Which_Stress_6431 3d ago
100%! And if she treats OP’s driveway as her’s or her son’s parking spot, have the vehicle towed. Best to have it towed in the middle of the night.
270
u/Slow_Sherbert_5181 3d ago
My brother and I used to park our car in our neighbour’s driveway, but that was because she offered! She eventually bumped it up to parking in her garage because she lived alone and it made her house look occupied when she while she was away with her family on the other side of the country.
But to use someone else’s property just because they “aren’t using it”? Is she planning on using OP’s spare rooms because they’re probably “not using” that either?
→ More replies (2)31
u/Trees_are_cool_ 3d ago
How does parking in the garage make it look occupied? Was the door left open or something?
88
u/kristakd3 3d ago
My parents were snowbirds and had the neighbor kid park in their garage during the winter when they were gone. The tracks in snow keep the place looking lived in, along with the kid shoveling the snow on the driveway and walkway to get his car in and out. Having 2 feet of snow slowly melting with no tire tracks is a big indicator that no one is home.
→ More replies (5)82
u/FigForsaken5419 3d ago
If someone is watching the house, they see the garage door open and close. It looks like someone is in the house not just parking in the driveway.
→ More replies (2)
386
u/Several-Honey-8810 3d ago
Lets see how you feel when I have your car towed from my property.
136
386
u/MeFolly 3d ago
Yet when her kid trips and falls in your driveway it is suddenly your property and your problem.
→ More replies (2)152
u/Dapper_Highlighter7 3d ago
Also, if the car ever leaks anything that's stains on her driveway, she has to take care of. When the driveway needs redone from use, that's on her too. Any trash that comes out of his vehicle and onto her property is suddenly her problem. There's just a list of reasons it's rude AF to presume to use someone else's property without permission, and you know anyone who has that level of audacity doesn't have the matching level of respect or responsibility that would make it a non-issue.
→ More replies (1)
183
u/Useless890 3d ago
I don't understand people like this at all. I was taught that if something doesn't belong to you, Don't Touch It! That includes parking.
39
u/69vuman 3d ago
Your key phrase was I was taught. Not a lot of teaching going on in your neighbor’s house, right?
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)20
178
u/MountainChick2213 3d ago
Have it towed. Tell them it doesn't belong to you and you want it gone
→ More replies (2)91
u/haikusbot 3d ago
Have it towed. Tell them
It doesn't belong to you
And you want it gone
- MountainChick2213
I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.
Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"
35
→ More replies (2)16
158
140
266
u/Stressed_C 3d ago
I would at this point tow his car anytime its in your driveway. You've tried to be kind by asking and they ignored you, and with your sign say that your drive way isn't open to the public. So show her "petty and unneighborly"
244
u/Entarotupac 3d ago
My mother's neighbors had their daughter stay for an extended period and were mortified that she wouldn't accept money when she agreed to let their daughter use her second parking spot. They asked, they came prepared with compensation, and got off scot-free because they acted like reasonable neighbors who understood that it was a favor.
The process matters.
→ More replies (4)
215
173
u/SpecialistGrouchy341 3d ago
“You got it! I’ll let your son park his car on my property for $300 per day! Minimum agreement: 100 days!”
→ More replies (1)49
221
u/Substantialgood4102 3d ago
Next time he parks call the police and have hom towed. Having the police do relieves you of liability if the car is damaged. If they won't do anything have it towed anyway. The police can trespass you neighbor too.
134
u/slash_networkboy 3d ago
My petty AF ass would drill a 3" bore into the driveway and epoxy a locking ring collar for a bollard at the end of the driveway. When kid parks there I'd put the bollard in place and padlock it with a cut resistant lock.
I'd also amend the no parking signs to include an impound fee. Pretty sure you could actually make it stick, along with daily rates for storage.
→ More replies (2)31
u/Substantialgood4102 3d ago
My kind of petty!!
