Neighbour Parking in Front of House, Partially Impeding Driveway Access

LWill Mcdonald on 03/03/2018 - 10:21
Last edited 06/03/2018 - 19:39

So this is a long story that i will summarise as quickly as possible. Within our street, the current housing price situation has forced my neighbours kids to stay at home and live. Nothing wrong with that. However, they all have cars parked on a narrow street which can only fit 3 cars width wise across it
. It gets pretty crowded quickly in the evenings. So our issues lie with getting into our driveway because of all the cars. So 2 years ago we decided to build an additional slab on are property so we could park an additional 2 cars on are front property lot. This helped greatly as it allowed us to enter our driveway freely. Recently are next door neighbour has been consistently parking in front of our house near the driveway because he doesn't want to park on his driveway and his two garages are full. So currently the neighbour has a boat, a cavaran, a 4wd, a van and a ute. The boat, cavaran and 4wd are all parked on the road and take up some considerable real estate on the narrow road. I have confronted him about it and hes arrogantly said its a free public road "ill park where ever i want". What i'm looking for is a way that i can block him from parking right in front of house near my driveway, so i can have free access to my drive in and out. Any suggestions or ideas would be great. The best way to describe us and my neighbours is, we work full time and are never home. While my neighbour lives at home with his parents, hes about 40 years old, hes got a few cats and a large garden in his backyard that he tends to. This keeps him at home pretty at home all year round. Other times he leaves home is to go fishing in his boat.

These are photos of how he is currently parked https://imgur.com/a/lgUIq and https://imgur.com/XwC1Ahd and aerial shot https://imgur.com/a/cyspO

THANKS FOR THE HELP GUYS, heres the update of what has been done -> Trailer Purchased, Cameras Installed & Maneuvering diagram (AS2890.1 AUS standards)
https://imgur.com/a/78PMB

Home & Garden

Comments

    • sky blu on 03/03/2018 - 15:26
      +6

      Username checks out from comment.

  • dheywood on 03/03/2018 - 15:29

    He is parked a fair distance from the curb? NSW have laws about how far away you park?

    Also, any of the other vehicles 'commercial' vehicles, as they can't be parked in residential areas in a lot of council areas.

    Otherwise from the pics you sent, I don't see any issues, he isn't blocking your driveway access at all.

    Edit: Could check out the legalities of the size of the bullbar. States have restrictions on size. Also, the location of the light bar is prob illegal, being above the bonnet line. If you wanted to bother trying to piss him off..

  • djkelly69 on 03/03/2018 - 15:56

    People across the road seem to be putting their bins at the curb to stop him from parking there, have you tried that?

    Also his neighbour on the right seems to be parking their car at the edge of their block to stop him parking there as well?

    • GregMonarch on 03/03/2018 - 16:15

      They probably only do that on garbage day so the garbage truck access isn't blocked by cars, meaning either their bins don't get emptied, or, he has to load every one manually while hopping in/out of the cab all the way along the street.

  • ganymede on 03/03/2018 - 15:56
    +1

    Hi OP,

    While it is annoying to have someone parked in front of your house, he has done nothing against the law.

    From the photos you put up, I see that your house is just around the apex of the road curve, you probably argue your case with your council from safety point of view as you back out of the driveway your visiblity is reduced by 1) your neigbour stone wall (on the right) and 2) his truck by the road side (on the right). Also, I can see a big tree in front of your property in the attached google earth photo, that tree (assuming on council's land) also blocks your view somewhat and further reduce your visibility when you backing out from your driveway. You probably can suggest the council to put up a no parking sign on the inside of the curve to improve road safety.

    Otherwise, as suggested here, buy an old junk and park it there. All else failed, there is always the OzB favourite: "bikies"!

    Good luck!

  • Rifraf on 03/03/2018 - 16:30
    +1

    Sorry OP but your being a goose.

    He'll simply move your trailer forward.

    He'll key your car if he thinks your stealing "his" park to be a PITA.

