Neighbor problem

[Gumbo4x4]

There's a big difference between being neighbors (merely geographic) and being neighborly - an attitude. Having a driveway one doesn't use because it's inconvenient AND expecting to be able to park directly in front of one's own domicile when other nearby but just slightly less convenient options (spot on street in front of where poster/homeowner chooses to park; spaces across the street...) exist isn't neighborly.

You catch more flies with honey...

I don't see where the OP has an issue with the neighbor parking in the best spot, as long as the neighbor isn't blocking the driveway.

On a side note, I used to work in a factory that was located in a neighborhood. During the busy time of the year, our parking lot would fill & at shift change, some folks would have to park on the street (2nd shift has to arrive before 1st shift leaves, same with 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to 1st). We had an old grump who used to try to tell folks they couldn't park in front of his house - nevermind that the factory was there FIRST. The police made it quite clear to him that he was entitled to exactly ZERO parking spots on the street unless he was actually occupying them

 

[luvmy3]

Have you ever lived for years in a city with street parking? Yes neighbors cooperate with each other so all can park.

And yes it is a power trip to take someone else's parking spot when you have 1 they can't use.

Where I grew up it was first come first served, nobody had their own spot. Sometimes you were lucky and got one in front of your house, sometimes you weren't and to park a block away. Nobody ever cooperated, and nobody ever blocked driveways. Those are the breaks when you live somewhere where you have to park on the street.

OP, I don't know the laws in your area but if they are like the pp who mentioned its not illegal to park in front of your own driveway, that seems like the perfect solution. I do think that may be rare though, I know where I'm from you get ticketed for blocking a driveway, even your own. When dh was in college he lived in a city where they just came and ticketed and towed. I'd check with your city and then decide. However I think it would just be easier to ask the neighbor to not do it anymore. Maybe they don't think its an issue because you don't use it.

 

[Tozzie]

There's a big difference between being neighbors (merely geographic) and being neighborly - an attitude. Having a driveway one doesn't use because it's inconvenient AND expecting to be able to park directly in front of one's own domicile when other nearby but just slightly less convenient options (spot on street in front of where poster/homeowner chooses to park; spaces across the street...) exist isn't neighborly.

You catch more flies with honey...

When did the OP state she expected to park in front of her house. Please show me cause I can't find it, all she stated was that the poster blocks her driveway.

 

[JimmyPicker]

You would get a ticket and towed here if you blocked a driveway--doesn't matter if its yours or not its still illegal.
I would be calling the town if my neighbor had a renter that was parking their car in the street- town code here is that if its a legal rental they must have off street parking for the renters-so if they were parking in the street that would most likely mean it was an illegal rental.

Obviously, parking on the street isn't illegal in this neighborhood, as the OP and their neighbor, and their neighbors family, etc. are doing it. Blocking a driveway may or may not be a ticketable offense, and in the OP's case, it probably isn't, otherwise they could make a simple call to the police/tow company and get it removed without anyone knowing it was them making the call, thus removing the problem of the neighbor blocking their driveway.

 

[aprilgail2]

Obviously, parking on the street isn't illegal in this neighborhood, as the OP and their neighbor, and their neighbors family, etc. are doing it. Blocking a driveway may or may not be a ticketable offense, and in the OP's case, it probably isn't, otherwise they could make a simple call to the police/tow company and get it removed without anyone knowing it was them making the call, thus removing the problem of the neighbor blocking their driveway.

Street parking here is not illegal either- but if you have a tenant by town code they must have off street parking for them. But its still illegal to block a driveway.

 

[kaytieeldr]

don't see where the OP has an issue with the neighbor parking in the best spot, as long as the neighbor isn't blocking the driveway.

We don't know how the OP's neighborhood looks, but it seems from her description/suggestion that the tenant could park in the street space in front of the OP's two cars (you'd have to drive past those cars to see there's another spot empty). Because the OP knows that space is available, she could park there as well/instead.

I infer from the OP's description that she's parking as conveniently to her own front door as possible, leaving a fairly new-to-the-area tenant to fend for herself. The OP knows other spaces exist (and could use them) the tenant, not likely. Neighbors, but not neighborly.

