AITA for asking my neighbors not to park behind me?

A Redditor shared their frustrations about parking issues with a neighbor in their triplex. Despite having clearly labeled driveways, the neighbor frequently has guests who park behind the Redditor’s fiancé’s work van, obstructing access to tools and movement.

After verbal requests were ignored, the Redditor left a polite note on the car, asking them to stop parking there without permission. Now, they’re wondering if their actions were too much and might escalate the situation. Read the story below.

‘ AITA for asking my neighbors not to park behind me?’

I want to start off by saying: I live in a triplex. There are three driveways to this complex. One for the first unit, one for the second unit, and two for my unit (the biggest unit). All driveways have been spray painted to label which driveways are belonging to which unit.

Recently, my neighbor has been having people stay over at their place for weeks at a time. I really do not care if they have people over, it’s not my business and not my issue. But recently, they started to tell their friends/family to park behind my fiancé’s work van- which is on our side of the driveway.

They did not ask if it was okay, and it was not just for one day. A day came where we had to ask them to move so that my fiancé could open the back doors to his van (they parked close enough to where he couldn’t open them), they moved their car, and then when we went back inside they moved right back.

Mind you, their side of the driveway has space for another car, but they chose to park behind ours. I imagine they tell their friend/family to park behind our van because they move their car during the day and don’t want to have to rearrange cars when they have to leave (they’d have to park one in front of the other).

I tried to knock on their door to tell them they needed to move their car so my fiancé could move/operate his van for work, even just to get tools out of the back, but they would not answer the door. They have been extremely rude to me in the past for no reason, and they are very new to the complex.

I decided to write a short note and put it on the windshield of their car. The note says: “Please do not park behind this van without asking. I need to be able to get tools out and get out of this spot because of work. Thank you.”

For some reason, I just feel guilty and like they will get upset and go to my landlord making it an issue. Am I an a**hole for making them move? Or am I overthinking things?

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

am1amilf −  NTA – honestly? I would call the towing company to have their vehicle towed if they don’t answer the door.

Aggressive_Cattle320 −  NTA They have no right to park in front of anyone else’s driveway, as that blocks vehicles from leaving and entering. You did the right thing by leaving them a note. You’ve been polite and have not started any battles with them. If they have guests, they can have them find street parking or park behind their cars in the driveway. They aren’t allowed to block any other driveway.

If they go to the landlord, that will be fine, because they will be told they can’t park in front of your driveway!! You’ve done nothing wrong. If they do continue to ignore your requests, the next step would be to contact your landlord or management company and let them handle it.

ostrichfood −  NTA – Normally, I would say you should not get the landlord/towing/cops (non-emergency line) and work it out with your neighbors…but it’s time you do… If I’m understanding correctly, the 2 parking spots for your unit…are, well, for you…meaning others shouldn’t be parking there…..

It’s one thing if they answer and move it when you ask…even though you shouldn’t have to…but they clearly seem to not care enough to answer you. Alternatively, if the 2 parking spots are back to back and they are only for your unit…why not just park your car in the back unit? So that no one could park behind your car

gnowZ474 −  So, why not just park your cars at the end of the driveway so they can’t park behind you?

No_Side2998 −  NTA. Your driveway isn’t their overflow parking lot, and it’s wild they’re acting like it is. The note was polite, and honestly, you’re nicer than most. If they can’t respect painted lines and basic courtesy, maybe they need to park somewhere with fewer rules—like Mars.

OriginalJaan −  Why doesn’t she just back in, and leave it parked halfway down the driveway with no space for someone else to park there? Problem solved.

Forward-Dingo1431 −  You have been courteous and respectful to no avail. First, I would speak with your landlord. You are paying a premium for that unit and should get what you’re paying for. They clearly have no respect for you, so I don’t see a way around getting the landlord involved. If that doesn’t help, then you have them towed. NTA

ClassicCommercial581 −  NTA Actually, you are the one who should go to the landlord. It is an issue. What if your boyfriend misses work because they won’t answer the door? Or any other situation?

Mr-Zee −  NTA. I would be petty and start knocking on their door in the middle of the night because “I have to go to work _now_”. I would also start parking at the end of my driveway so there’s no room for them. If none of that works then start parking on _their_ driveway.

Clean_Factor9673 −  NTA. You go to your landlord and make it an issue. Tow them as they have no right to your driveways. You should’ve done that the first time they parked in your spot. Whst foes tour lease say about visitors? Thete are usually restrictions.

Do you think the Redditor’s note was a reasonable way to handle the situation, or could they have addressed it differently? How would you deal with a neighbor’s repeated parking infractions? Share your thoughts below!