I am having some trouble with my elderly neighbour, need some advice

LegacyUser

I have an elderly neighbour next door in his mid 70's who is causing trouble with me and my Uncle. (Whom I live with) The neighbour parks his car around 1-2 feet down on my wall out on the road, even though he has his own driveway. We can't park as we have no vehicle.

The man does it solely to annoy us and stir the ****. The man is bad, he got people laid off from his old job, men with families. His company left employees take some free stuff home which hadn't be gone before the weekend, which they allowed, but the man kept reporting employees as stealing the stuff, even the management didn't like him. But regards the car, I have contacted An Gardaí about it but they said they cannot do anything about it, they said the man is entitled to do it. But he is doing it to taunt us, it is a source of laughter ATM on the road. His driveway is not used and he is 1-2 feet down on our side. I use a bike so if a car parks outside my house the car blocks the gate, as they can't park fully in front of the wall because of the man parking down, this has happened before.

The Gardaí have been called down before over the matter, but they did not resolve it. I have retaliated by playing the music a bit loud, as I technically can from 8AM-10PM. (as he can technically park outside) It has gotten him to move in earlier sometimes, though he still does it very very often. He has called his son up in the past week and I fell like trouble could be brewing. How can I resolve the situation? The old man will continue to park 1-2 feet down our side of the wall, not using his old drive way at all, and potentially blocking the gate for my bike.

MissFlitworth

Are you saying your neighbour parks on the road but his car can be 1-2ft down past his property & in front of the wall of your property? And that if another car parks on your road then that car blocks your gate? Because if so then your next door neighbour isn't doing anything at all wrong (especially as you don't have a car yourself to park there), you don't own the road in front of your house.

I know sometimes in estates small things people do can be very annoying but you really need to chill out about this, he isn't doing anything wrong and if he is doing something to get a reaction out of you he's succeeding. Playing music loudly between 8 & 10 in revenge is a bit of a d1ck move, in this situation you're kinda the bad neighbour & not the guy with the car

ElleEm

You seem to have issues with this man outside of the parking, as you mention stuff that has nothing to do with you or your issue.
Have you calmly asked him to park his car further down so you can fit your bike in? It may suit him better to park on the road for mobility issues or whatever. Maybe put it to him that if he finds this a better place to park his car, can you use his driveway while it's not in use. Stay calm and don't rise to him if he starts pisstaking!
Regardless of your neighbours, his past etc. this is something that has to be resolved between you, your uncle and this man.
You're acting really immature by playing music loudly. This will not solve your issue.

IrishEyes19

Out of interest, have you talked to him about it, or do you know his son. Im sure you have already, but maybe a sensible talk may just reach home.

LegacyUser

I think unless you experience a neighbour been a dick to you regarding parking you dont understand the frustration. Its easy for MissFlitworth to say chill out cause she probably never experienced it herself. I have pig ignorant neighbours opposite that parked opposite my drive all the time and I found it really hard to reverse out my drive or swing into my drive. I thought maybe they didnt realise what they were doing so I went over. I never want trouble or cause it so I was polite but was I shocked when I was shouted at the door and told they dont park opposite that often. They park all the time. They went on about my next door neighbour blocking them at times. I said but thats not me, I never block anyone. They said they didnt care if there car was hit, its really old, but I care if I damage my car as its quite new. I came home in tears. They had never done this when I had lived with my fiance here. The guards told me in an estate you dont own the road in front of your house but if its causing you obstruction entering or leaving your house the car will be moved on and to ring them. Its a pity you dont have a car to park outside your house. But if its obstructing you in any way ring the guards and demand they come up as some are sound and others just cant be arsed. I remember a friend had the exact same problem as you afew years back but her guy his insurance and tax was way out of date and it was a big van. I told her ring the guards. They said they would come up and check it out that night. They didnt. She rang back and they said someone obviously went up and checked it out and she said NO you didnt and if he goes and knocks someone down or is in an accident its on your head it will be. Low and behold up they came. She never had the problem again! By the way karma came knocking on my pig ignorant neighbours but I wont go into it but eventually it catches up on you!

Justask

Totally confused

from your post im read it as you live in an estate? He parks the car on the road of the estate? (main road for the public)?