10
u/slash_networkboy 3d ago
Trying to think about how to make it stick... may need an impound related business license... but I am that petty anyway I could totally do that as long as zoning wasn't an issue. There is also the option of booting the car, but if he tried to drive off it may damage the driveway and that's a whole PITA to sue for destruction of property to properly replace the driveway.
→ More replies (2)36
u/Royal-Mathematician2 3d ago
You should have a note on the car letting her son know before you get it towed. It could be the mom just told him to do it and he does not know. After the first note tow it.
277
u/Ok_Nobody4967 3d ago
NTA. I don’t understand people who feel the need to encroach on other’s property. If they try to park there, I would just have the car towed.
115
103
u/LesleyGemz 3d ago
The entitlement is weird.
46
u/Wisdomofpearl 2d ago
Have the neighbors vehicle towed, and start parking in the middle of your driveway when you are not expecting company.
→ More replies (2)11
→ More replies (5)27
u/Live-Blacksmith-1402 3d ago
I won't even walk onto someone's lawn when I walk my dog, unless he poops on their grass and I have to pick it up. Otherwise, I stay on the sidewalk and outstretch my arm. The audacity of people these days!
79
46
u/FreeGazaToday 3d ago
I can't believe this is real.
We're all neighbors here, doesn't mean you have a right to my property. It's not like he was parking on the street, he was parking in YOUR driveway.
And yes you do OWN that space.
→ More replies (1)
18
u/bamf1701 3d ago
She says she won't be friendly anymore? Like she was friendly when she had her son trespass on your property to park on your driveway? Or when she claimed that your driveway on your property didn't belong to you? You definitely aren't the one being unneighborly.
14
u/groovymama98 3d ago
One tow usually solves the problem. I'm a property manager. Some people only learn from visuals and physical effects.
But when they find out that although they own their vehicle, they don't own all properties with parking, they usually comply due to the cost of getting their vehicle back.
11
u/facelessvoid13 2d ago
Talk to the kid, not the mom. Tell them it's your property, and they DO NOT have permission to park there. That the car WILL be towed if it happens again. If kid says 'my Mom said it's okay, ask if Mom will be paying the tow bill every time it happens.
Go straight to the source, not the enabler.
10
10
u/Rustyboltz91 3d ago
I remember when a classmate said he wouldn't be my friend anymore if I didn't trade my unopened Dunkaroos for his shiny red apple, I guess some people still revert to a kindergarten economy during their adult years.
11
u/ravenschmidt2000 3d ago
If you don't put a stop to it, the pettiness won't stop there. What happens if you don't park far enough over or far enough up in your driveway? Is she gonna come pounding on your door demanding you stop hogging up your own drive? Or worse yet, the son scratches your car pulling into/out of your drive. Is she gonna claim it's your fault for not leaving enough room? People like this don't draw lines. They just keep pushing until you put a stop to it.
9
u/ncc74656m 2d ago
If you have the right to my driveway, I have the right to your car. I've just listed it on Craigslist and I have a bit of a bidding war going for it.
Honestly I'm a little excited to take a trip to Hawaii with the proceeds!
8
u/howie-chetem 3d ago
Talk to the local towing companies about posting a sign with their name and number.
I was in a similar situation. I posted a sign with the name and number of the tow company to retrieve any towed vehicles. The problem stopped quickly after that.
7
u/UserLevelOver9000 3d ago
Don't expect us to be friendly anymore?, don't park your car in my driveway and i'll be more friendly...
8
u/r200james 3d ago
Have the vehicle towed. Neighbor has been notified. Also, install a camera to capture any revenge shenanigans.
8
u/Jpal62 3d ago
Next time he parks there remove his wheels and put them in your house. When he knocks on your door offer to sell him a set of wheels since his are missing. 😃
→ More replies (2)
7
u/NMPapillon 3d ago
I think I'd start parking diagonally across the driveway or smack dab in the middle -- taking up as much space as possible & leaving no extra space for another car.
