Neighbors messing up my driveway - what to do?

[Margie J]

Here's the issue:

I now own my Mom's home in another City. I go there on weekends to clean and check the property. The City has a ban on parking in the street overnight during the Winter.

Back in January I was approached by a man claiming to be the Brother of a neighbor. He asked if his niece could park in my driveway at night to avoid getting ticketed/towed by the City. I agreed verbally. I had not spoken directly to my neighbor though.

Last month, after a snow storm, I went to the house and not only had to ask the neighbor to move their car off my driveway so I could clean it but I noticed large drops of antifreeze. The neighbor helped me clean and I mentioned the mess. She made some excuse that her sister put antifreeze in the window washer instead and made a mess on their driveway too.

Today I went to the house and the first thing I noticed were spots of something covering my entire driveway. Yes, all over the place as if the car(s) have been parked all crooked and are leaking everywhere. It looks horrible.

I went right over to the neighbor and talked directly with the Mother of the girl who parks there. I pointed out the problem and calmly told her I did not like what I saw and it could not stay that way. The neighbor said her two daughters have junky cars. The neighbor did offered to clean it up but I really don't want them doing ANY work on my property when I am not there to supervise it. She did offer to reimburse me for the cost of cleaning items. I want it clean especially if I decide to sell this house soon and told her that. The response was "I don't think it will bother most people." If she wants to mess up her property that's her business but she won't mess up mine and leave it that way or say it's no big deal.

What struck me as weird during this whole thing is: A) I had to approach the neighbor about this first. She didn't say anything like "oh yes, I was meaning to talk to you about that." B) She agreed to help clean but offered no real apology regarding the mess. C) Her Brother works for or owns a company that does paving. That came up in conversation, oddly enough.

BTW - This same neighbor has not only asked if I had any furniture to give away days after my Mom's death but her Brother has also asked if I was selling the house any time soon. They all do this with a smile but it makes me wonder what's up with these people.

What would you do or say in this situation? I had a feeling I should have had them to fill out some form indicating which cars were parked there and when plus liability issues. That is common in surrounding Communities. It's too late for that this year but I still have to clean up this mess, literally and figuratively.

 

[kilee]

I'm assuming you told them they couldn't park there any longer. That would of been first on my list.

 

[Lorix2]

I'll bet you told them not to park there any more. But unfortunately unless you're there to enforce it and they know you're not, they might keep doing it.

You could always block the driveway with something? Also you can put up a "no parking" sign. If they park there still, you can always have the police remove it at their expense. They'll know you're not fooling around. I hate when people take advantage of someone's kindness, such as yours.

Sounds like their vehicles are leaking oil or other fluids. That'll eat up the pavement in no time. They are doing damage to your property and it should not be allowed to continue.

I'd take photos of the cars parked there and the mess they've left for any future problems you may have with these people....I'll bet it won't be the last unfortunately from what you're saying.

Be firm!

 

[mudnuri]

if your going to sell, you need to remember that when dealing with the neighbors...dont tick them off, if you do, when prosepctice buyers come, they could ruin the deal!

I'd just ask them not to park there anymore, and leave it at that, I woudnt fight for reimbursment or help etc.

Brandy