But parks the car that some of the car in otherside your house?

Am I reading this totally wrong?

Unless you worked for this man and have been affected by the things you claim, its non of you business.

LegacyUser

Do you have a driveway with a dropped kerb?
If so and he parks over that he is wrong, but he can park in front of your house as long as it's not covering a dropped kerb.

Your OP is not very clear but if I understand it correctly you are annoyed that he parks in front of your house a bit but you have no car yourself?

I also think you are being a ridiculously nosy parker regarding the mans previous employment record. You sound like you listen to too much tittle-tattle. As for blaring your music, that's antisocial regardless of the time.

The parking thing is none of your business tbh.

LegacyUser

I am surprised people arent supporting the OP more. Ok I dont agree with the blaring music. If someone is parked outside your house and not their own and wont even use their drive when its empty they are been a complete dickhead to you. OK so legally u dont own the front road of your house but when you buy your house you assume you're using it and people visiting you. Its just manners and common decency to respect people and their space. I would have to be an asshole to come home and not park in my own drive and decide to park infront of my neighbours!

LegacyUser

I remember a time before when his car outside was his drive,not outside our wall. He saw me when I went down the road to a cousin for 2 minutes, in those 2 minutes the man drove up the road, around an avenue and came down again and parked his car HALF way down my wall, with only a bit of his car on his side. (so nobody could park on his dignified path)

Ye want to know if I can use his drive way? If the QUEEN was over from England and he was parked outside he would be out telling her to **** off. One time when he came back from driving and he parked his car, he reversed up the road (while on the path) about 6 houses and drove down to where he was parked on the path and drove down 3 houses, and reversed up again and parked for good. The man is retired, he has nothing to do. Instead he parks his car 1-2 feet down until 8-9PM at night and only goes out then, after all day, and puts his car in his drive way then. Why doesn't he put his car in his driveway when he is in the house for good, 9 hours earlier in the day?

Another time his car was in his driveway at 10.30PM and he reversed his car outside, and drove 8 feet down to my gate and up again 4 times, beeping a couple of times, and put his car in his drive way again. We are the laughing butt of the place ATM. He is deliberately taunting us.

Are you saying your neighbour parks on the road but his car can be 1-2ft down past his property & in front of the wall of your property? And that if another car parks on your road then that car blocks your gate? Because if so then your next door neighbour isn't doing anything at all wrong (especially as you don't have a car yourself to park there), you don't own the road in front of your house.

No, his car is out on the road, and from my window and his his half his car is on his side and the other half is on my side. So if people park outside my wall they have to obstruct my gate, all because he parks 1-2 feet down. I have a bike and I can't get outside when a car is outside my gate as I have very little room to maneuver, I have to lift my bike over my neighbors wall. Meanwhile the man has a driveway and he does not use it until the evening, even though once he goes into his house at 1-2PM after being out he never has to go out again, he deliberately keeps it outside his drive, 1-2 feet down my side, and brings it in evening time. Whenever his sons come up they all laugh out loud at the incidents. BTW i'm doing absolutely nothing wrong when I am playing my music.

ElleEm

Have you asked him to move his car?

Justask

I really thing you are making a moutain out of a molehill.

If he is (which i doubt) doing it to P*ss you off its working isn't it.

Seriously if this is all you have to worry about I envy you.

IMO i think you should just forget about it and not let something like this annoy you so much.

LegacyUser

Have you asked him to move his car?

When his car was out in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, because I decided to park my bike halfway between my wall and his, yes. Well we had a medium in a Gardaí. He said he is entitled to park out there and the Gardaí said he is legally allowed to do so. I can't leave my bike outside all the time because it could get knocked off. It is legal for me to play my music from (I checked there) 7AM until 10PM. I have received no complaints as of yet, infact he doesn't park right down sometimes since I started the music.

I really thing you are making a moutain out of a molehill.

If he is (which i doubt) doing it to P*ss you off its working isn't it.

Seriously if this is all you have to worry about I envy you.

IMO i think you should just forget about it and not let something like this annoy you so much.

No offence, but it is pretty darn obvious he is trying to stir the ****. Going out a 10.30PM when he is already in for the night, driving up and down outside my wall 4 times, beeping and then going back into his driveway.