    You've already lost, letting it get to you so much when he's doing nothing wrong.

    Get over it as all this nonsense is escalating a situation that needn't have occurred in the first place with some proper communication.

    You should have gone over in the first place with a six pack and introduced yourself and been self depreciating about your driveway reversal skills.

    Leave it alone for long enough and one of his kids will move out and he'll be back to parking in his own driveway.

    Escalation will make a real enemy for no gain.

    Go over, with a six pack and pay for his ticket and give him an invite for a BBQ.

    In his eyes, you might have started this.

    Nowt as queer as folk

  • rickxs on 03/03/2018 - 16:32

    where are the parked cars ? why show pictures where there is no problem?
    I would have thought the pictures would be showing the amount of parked cars & not hardly any!

    are jim lad…..

    • foxmulder on 03/03/2018 - 16:42

      Check on the second pic of ute with white sedan behind it. As ute was somewhat a bit far from the curb, with the white sedan parked on the other side of the road, it's hard for OP to pass. Boy the road is so narrow, if the neighbor across the driveway want to park, how OP would get out?

  • GourmetFoodie on 03/03/2018 - 16:53

    Life is too short mate to get bothered over something like this given his park based on your pics is totally legal.

    It would be 10x worse if you were in the inner city. Also it's just the way of life now in suburban streets…everyone has multiple cars with kids staying at home later and higher density living.

    You just have to take a deep breath and move on.

    Especially as he could be far worse! I've had friends with drug dealers living next door, neighbours who throw faeces over the fence, neighbours in bikie gangs, ferals who throw parties every weekend…..in the scheme of things your neighbour is pretty decent and I can understand him being frustrated when you keep on his back as it's a free country. He can park wherever he wants as long as its legal.

  • nuno on 03/03/2018 - 17:15
    +3

    we were living across the road from a neighbour that had a trailer parked in front of his house permanently because idjiots would half-park illegally over his garage driveway. His garage had direct street frontage and looked concealed from the outside.

    He bought himself a trailer, clamped one of the wheels with a SCA clamp (with torsion bar), let the kerbside tyre down and trailer never moved a millimetre. That was the end of his troubles. If he ever needed to use his trailer, he would park his motorbike there until the trailer returned.

    If your nice neighbour attempts to move your trailer, he would have to winch it up and pull it back. Seems like a lot of trouble to go to at 3:00am waking up the neighbourhood to carry out his malevolence. However, if it does happen, buy one of those $20 Xiaomi cameras and sit on a front facing window.

    He'll soon learn.

    You cant reason with some ppl. As the great James Hetfield says https://youtu.be/xjlgUx7_aN0?t=1m .

    • fantombloo on 04/03/2018 - 09:55

      You do realise that the song treats fire pejoratively and that the chorus ends with "We all shall die? "

  • DiscoJango on 03/03/2018 - 17:42
    +2

    gday mate im a true blue aussie battler. check out ma hilux pwoaaahh aint she a beauty strewth whered i put the cat food

  • wkd on 03/03/2018 - 17:50
    +2

    when he parks there. park opposite his driveway

  • ribze1 on 03/03/2018 - 18:02
    +3

    Buy a cheap second hand trailer and park it on the spot next to your driveway. Wheel clamp it.

    Edit: Already suggested :)

    • fozzie on 03/03/2018 - 20:04

      Love it!

  • grr1701 on 03/03/2018 - 18:34
    +4

    Maybe drive past your driveway and reverse into your yard. It’ll make driving out easier and safer and probably annoy him that you’re happy with the outcome.

  • fozzie on 03/03/2018 - 20:03

    I have a similar situation where I live. It’s frustrating as we only have to cars and park in our car port. But there is no much we can do. We often get cars parked on both sides of our driveway. So annoying when they park near our home and they live opposite!

  • freemoneyhunter on 03/03/2018 - 20:32
    -1

    Sorry OP you do not own the curb and gutter, people can park where they want as long as they are not parked over the driveway.