When did the OP state she expected to park in front of her house. Please show me cause I can't find it, all she stated was that the poster blocks her driveway.

Use the actual words, no. But as I just wrote, given that the OP knows there is (always?) a spot available ahead of where they park on the street, and that the OP knows there are spaces available on the opposite side of the street - and knowing as reasonable adults that these spaces are available to anyone, it seems the OP regularly takes the 'best' spaces.

Best being relative, of course .

 

[Allison]

Where you are, understood. But it doesn't appear that's the case where the OP lives (haven't the police responded several times to calls about the alarm, without towing the car, and wouldn't it be a genuinely amazing coincidence if the tenant's alarm goes off at 3AM only when her car's not blocking a driveway?)

There is no mention of the police responding to the alarm.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There is no mention of the police responding to the alarm.

My mistake. I apologize for making it.

 

[Allison]

My mistake. I apologize for making it.

No problem. I thought maybe I missed something.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Wow didn't know I'm a bad neighbor for wanting my driveway to be clear. I actually normally do block my own driveway, meaning my car is parked so no other car can enter the driveway. if the neighbor is parked there and thestreet is full, why should I have to park out of the way? I do own my home, pay taxes and maintain my property. The driveway is there for my or my guest's use, not the neighbors.

 

[JimmyPicker]

Wow didn't know I'm a bad neighbor for wanting my driveway to be clear. I actually normally do block my own driveway, meaning my car is parked so no other car can enter the driveway. if the neighbor is parked there and thestreet is full, why should I have to park out of the way? I do own my home, pay taxes and maintain my property. The driveway is there for my or my guest's use, not the neighbors.

You aren't a bad neighbor for wanting your driveway to be clear, it should be clear, unless you are the one blocking it.

My suggestion was merely that, a suggestion. Without knowing your exact neighborhood, the rules, the specific traffic patterns, the business (busy-ness?) of it, and your lack of wanting to say anything to the neighbor and your husband's procrastination in saying anything to the neighbor, I was thinking that by blocking your own driveway, you could open another spot for your neighbor that may be farther away from your own house -- which would alleviate both of your problems (her blocking your driveway, and the noise from the midnight alarm).

As I said, I don't know that this would help or not without knowing your neighborhood better than I do (which is not at all!). For all I know, you parking in front of your driveway could put her car more directly in front of your home.

You asked for advice, but the only advice we can give you, you already know. Do something to fix the problem. Either by talking directly to her, or by doing something (like blocking your own driveway) to keep her from doing it.

Also, just another thought.... You said you don't use your driveway since it's too awkward to get in and out of...and in your last post you said you oftentimes do block your own driveway. It's possible that your neighbor may see that and think that it's ok to just use that spot as another on-street parking space. Unless you talk to her, you won't know, and she may not realize she's doing anything that's irritating you.

 

[cm8]

You aren't a bad neighbor for wanting your driveway to be clear, it should be clear, unless you are the one blocking it.

My suggestion was merely that, a suggestion. Without knowing your exact neighborhood, the rules, the specific traffic patterns, the business (busy-ness?) of it, and your lack of wanting to say anything to the neighbor and your husband's procrastination in saying anything to the neighbor, I was thinking that by blocking your own driveway, you could open another spot for your neighbor that may be farther away from your own house -- which would alleviate both of your problems (her blocking your driveway, and the noise from the midnight alarm).

As I said, I don't know that this would help or not without knowing your neighborhood better than I do (which is not at all!). For all I know, you parking in front of your driveway could put her car more directly in front of your home.

You asked for advice, but the only advice we can give you, you already know. Do something to fix the problem. Either by talking directly to her, or by doing something (like blocking your own driveway) to keep her from doing it.

Also, just another thought.... You said you don't use your driveway since it's too awkward to get in and out of...and in your last post you said you oftentimes do block your own driveway. It's possible that your neighbor may see that and think that it's ok to just use that spot as another on-street parking space. Unless you talk to her, you won't know, and she may not realize she's doing anything that's irritating you.

This!