What I am tensed about is the situation appears be worsening. The man is in his mid 70's, if he was younger the situation would have been sorted out already. If you say it is legal what he is doing, despite him obviously taunting and making a fool out of us, then I say it is legal to play music from 7AM until 10PM. But the situation can only get worse. What he is doing may be legal, but the way the storm is heading something illegal is gonna happen.

temply

The Guards have to deal with some ridiculous petty stuff.

You don't have a car, nor does your uncle

I'd find something else to worry about if I was you.

I am a friend

temply wrote: »

The Guards have to deal with some ridiculous petty stuff.

You don't have a car, nor does your uncle

I'd find something else to worry about if I was you.

+1 and stop wasting the guards time with petty petty neighbourhood issues. They are stretched to capacity as it is and I would rather them out hunting down drugs dealers than deal with petty squabbles.

Musicman2006

Leave your bins out. Job done.

But personally, if neither you or your uncle have a car then i dont see the problem.

dellas1979

Am sooo confused reading your posts.

From what I gather, he is blocking your drive way and you cant get your bike in or out.
OR
The way he is parking is forcing other people to park in a spot where they also shouldnt.

I dont mean this in a ****ty way - but maybe calm a little when you write - you are almost in a state of rant there when you are typing - might be clearer.

sam34

anxiousATM wrote: »

He said he is entitled to park out there and the Gardaí said he is legally allowed to do so.

so stop bothering the guards with petty squabbles.

you remind me of kids squabbling "thats my side of the room" etc

LegacyUser

Well i'm allowed to legally play my music from 7AM-10PM so that sorts out the legal squabble. I like my Trevor Nelson mixes.

For those worrying about Gardaí services being used up, lets see what happens the next time I have to lift my bike over my fence and he laughs as I do it, maybe your reserves would be valued then. (BTW, the Gardaí would be doing a much better job at tackling crime if they had the latest technology installed into their cars, the type they already have in England, but the Gardaí want to get paid more to use computers, and they rightfully don't get paid more.) What I find funny is people ignoring the obvious taunting on his behalf, and about the only time I parked my bike a bit outside his driveway he held traffic up with his car in the middle of the road and the Gardaí were called. Traffic was stalled for 5 minutes.

Justask

anxiousATM wrote: »

Well i'm allowed to legally play my music from 7AM-10PM so that sorts out the legal squabble. I like my Trevor Nelson mixes.

For those worrying about Gardaí services being used up, lets see what happens the next time I have to lift my bike over my fence and he laughs as I do it, maybe your reserves would be valued then. (BTW, the Gardaí would be doing a much better job at tackling crime if they had the latest technology installed into their cars, the type they already have in England, but the Gardaí want to get paid more to use computers, and they rightfully don't get paid more.) What I find funny is people ignoring the obvious taunting on his behalf, and about the only time I parked my bike a bit outside his driveway he held traffic up with his car in the middle of the road and the Gardaí were called. Traffic was stalled for 5 minutes.

You seriously need to get a hobby or something.

Do you read back on your posts?

I dont think anyone is going to tell you what you want to hear here.

Ouote.....
For those worrying about Gardaí services being used up, lets see what happens the next time I have to lift my bike over my fence and he laughs as I do it, maybe your reserves would be valued then.

This sounds to me like a threat of violence to a 70 year old man

mikemac

So this is a push bike you have?

At first I thought it was a motorcycle but you seem to be able to lift it over the wall so obviously not.

I still can't see how he is blocking your gate and you can't get your bike in

Less ranting and more info please.

I am a friend

anxiousATM wrote: »

Well i'm allowed to legally play my music from 7AM-10PM so that sorts out the legal squabble. I like my Trevor Nelson mixes.

For those worrying about Gardaí services being used up, lets see what happens the next time I have to lift my bike over my fence and he laughs as I do it, maybe your reserves would be valued then. (BTW, the Gardaí would be doing a much better job at tackling crime if they had the latest technology installed into their cars, the type they already have in England, but the Gardaí want to get paid more to use computers, and they rightfully don't get paid more.) What I find funny is people ignoring the obvious taunting on his behalf, and about the only time I parked my bike a bit outside his driveway he held traffic up with his car in the middle of the road and the Gardaí were called. Traffic was stalled for 5 minutes.