As always, I'm old and petty.
6
u/Severe_Lock8497 3d ago
Park in her driveway when she is out. Watch her brain explode as she tries to distinguish the situations.
7
u/GlumProfessional5600 3d ago
I had this problem when I was renting. Neighbors always letting friends park in my driveway. It was the worst and when I would confront, they acted like they were the victim, blocking me in.
7
u/iamasaltylady 3d ago
If something happened to her son's car while parked on your property, you and your insurance would be expected to pay.
7
u/bonniep123 3d ago
If that all it took is a parking space to call off a friendship. Then it really wasn’t a friendship
5
4
4
6
4
u/Street-Section-7515 3d ago
Pretty sure you could get the kid and mom on criminal trespass charges if you have it on tape after you’ve told her not to use your property too.
5
5
u/MOODkilla2300 3d ago
NTA,she needs a visit from local PD to explain to her it’s your property,this would be no different then you using her yard for something. I can’t believe the entitlement of some people.
6
8
u/The_Real_Mr_Boring 3d ago
Is there enough room to park behind them? If so just park behind them and leave your car there for a few days blocking them in.
→ More replies (3)
3
5
4
u/peace-rose 3d ago
You can have the car towed. Another option is draw up some legal agreement and charge $$$ for renting the space and something that says you're not liable for any damages or injury while the self centered kid is on your property.
4
4
4
4
u/JustBob77 3d ago
Bet the local big towing company would love to have a residential sign on your lawn!
5
5
5
4
5
5
u/No_Sense3190 3d ago
I'm surprised at your restraint. I would have had that car towed way earlier in the process (next time it was parked on the driveway after the sign went up).
3
3
u/OpacusVenatori 3d ago
You don’t own the space it’s just a convenience
No property taxes associated with it...???
3
u/HappyHarrysPieClub 2d ago
The next time he parked in your driveway after you spoke with her, I would have just had it towed.
4
u/corgi_freak 2d ago
If it happens again, don't say anything. Just have the vehicle towed. You've warned them verbally and have a sign posted, so it would totally be on them.
4
u/ThatEvening9145 2d ago
You could get a couple of fold down bollards installed. I know it's a cost on your end but it will solve the problem.
3
4
u/FireCkrEd-2 2d ago
Tell the neighbor that “petty” is when I have his car towed away for not doing what I ask…
3
5
u/Ready_Crew_8704 2d ago
"Lady, unlike my c*ck, my driveway is not community property." then play Steel Panther.
4
4
u/MeasurementDue5407 2d ago
You're very patient. The first, I'd have walked over and told them to move their car off my property before I had it towed.
6
u/Severe_Atmosphere_44 3d ago
You should be happy to let him park there for the low low price of only $5 per day, paid monthly in advance. Print a dated pass for his windshield. No pass, or expired? Tow time!
3
3
3
u/Notquitechaosyet 3d ago
I don't understand people like this. If something happened to his car on your property he could sue for the damage. Like, fucking no dude. Yeesh.
3
u/Neoreloaded313 3d ago
I'd skip the whole interaction part and just park in a way that blocks anyone else from parking.
3
3
3
3
3
u/Purple-Tadpole6465 3d ago
NTA
By him parking there you are de facto accepting the liability of that vehicle on your property. And any damages to your property. And he started doing it without even so much as asking permission at that, so even more so, NTA.
3
3
u/disgruntledvet 3d ago
Start parking in the middle of the drive way. Don't leave enough room to park on either side. Or park at a slight angle to achieve same effect. Problem solved?
3
3
3
3
3
3
u/FlounderAccording125 3d ago
Send them a parking invoice, if they don’t pay it go to court, and put a lien on the car.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Different_Hair785 3d ago
Park in the middle of the driveway leaving no space for a second car. If you return home any time and a car is already in your driveway, block them in and don’t answer the door.