  • stainedteatowel on 03/03/2018 - 20:42
    +3

    You call that parking close? :) Try waking up to this and the wife had to drive over the curb to go to work:

    https://imgur.com/a/iDMXI

    • smartazz104 on 03/03/2018 - 21:14
      +1

      I mean, that's what happens when there isn't even a paved driveway…

      • stainedteatowel on 03/03/2018 - 22:17

        Our cars are clearly parked up there and you can clearly see it is not a curb but is used as access to the property. With there being plenty of parking in the street.

        • smartazz104 on 04/03/2018 - 10:29

          Tongue in cheek mate ;)

        • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 17:05

          You should get the council to come out and concrete that driveway access.

  • cyrax83 on 03/03/2018 - 22:20

    I don't understand the problem. Sure he is parking near your house, but he isn't impeding your driveway and he is parking on public roads - he is correct he can park wherever he wants on public roads. His car is clearly within the markers (see that line on the footpath? I'm pretty sure that's the boundary) and isn't blocking your driveway.

    If you can't get in/out of your driveway whilst he is clearly parked legally on the road well within his rights, then you shouldn't be driving.

    Is he being slightly inconsiderate? Sure
    Is he doing anything wrong? Nope

    Suck it up Nancy

    • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 17:08

      Of course he can park wherever he wants and whenever he wants. But no neighbour is going to tolerate a neighbour parking a boat, a caravan and 3 cars on the public road because he doesn't want to use his driveway or garage(s). Hes parking his ute there because he knows it impedes my driveway access, not because its convenient to park there.

      • cyrax83 on 05/03/2018 - 17:13

        Doesn't matter how you feel about it or whether he is causing you an inconvenience. He is legally allowed to park there. End of story.

        • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 17:18

          i already know that. That's why an ozbargainer came up with a great solution from a similar situation and understood my situation. However, i don't think you understand my situation so theres no point on you trying to help.

  • John Kimble on 03/03/2018 - 23:30
    +2

    Mate, plenty of room.

    You haven't lived in a high density suburb full of units with no/limited off street parking have you?

    Where I used to live (and still to some extent where I live now) people park on/touching your car. My car was parked on bumper damaged at least 3 times. Or get parked in! Ridiculous!

    See examples:

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/190487/56894/2013-09-1…

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/190487/56895/2013-05-1…

    My street is so tight they have put a no parking sign up just for the day the garbage truck comes…

    • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2018 - 11:58
      +2

      may aswell drive a dodgem car :p

  • Gauntlet on 04/03/2018 - 00:50
    +1

    Just go past and reverse in. Then you'll be driving out forwards the next time you leave. This is pretty bloody petty if you ask me.

    • kiitos on 04/03/2018 - 11:48

      I'd agree with that, though if it's hard to turn into the driveway going forwards, wouldn't it be equally difficult leaving the driveway going forwards too?

  • Titus Canby on 04/03/2018 - 07:22
    +2

    40 year old on green Ps,say no more

  • haimrevolution on 04/03/2018 - 07:42
    +2

    It’s becoming painful how bad drivers are getting. If you can’t enter your driveway where he is parked I’m sorry but you shouldn’t be driving in the first place

    • sky blu on 04/03/2018 - 09:53
      +1

      But OP was a veteran taxi driver…

    • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 13:57
      +2

      i'm strong driver for sydney roads in comparision to my driving experience in India, Italy, Spain and Sri Lanka. Those road are nothing compared to Australia. You have to be within millimeters of cars/buses/trucks to get down main roads. i have a perfect license in nsw if that helps your doubt, it was typical as a part time taxi driver to do 12 hour shifts of continuous driving.

  • JimB on 04/03/2018 - 09:14

    Advertise on Gumtree 'Free Caravan, fair condition'

    • spriggan43 on 05/03/2018 - 10:36

      Word the ad, “Deeply emotionally attached to caravan, please take even if I change my mind”

      • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 13:58
        +1

        lol, i'll put "Please take in the middle of the night and please be quiet i don't want to disturb the neighbors".