Have you nothing else to worry about???

coolcat63

You know the old saying about the best revenge? Having a happy life. OP, this man might take delight in having a (very) petty squabble with you and 4 feet of pavement but rise above it, ignore him and it won't bother you any more.

Honey-ec

anxiousATM wrote: »

Well we had a medium in a Gardaí.

So did you actually ever speak to him about it, or did you ring the Gardai straight off the bat?

Methinks this one should have gone into Ranting & Raving.

krudler

dress as Death, throw pebbles at his window then when he looks out point to an imaginary watch on your wrist, he'll have more things to think about after that than where to park his car.

or just ask him to stop doing it, whichevers easiest.

LegacyUser

(A) He parks way down my wall, even though he has his very own drive-way, and making other cars block my gate so I have trouble getting my bike out- that's legal. (and drives up and down my wall 10.30PM at night multiple times beeping)

(B) I play the music from 7AM until 10PM- that's legal.

Alright so now we have A and B sorted out, what can we do to stop the situation from escalating? He stirred the **** first by parking outside my wall, a deliberate taunt. (Use your common sense, it is technically legal but read in between the lines, see how it "got the ball rolling", which seems impossible ATM) Now months down the line I started to play my music, which is another stone to the path. I can sense another stone coming on and I am almost sure that the situation will escalate, this is what I need help with. How can the situation be toned down before elsemore happens? His son is calling a lot more since the music started. (note: legal)

There seems to be a slight lack of comprehension of the situation ATM. >>He can park: OK with the Law. I can play music: OK with the Law. Situation escalating.<<

LegacyUser

I really don't understand this at all. How big is your bike that you have to lift it over a wall to get it out. Can you not just go down the path a bit until there is room to get the bike out? Who parks in fron of your house blocking you in? Also how is this going to escalate? you don't like where he parks his car so you play loud music. What's the next logical step from there in your mind? Take a deep breath, calm down and give a bit more information and you might get some better advice but tbh I think most peolpe would tell you to just ignore it and get on with your life.

MissFlitworth

anxiousATM wrote: »

There seems to be a slight lack of comprehension of the situation ATM. >>He can park: OK with the Law. I can play music: OK with the Law. Situation escalating.<<

There's no lack of comprehension at all, everyone understands what's happening. You are blowing something completely out of proportion (your neighbour parking on the road instead of in his driveway) and, to my mind, bullying an old man by blasting music at him and calling the gardai on him for no reason. It's none of your business where he parks his car unless he's blocking your drive or otherwise preventing you from accessing your home. If *other* cars park in front of your drive & stop you from getting your bike in then talk to the owners of those cars

DamoKen

How wide are your driveways? Maybe considering his age he finds it hard to judge the distance driving in an out?

You say he only parks there when he's in for the night. Well first thought is that he just finds it more convenient to park on the street when he knows he's going out again that day?

I've lived in estates before where the commonest cause of disputes was parking so I know how frustrating it can be. But blasting music out is not the way to solve it, regardless of whether or not it's your "right" to do it.

Could easily be initially he just found it more convenient to park on the street but due to no rational communication between you it's gone from convenience to tit for tat.

Life is far too short for something so petty to escalate. If it was me I would talk to him, rationally and calmly. Apologise for any misunderstanding (even if you feel you shouldn't have to) and just ask would he mind leaving enough room for another car to park without blocking your driveway.

If he ignores any attempt at reconciliation? well maybe he is just a p*ick plain and simple.

Nothing you can do in that case so relax, ignore and get on with your life, and for God's sake quit the petty revenge!!!

MicraBoy

anxiousATM wrote:

(A) He parks way down my wall, even though he has his very own drive-way, and making other cars block my gate so I have trouble getting my bike out- that's legal. (and drives up and down my wall 10.30PM at night multiple times beeping)....

