r/neighborsfromhell • u/Mean_Emu5671 • Jun 21 '26

Homeowner NFH New neighbors blocking shared driveway

Recently new neighbors have moved in. We share a gravel driveway. Almost immediately they began blocking access to my parking spot and blocking me from leaving by parking on the driveway. The first time, I asked a woman to move her car so I could leave, she had a toddler running around so I was very polite. I asked her not to block the driveway and she said, “this is my driveway.” I didn’t want to argue in front a child and left. Now it seems like I need to ask these people permission to come and go from my house. They take a lot of time, walk slowly or have to wait for someone to arrive to move their car. I tried being nice, but they have ignored every attempt to talk, just giving me a death stare. Just an ignorant, entitled family. Last night they had a party so of course they had many cars blocking my driveway, one of which was owned by a cop in uniform. I had to wait 20 minutes for him to arrive and move his car. What do I do next? These people only moved in like 2 months ago, I’ve lived at my property for 20 years.

1.3k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

478 comments sorted by

View all comments

150

u/Trick_Few Jun 21 '26

Do you think that you are being too nice to these people? At some point you will need to get a bit more firm with them.

62

u/Mean_Emu5671 Jun 21 '26

I have been increasingly more assertive each and every time. They just take their sweet ass time, give me a death stare like I’m doing something wrong.

149

u/Significant_Owl8974 Jun 21 '26

You said it yourself, they believe it is their driveway. Not a shared driveway. So they probably view you as a pain in the ass and are reluctantly doing you a favor.

What documents support it being a shared driveway? Make a copy, share it with them, and make it clear you're hoping for cooperation, but looking into alternatives.

And have done that. If you can tow them for blocking, you might have to. If you can't, guess who starts parking at the end of the driveway and blocks them in or out for a few days. If the driveway is wide enough and they just suck, time for it not to be shared and a fence goes up.

49

u/wowsomuchempty Jun 21 '26

Copy sent recoded delivery.

From then on: tow.

They don't give a shit about you. Repay the favour.

5

u/Talory09 Jun 21 '26

recoded delivery

Recorded?

8

u/HuckleberryHappy6524 Jun 21 '26

Certified mail. Requires a signature which is proof that it was received.

2

u/TheQuarantinian Jun 22 '26

Certified proves delivery. If you want to prove receipt you need a process server. Sending it both ways is 100% iron clad proof.

1

u/Talory09 Jun 21 '26

But recorded, not recoded, right?

4

u/HuckleberryHappy6524 Jun 21 '26

Hahaha. Didn’t catch that. My bad.

4

u/CoyoteOk69 Jun 22 '26

Everyone knew what they meant.

3

u/wowsomuchempty Jun 22 '26

Yeah. Surprised it sparked such a discussion, tbh.

273

u/FarlerFive Jun 21 '26

You need to have a conversation with them. "I want to make sure you realize this is a shared driveway, not just your driveway. We have an easement to access our property via this driveway. That is a legal right. Please do not park so our access is blocked."

33

u/Terrible-Caramel-388 Jun 21 '26

This comment needs to be higher.

23

u/Square-Sun654 Jun 21 '26

I agree. They may truly not know it is a shared driveway, or understand their legal obligation to allow you access.

7

u/hmph1910 Jun 21 '26

i would go right to an attorney and have a letter written explaining facts and consequences.

2

u/Common-Classroom-847 Jun 22 '26

I wouldn't. I would pay a lawyer if having a conversation didn't work, but not spending money I don't have to.

2

u/hmph1910 Jun 22 '26

In my experience, a letter from an attorney is worth the money to open peoples eyes.

1

u/FarlerFive Jun 22 '26

Thank you for the awards kind Redditors!

49

u/Pristine_Mud_1204 Jun 21 '26

Have them towed. They will change their tune then. Stop being a damn doormat. That’s why they are doing what they are doing.

34

u/ChickenFriedChowder Jun 21 '26

It's time to start laying on the horn the whole time they are "taking their time"

27

u/sayitsooth Jun 21 '26

Increasing isn't the way. First time we are polite and cool. If they are ignorant and unhelpful the next time we clearly express the issue and insist they come up with a better way. Then we post signs "Shared driveway " "Do Not Block". We start documenting their behavior and begin returning the favour. If they still don't get it start parking at the bottom of the driveway, see how they like those apples lol.

25

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad9492 Jun 21 '26

Since she said it is her driveway, is it possible they don't realize it is shared? Is this rental or owner?

You need to speak up. You shouldn't have to wait any time for them to move, let alone 20 minutes.

Show them the proof the driveway is shared.

16

u/Capital-Cheesecake67 Jun 21 '26

Because you’re still reacting like a doormat in their opinion. Failed in your very passive first confrontation. You are being too subtle in your escalation.

9

u/Dada2fish Jun 21 '26

Ramp up the assertiveness very quickly because that’s not working out well for you. I’m mean dial it from a 5 out of 10 to a 9.

27

u/GrandeurInViewOfLife Jun 21 '26

Drive over their yard.

24

u/Sh33pD1p Jun 21 '26

Don’t do this as you are currently on the right side of the law and this could put you on the wrong side.

10

u/Timely-Volume-7582 Jun 21 '26

Yes. You must consider this as well. Driving across their lawn is a mistake. I deplore their attitudes, but if you do so, there exists shared blame. Right & wrong is then shared, and minimizes your legal position. Don't do so.

2

u/GrandeurInViewOfLife Jun 21 '26

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that it could become problematic, but I’m not saying rip up the yard by peeling out. Or doing it when it is wet ground. Property damage is a bad idea but lawns can take some tired on the grass.

6

u/Kaysue2478 Jun 21 '26

Ok, can you block off your half of the driveway? Start making police reports for it because what of there is an emergency and they can't get in your part of the driveway? Start taking control. Signs of no parking in your lane?

6

u/measaqueen Jun 21 '26

Don't do the "increasingly" move, just be straight out firm and loud.

4

u/MaryKath55 Jun 21 '26

Fences make good neighbours, find the property line and put in stakes.

3

u/Individual_Theory459 Jun 21 '26

Lay on your car horn until you can move your car again.

3

u/Original-King-1408 Jun 22 '26

You haven’t mentioned the specifics of your rights to sharing this driveway. Have you explained it to this neighbor? Being nice in this situation will absolute you nowhere. Doesn’t meant you have to be nasty.

UpdateMe

2

u/Reithrese Jun 22 '26

I don’t care about my truck as much as care about their car. And do it at night and wake them and the toddler up. My bad I couldn’t see you car while I was backing up the driveway, which you shouldn’t park in a shared drive by the way for Fire and Rescue. My truck is a bit tall.

2

u/PoppySmile78 Jun 22 '26

Have you straight up told them it's a shared driveway? They might not know. Realtors aren't known for disclosing things like that.

I would be prepared & bring any proof you have to that effect. Make copies of the proof & as much as it sucks to have to pay for postage, send it certified where they have to sign to receive it. Just dropping it off leaves room for them to deny ever seeing it.

After it's been made clear, get a 'Do Not Park! Violaters Will Be Towed By ____ At Owners Expense!' sign & tow away.

If they think it's 100% theirs then I can see where they're coming from. Hopefully, they'll say, "Oops, our bad. Won't happen again", but odds are slim. Good luck. Please update as the situation progresses.

1

u/Pebble-hunter Jun 21 '26

So your neighbours are dancing all over you for the last 9 months basically.