  • Aussie Smurfette on 04/03/2018 - 09:32
    +1

    Graffiti the caravan

  • Ethernia on 04/03/2018 - 10:09

    Every time he leaves the spot, move the car you least us to that spot. Make it a family thing, Oooo he's left, quick, move the car. Had a similar problem years ago, got the whole family involved, made it so the only place they could park was their own car park, hell, you could even get other neighbours helping too, bringing the community together :)

    • whooah1979 on 04/03/2018 - 10:17

      That sounds like a lot of work and may escalate the situation to a confrontation.

      It’s more sensible to reverse into the driveway.

    • Will Mcdonald on 04/03/2018 - 13:47
      +1

      We are all busy with work commitments unfortunately. A financially viable option is more suitable though. Going to get a trailer, sounds stuiped and a waste of money but wasting time on an inconsiderate neighbour isn't worth my time aswell.

  • Herbert1955 on 04/03/2018 - 11:19
    -1

    WHEN HE GOES OUT, PUT YOUR RUBBISH BIN THERE LIKE YOUR NEIGHBOURS

    • John Kimble on 04/03/2018 - 11:26
      +4

      IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE IT, FOR SURE!

  • Herbert1955 on 04/03/2018 - 11:43

    PUT YOUR RUBBISH BIN THERE THEN HE CAN'T PARK THERE

    • Will Mcdonald on 04/03/2018 - 13:29

      wouldn't i have to go down to my bins on the road everyday to dispose of my rubbish?

      • John Kimble on 04/03/2018 - 13:55

        You can't leave your bin on the street all day everyday anyway. Council rules.

        • Will Mcdonald on 04/03/2018 - 14:02

          Didn't know that, good to know now

  • LUTSlit on 04/03/2018 - 12:02
    +2

    Come on.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2018 - 12:09

    leave some catnips on his windscreen… :D

  • tonsta on 04/03/2018 - 13:41
    +1

    hmmm… seems parking is ok on the street.. this is a 1st world problem maybe?

    • smartazz104 on 04/03/2018 - 17:01
      +5

      We live in the first world, all of our problems are first world problems.

      • tonsta on 04/03/2018 - 22:20

        i was referring to was the fact I couldn't see any blocking of the driveway in the pic supplied, or did i miss something?

    • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 14:00

      are internet (nbn) is 3rd world though

      • Quantumcat on 05/03/2018 - 15:19
        +4

        There you go with "are" again. Do you realise the two words sound nothing like each other? Is this some sort of weird selective dyslexia?

        • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 15:22

          I don't have the rational feeling on belonginess though.
          "Our internet (nbn) is 3rd world though"

        • Quantumcat on 05/03/2018 - 17:13
          +1

          @Will Mcdonald: belonginess isn't a word. I don't understand what you mean.

        • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 17:14
          -1

          @Quantumcat: bad joke. Intended to spell out the difference between 'are' and 'our'.

  • Davo1111 on 04/03/2018 - 16:11
    +1

    after looking at the pic again, i don't think it's anywhere near as bad as you're talking about.

    If your house was the one opposite with the blue car, i might agree that it's frustrating, but it's a legal parking.

    The only issue i can see is that he doesn't park up against the kerb, but technically speaking it's probably legal.

  • fbzbenny on 04/03/2018 - 17:30

    May I suggest applying to the local council to approve your driveway curb to be widened to double car width? It does seem narrow and a bit of a bottleneck in the sense that your driveway branches out as you go further in, slightly. That could address your issue.

    • whooah1979 on 04/03/2018 - 17:49

      your driveway branches out as you go further in

      The curb looks like a standard size curb. Op added an additional slab on their property to make room for more vehicles.

  • SlickMick on 04/03/2018 - 17:33
    +1

    That car isn't parked, it's abandoned in the middle of the road. Annoying for everyone on such a narrow street.