There seems to be a slight lack of comprehension of the situation ATM. >>He can park: OK with the Law. I can play music: OK with the Law. Situation escalating.<<

If people are blocking your gate then you need to be taking it up with them. Get straight out the door or over to them when they do it. It doesn't matter what the old man is doing, they are at fault. If they say its because of the old man then tell them to take it up with him, but you are not going to suffer because of his ignorance. This way hopefully you will get a few others complaining to him and may be change his ways.

(B) I play the music from 7AM until 10PM- that's legal.

Frankly that's just passive-aggressive BS. You need to be talking to people in a calm way in order to get things sorted.

K_P

You ask how can the situation be toned down?

Either you can back down or he can, and lucky for you OP, you have complete control over one of those options.

Legal as it may be, stop playing your loud music. Try to talk to him, even if it just starts off as a quick hello as you pass each other. If he laughs at you, ignore him. DON'T involve the guards. Be friendly in any of your dealings with him.

This really is such an insignificant issue that you've built up to be huge deal. It will do nothing but escalate if you don't decide to be the bigger person and ignore him.

LegacyUser

what?? wrote:

I really don't understand this at all. How big is your bike that you have to lift it over a wall to get it out. 1 Can you not just go down the path a bit until there is room to get the bike out? Who parks in fron of your house blocking you in? Also how is this going to escalate? you don't like where he parks his car so you play loud music. What's the next logical step from there in your mind? Take a deep breath, calm down and give a bit more information and you might get some better advice but tbh I think most peolpe would tell you to just ignore it and get on with your life.

1) I am OK with the push bike, but I use a moped too and I can't get out my gate then. I have to wait until the person who had to park an extra 2 feet down, obstructing my moped from leaving the path, comes back so I can bring my moped out. There is a tiny tiny gap for my moped to pass through, but I could dent my moped against my gate and dent the car along with the other side of my moped very easily.

As for who parks in front of my house blocking me in? Anybody, I live in a busy road and multiple cars use the path on the road. People stopping by for 5 minutes, people stopping by for 30+ minutes with an appointment in the center nearby.

MissFlitWorth wrote:

bullying an old man by blasting music at him and calling the gardai on him for no reason.

Let's get this straight, I never once called the Gardaí to the house, I called to make a complaint at the station but that is all, I never called them to the house. The only time the Gardaí called was when I parked my bike half-way on my side of the wall and half-way on his wall. He still could get in his drive way as I was only taking up a bit of his pillar. But he parked his car in the middle of the road when he saw what I done and caused a traffic disturbance. This is why the Gardaí called. He held traffic up for 4 minutes on a busy road, because what I did once that he has been doing all the time.

It's none of your business where he parks his car unless he's blocking your drive or otherwise preventing you from accessing your home.

He is doing in indirectly, all the time. If he parked 1-2 feet up when a car that parks in front of my house could park 2 feet up, in front of my wall and not my gate. So it is my business where he parks. He has his own driveway, he doesn't even park in front of the driveway, he parks 1-2 feet down so people parking outside my wall have to block my gate. No offense but it is he who is doing the bullying. BTW he has no mobility issues, he can walk perfectly, he doesn't even need reading glasses to read. I think he will live another 10 years easily. One of my other uncles used to work with him, the man did security where he would for a majority of the day sit down and beep people in, he didn't have to work hard. A grand cushy number.

If there was space for him to park a bit down i'd say no problem, but he parks down so other cars can block my gate. He knows I only have a moped and bike so he bullies. I would like to repeat the incident when I parked my bike slightly up his side and he impeded traffic for 4 minutes, forcing the Gardaí to call down. I look out my window every day to see him parked way down. BTW I do the shopping on a Tuesday and he always parks down the full 2 feet then without question.

temply

you should get a boom box, go out and lie down in the space your eldery neighbour parks in, playing your trevor nelson mixes.

do this for a few days/nights and hopefully the elderly neighbour will get the message and park in his own driveway.

John Mason

okay, so he is not actually blocking your gate but the other drivers are - it this correct

i am very confused.

some people park across my driveway and it is a pain but a quick knock on the door and "hi, can you move your car" is all it takes.

in relation to parking on the street, we have two cars and both dont fit in the driveway, so i park on the street inbetween my house and my neighbours house, there is a little park space there, so time when i come home from work it is taken, its nothing to be getting so worked up about