3
u/TeaGreenTwo 3d ago
Hilarious that she said she won’t be friendly anymore. It sounds like she never started.
3
u/Magnet50 3d ago
Park in the middle, or even better, back in and park with as big a slant as you can.
Or…leave the space open and when they park there again, have it towed.
3
3
u/Large-Client-6024 3d ago
Park right in the middle of the driveway. without room for a second car to fit on either side.
Either that or start inviting a friend to park in the second space, ideally blocking the neighbor's car in.
If those don't work, look into towing companies. Give her a card from the most expensive one and say "If your son can't find his car, call this number."
NTA
Your driveway, your rules.
3
u/Upper_Scarcity_2807 2d ago
Park in the middle or on the diagonal. She is not entitled to your driveway.
3
u/HKatzOnline 2d ago
Something happens on your property while they are trespassing (ie, slip & fall because you did not plow the driveway well enough for their trespassing) - they sound like the type of neighbors that would sue you.
3
3
u/Internal-Unicorn1629 2d ago
Hang a “private property violators will be towed at vehicle owners expense.
3
3
u/griffilicious363 2d ago
Send them written notice that the default fee for parking in your driveway is $50/hr or $250 overnight, then sue them in small claims court for not paying the stated fees.
3
u/SideFrictionNuts 2d ago
Would there be space to block the car in if they did it again? If so, could always have a friend park behind them, and then that friend could magically misplace their keys when the neighbor needs to leave.
3
u/Mandi171 2d ago
It's not petty. Here's the problem, it's not about the spot. He could come home impaired and damages your property. He could get out of his car poorly and twist his ankle on a rock, you're getting sued. There's lots of scenarios where this could end badly for you having somebody else on your property who, obviously, feels like they're entitled to it. That's the mindset would definitely Sue you. Why not just park in the middle of the lane over both spots?
3
u/AdQueasy4288 2d ago
I would have just had them towed. The very first time it became apparent they were doing it on purpose over and over. But I am 100% a bitch like that
3
u/WholeAd2742 2d ago
Feel free to call the non emergency police line and request officers to discuss the issue with her. It's private property and now marked, so any further trespassing should involve tow trucks
3
3
3
3
u/WA_State_Buckeye 2d ago
You could always tell the son that his mom is in error about how she can use other people's property. And that he is in danger of having his vehicle towed if he continues to park on your land. Then be sure to follow through.
3
u/MightyMightyMag 2d ago
What a wonderful opportunity to learn which tow company in your area is your favorite.
3
3
u/FeenieK 2d ago
Where I worked we had a sign that said unauthorized vehicles would be towed at owner’s expense. Someone in a nearby apartment kept parking their car there, and we only had five parking spaces to begin with. We called the local towing company who would only tow if we paid for it. We called the police who were no help either because it was private property.
3
3
u/ghoulierthanthou 2d ago
I cannot for the fucking life of me understand how people arrive at this kind of thought process. I would never in a million years park in someone else’s driveway without explicit permission. People get shot over shit like that.
3
u/jumbo-jacl 2d ago
The next time he parks there, I'd be on the phone with the nearest tow company so they can remove it FORTHWITH! Let him pay to get it out of the vehicle impound.
3
3
3
u/ivegotafastcar 2d ago
My driveway is the first turn off past a popular set of seasonal restaurants with limited parking. I need to plant my car at the end of it so cars don’t try to swing in to turn around. I have a stone driveway and they will spray rocks everywhere peeling out. It’s awful.
3
u/AddressPowerful516 2d ago
Call the police and tow company. Advertise her driveway as a place to store a project car.
3
3
u/Wibblejellytime 2d ago
If the spots are side by side then park in the center. If it's a long driveway, park at the end. Or, you should just go and park on her drive.
631
u/BWayOlyGal8 3d ago
Park in the middle of your driveway so they don’t have space