    However, reversing into driveway or going around cul de sac doesn't seem like a big deal.

  • steven231 on 04/03/2018 - 19:48
    +2

    How is this even an issue? To be honest there are streets which are always fully parked and obstructed so it seems just like a quality of life issue for you. Leave him alone

    • steven231 on 04/03/2018 - 19:49

      He is your neighbour so i don't even know what your causing trouble with him, after all since he seems to be always home he can maybe warn police of a burglary one day who knows.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2018 - 20:03

    I got a neighbour that parks in front of our house. Best option is do reverse parking that way you can just drive straight out.

  • mattie on 04/03/2018 - 22:07
    +1

    If my neighbour rang the ranger and I was issued an infringement I wouldn't forget ever, you started it

  • Will Mcdonald on 04/03/2018 - 22:26
    +12

    Update Bought a trailer and put it right in front of my house near my driveway. He just parked behind it. Problem solved, every 2 months or so i just have to clean the leaves out of it. Thanks for the help. I'll take a photo tomorrow morning for everyone to see but this is a night shot (https://imgur.com/a/U99Bi)

    • ozoner on 04/03/2018 - 22:37
      +8

      I'm truly happy that you've found a solution to your problem, but it boggles my mind that you'd prefer to actually purchase an entire trailer (and keep it registered) rather than doing a loop to get into your driveway.

      • Will Mcdonald on 04/03/2018 - 22:54

        Complete waste of time driving down to the end of the road and doing a loop. Well its not really a loop, the cx-9 can't do the narrow loop at the end of the road, so its more like a 3 point turn.

        • ozzpete on 05/03/2018 - 14:55

          Handbrake 180 turn :)

    • xcess on 04/03/2018 - 23:17
      +1

      put a tarp or something over it so its easier, so does he know its your trailer ?

      • Will Mcdonald on 04/03/2018 - 23:57
        +5

        he will probably work it out by tomorrow or within the week.

        • 11112007 on 05/03/2018 - 00:37
          +6

          I'll stay tuned for Part 2: Neighbors Revenge.

        • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 19:16
          +1

          @crazycs: I'll have cameras installed within the week

    • logistics on 04/03/2018 - 23:31
      +2

      LOL. Bravo, Sir.

      /me gets popcorn out and waits for neighbours next turn.

      • ozzpete on 05/03/2018 - 14:54

        Neighbor reports abandoned trailer sitting permanently.

    • Global Nomad on 04/03/2018 - 23:48

      I totally understand your point of view and and the unpleasant situation you have found yourself in.
      Applaud your solution and wish you success but wow, that looks to be a nice trailer, hopefully not too nice and not too inviting as the local rubbish skip. Good luck :)

      • Will Mcdonald on 04/03/2018 - 23:58

        Hmm didn't think about that, i might go down to bunnings and get a tarp for it.

    • Zawoooo on 05/03/2018 - 09:53
      +1

      Need to clarify something. Did u soley buy the trailer to stop him from parking there or do you actually intend to use the trailer? Pretty decent trailer I was thinking of a $200 gumtree special

    • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2018 - 11:49
      +1

      sounds like a bargain solution! hiring tradies to modify driveway would easily cost double or triple of the trailer's cost.

      and again, 2 groups in this tread. people who say they cant see any issues, they are probably those who tend or have to park in front of someone else's house, everyday!

      for some of us, we can understand the OP's situation. we dont sacrifice our life to buy a house only to be inconvenienced by others who think they are entitled to everything in this world without going the hard yard.

      • Baghern on 05/03/2018 - 15:03

        I think its more of something you're not use to so it really really annoys you.

        The op has nothing on my driveway… theres a full size truck thats always parked near my parents driveway, I know its used for work… what I don't get is how that person is always able to parked there… to me thats a hazard, people going out or passing by can't tell theres a car coming

        • Global Nomad on 05/03/2018 - 19:49

          Sounds awful, what have you tried doing about it?

