Neighbor Problems with Parking?

Question

We live in a single family home neighborhood. Our inconsiderate neighbors frequently park their cars in front of OUR house, and their guests do the same, while the street in front of their house is empty. What can we do?? We are tired of having to look at their cars constantly. We don't speak to them because they're JERKS generally. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The street in front of your home is more than likely maintained by your city or county and belongs to that entity. However, I was faced with the same issue, and simply approached my neighbor and calmly, brought up the situation in conversation. (I had run into her at our community mail box) She was oblivious to my concerns, and was very understanding, now when I have company over, or am planning a party, I let her know and the parking is open in front of my house. I've invited her to a couple of my parties, and she was very gracious and even brought my daughter a graduation gift. Live and let live. Get to know your neighbors, it could come in handy someday. PEACE

Answer 2

I am kind of in the same situation. We live in a complex and we live in the townhouse on the very end. There is one townhouse next to us and then the apartments begin. Well there is all open parking, but generally the first 2 spots are for the end house, the next 2 are for the second one in...and so forth. Well our neighbors constantly take up both spots. I wouldn't even mind it so much if they left once in a while, but one of those cars is parked there for months at a time. It's so ridiculous, but a parking spot isn't really something to quarrel with neigbors about I guess. If I were I would send them a letter or something stating that you would like them to not park in front of your house. Then you wouldn't have to talk to them at least and maybe they would get the point. Maybe they don't realize that it bothers you that much.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, the street is public property (or actually your city's property). We have similar problems here. We have alternate parking, where we have to park on alternate sides of the street every other day - so, we and our neighbors do have to "compete" for street parking (unless we can park in driveways or garages). We actually had a neigbor egg our car because we parked in front of their house, but they often park in front of our house. You have to live with each other, so it is best to try to get along. If you really don't want to look at their cars, you can either park yours in front of your house, plant bushes blocking the view - or - if you are disabled, your city could put a handicapped parking sign in front of your house - blocking anybody without a permit from parking there (my city offers this).

Answer 4

I have a problem with parking also. My home doesnt have a driveway, and all the others do. Still, I find parking nearly impossible b/c I see that even ppl who have driveways park in the street. If I had a driveway I would never park in the street, unless I was leaving again soon. Sucks.
I say just ask nicely. The best way to catch flies is with honey.

Answer 5

Hah! I have the same problem and came across your question by searching "neighbors parking" and lo and behold, there was your question and some others that were the same but resolved months ago. Believe me, you are not alone! It is rude behavior and it gets tiring. There is not a day that goes by without some strange car of my neighbors' in front of my house. I can't figure out why, either. It is south of my tree, so it's not for the shade. They can only view the spot from their second-story window, so it's not for safety. They have several cars, but 90% of the time there is room in front of their own house and there is always room in front of the house on the other side of them; it'd be nicer if they'd rotate who they irritate!
I see there are those who say "oh big deal." But sometimes my mail doesn't get delivered because they have parked blocking my mailbox. Also, the lady across the street has a harder time backing her car out of her driveway because she's afraid she'll hit their car and she must make tighter turns. And if you think this stuff is trivial, why are you reading Etiquette questions instead of Medical or Political questions anyway? :)
In my case, the same next-door neighbors continually let their dog come into my backyard (and into my house through my dog's pet-door to eat my dog's food! I actually woke up one Sunday in my *second-story bedroom* with that dog licking my arm. It also peed on my carpet many times and we were headed for a lawsuit until we built a block wall, which they should've paid MORE than 50% of, but didn't, grrrrrr. But I digress...) These neighbors just have no concept of boundaries. You and I know the street is public property, but apparently *they* think they OWN the street. I could say something to them, but they just wouldn't care. Yours sound the same way.
My solutions are to:
1) aim my sprinklers at that parking area and turn them on, hoping it gets more than just the passenger side wet. Hopefully the windshield; at least they will see that.
2) park in front of their house once in a while. If my 3 car garage and my 3 car driveway are empty, but my somewhat distinctive PT Cruiser is in front of their house, you'd think they'd wonder why. If even for the briefest moment. And maybe a lightbulb will go off in their head after the 80th occurance and they'll figure it out.
3) put my trash cans there. And I spread the 3 trash cans out to take up as much room as pos s i b l e. Do this even if they are parked there. It makes it inconvient for them. (Our city issues us large wheeled trashcans, and they are supposed to be placed at least 3' apart.)
4) sweep leaves etc into a pile there. Add branches, even large ones. You're simply doing your yardwork. "Forget" to clean it up right away. Do this even if they are parked there. Then they have to back up over it and may a noise that will bother them: "Did I just scrape my car on a branch?"
5) and yes, I try to focus on other things and not let this negativity into my life. I think "If I had cancer, I'd be sadly laughing at what a big deal I had thought this was". Mostly I try to twist my thinking into a postive thought, like "Well, maybe a burglar/rapist/murderer will think there's a whole ton of people that live here, just based on the car out front, and will go do their evil deeds elsewhere."
Tonight I came home from work to find ANOTHER neighbor in front of my house, second night in a row, while his driveway has empty parking. If I'm supposed to be happy that it's someone different, I'm not.
I agree it's unfair and disrespectful to park in front of someone else's property unless neccessary. We all want a nice view out our windows, unobstructed by a vehicle. You ar e not alone in that desire. Good luck.

Answer 6

Put 4"x4" 5' long going straight from your sidewalk towards the street. You share the ownership of that property with the city (if you own your home). Another thing you can do is put up NO PARKING signs along the the sidewalk in front of your house. Get a contract with the city'/county and it will be a fine if they park there.

Answer 7

Yeah if it is a public street there is not much you or the police can do. If they are parked too close to your drive way or mailbox, you can call the police or the post office and have them give the people notice not to do that. Otherwise, I like the ides of parking in front of their house ALL the time to see how they like it.

Answer 8

1. Take a deep breath.
2. Begin to realize that the world does not revolve around you.
3. Come to the conclusion that if this is your biggest problem, you are truly blessed.

Seriously, they probably don't know it bothers you. Instead of claiming, in your own mind at least, ownership of the street let it go. You will be a much happier person when you realize your neighbors aren't out to get you.

Answer 9

Unless neighborhood regulations say you cannot park in front of other people's houses you need to get over it as parking on the road is parking on public property.

You should go up to them and chat with them. Don't DEMAND they remove their vehicles, just chat with them and find out why they are parking on your side and not on their own side.

Answer 10

The neighbors next door to me park right in front of our driveway and makes it a pain in the **** to get in and out of the driveway, especially in the winter.

The steps we've taken.

1. Go knock on the door and ask them politely to not do that anymore
2.Leave them notes on their windsheild reminding them that they agreed not to park there
3.Go pound on their door and start swearing at them
4.Call the cops and say the car has been abandoned so that they put a "Will Tow" sticker on it
5.Call a towing company
6.Pack up your stuff and move away, because there's obviously nothing else that you can do