    • ozzpete on 05/03/2018 - 14:52

      And now your neighbor can report you for having a permanent fixture parked in public property. I would expect 1 of those stickers on trailer, same as what is seen in car windows of cars left in 1 spot for too long. Sticker saying move or be towed by x date .

    • AussieMark on 05/03/2018 - 15:55

      lol am I the only one that finds this a little extreme

      Was it really worth $200 or $300 ? You could have given it to the guy and improved the relations

      • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 17:11
        +1

        Brand new galavanised trailer, came with jockey wheel, spare wheel and cage. Definitely wasn't that low. Solved a problem with money and it means no worries for the rest of your days.

    • shrugies on 12/03/2018 - 12:51

      ahahahah YESSSSS Good on ya mate . If only you thought of this sooner, but main point is you stuck it to him!

  • BartholemewH on 05/03/2018 - 00:03
    +4

    Whole thread is an elaborate troll post by OP, baiting readers with misuse of the word 'are'. Well played OP.

  • 11112007 on 05/03/2018 - 00:34
    +1

    My neighbor has been parking like this for the last 15 years, similar street conditions to you.
    Nothing illegal about it. But glad you solved your first world problem, can we go back to world hunger yet? ;)

  • lilchonk on 05/03/2018 - 00:44

    Some how I feel there's always more to these types of stories. From what I can gather he has space to park closer to his property but has chosen to be a douche and park closer to your driveway for who knows what reason. Did you piss him or his parents off in some way in recent times or possibly just been odd neighbours with little things that tick you off from time to time? These petty issues always seem to stem off something.
    Or I could be totally wrong and you have a situation of someone being a douche for the sake of being a douche.

  • ozzpete on 05/03/2018 - 04:48

    If parked legally, OP really has no case or reasonable complaint.
    OP certainly does NOT own all he can see (from his front yard).
    Car seem parked legally, on a public road, so any Australian person has right to park there. If OP was to confront me as if everything on the public street near him was his property, then I would get annoyed. If I was asked nicely and with respect, I would do what I could to help.
    However it also seems like there is not really anywhere else for the neighbor to park, since it is mentioned neighbors have a few vehicles.
    If OP wants control over more than his own private property, then could buy a larger property. Certainly he has no claim to public land. And certainly sounds like he has not been kind and respectful to the neighbor who was asked (or demanded) to mot park on public street.

    • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 08:17
      +1

      I have no problem with him parking on a public street as its a public street, but don't park close to my driveway as it impedes me entering and exiting the driveway. That's the only issue i have.

      • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2018 - 10:11
        +2

        The problem is that the only way he's going to NOT do that is if he does it voluntarily. Which you can't accomplish by looking for ways to stop him doing it.

  • scead on 05/03/2018 - 07:22
    +1

    Buy/accept a super cheap busted broken car off gumtree. Move it to the location where he is parked when he is not there. Leave it there forever.

    Edit: just read your got a trailer. Lol.

    In all seriousness, this is pretty extreme lol.

  • nuno on 05/03/2018 - 07:58
    +3

    Covering it with a tarp will block your view as it creates a canopy which is similar size to a car\truck , i would leave it as is and put a tarp on the floor and take out the tarp for a shake out now and again.. The trailer is aluminium and you'll have no issue with rust. The rain will clean most of the gunk for you.

    Place an ad in gumtree for weekend trailer rental and you'll pay it off in no time. Place a red bollard on the street or park your car there until it returns.

    I would wish you good luck but you dont need it. I would have done the exact same thing to increase safety in and around my property for my family and guests that enter \ exit my premises.

    • Will Mcdonald on 05/03/2018 - 08:19
      +1

      thanks for the advice and support.

  • DarkOz on 05/03/2018 - 09:13
    -1

    I thought just leave a slab of beer on the same spot would be a cheaper solution than buying a trailer and keeping it registered…

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