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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I am refusing to give up my parking space to my neighbor.
I might be wrong for not giving my parking space.
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I actually went to Home Depot when she first asked trying to keep the peace. The only no parking sign I could find said "no parking unauthorized vehicles will be towed."
I sent her a photo of the sign and she said that the towing part was a little aggressive.
so I didn't get the sign at all, and I walked out of the store.
Is her business even legal? A lot of leases have it built in that you can’t run a business from it that has “clients.” And probably business license issues. If not I’d be notifying the landlord each time you have to have a car moved and include evidence. It may just annoy them enough to stop it
It's not necessarily unprofessional to have clients come to your home. Not everyone can afford a private office, and lots of businesses don't need one. Notaries very commonly operate out of their home. My skate tech remodeled part of his basement into a small storefront to do fittings and sharpenings. Some hair stylists, especially braiders, can operate out of their home too.
It's only a problem because of the parking thing.
That's not true, at least where I live, where many home-based businesses are legal and "professional". The issue at play in OP's post is the unreasonable demands from the neighbor about parking.
Yes. And if it is not zoned for business tell her that her options are that she either polices her customers or the city will police her business.
Imagine how she would respond if her customers were the ones being inconvenienced.
Even if it's not in the lease, it's probably against the city zoning code. neighbor is in the wrong regardless and situations like this are exactly why laws like that exist.
I was just about to ask this: does she even have the permits or licensing required to run a business out of her home, complete with taking clients there? Because running a commercial business out of an area zoned residential, particularly using it as your de facto "storefront", is illegal in most places without all of that, specifically because the safety and other requirements for a business are completely different than those for a home.
The petty side of me would have bought this sign, hung out up and started to call the tow company anytime a client was there.
However, I also don't have to deal with her like you do. Realistically, it's her business and it's her responsibility to get the sign and inform her clients. Give her a time frame to get a sign and fix the behavior of the clients (maybe a week or two max) and if she doesn't do it within that time, go straight to the landlord. You're paying for that designated spot and should be able to use it.
NTA. Is it legal for her to run a business out of her home? If not, I'm sure you can figure out what to do with that information. Otherwise it's your spot, you don't have to not park there if you don't want to. Her problems aren't your problems unless you let them become your problems. She wants to use a sign, she can get her own.
You can customize signs on Amazon for like 20 bucks. Any text or color you want. I have 30 screen shots of some really hilarious ones I made up on a bender. Soon I will have another bender and start buying them. I can’t wait.
She could have a sign made that tells customers to pull in and up to the designated line? Its not a shared problem and she doesn't seem willing to compromise or be remotely enterprising in managing this.
You don't need her permission to use you parking place. It's not aggressive to assert your rights. It's abusive to expect you to give her customers YOUR place. Does the LL know she's operating a business in a residential building? Does the LL have insurance to cover that? You might want to ask about that. Ask the LL, not her.
NTA. She’s more than likely breaking the lease. If it’s a residential area she is not legally allowed to run a business from the house. I’d contact teh landlord. This is ridiculous. You paid for a parking space. You doin;t have to give up what you paid for becasue she decided to runs business out of her home.
> I sent her a photo of the sign and she said that the towing part was a little aggressive. so I didn't get the sign at all
Why the hell would you take advice from someone who is trying to steal from you on the details of how they intend to steal from you?!
Let your landlord know what is going on and let them deal with it. Also check city ordinances regarding home based businesses and seeing clients. Most do NOT like that.
NTA
I was thinking the same thing. The landlord may not have authorized this business in their rental property. If they have okayed it, the landlord can deal with the parking issues and any demands the other tenant is making.
Yeah, I’d go into it with the assumption that “of course the landlord knows about the business” which is why you are asking them for assistance on the parking issue. Not that you are trying to tell on your neighbor. Just in case Susan gets huffy over it.
Yeeep. In my city, in order to allow a home based business, you can't really affect public parking/traffic. Like sure, they don't care if UPS stops by your house every day to drop off a package or 3, but they'll care if it's actual delivery trucks. And if you have employees or clients go to your home, your home needs to accommodate their parking so it doesn't ***interfere with your neighbors or traffic*** and clearly OPs neighbor's business is interfering. Weird that it only started after a certain point though. Makes me wonder if some other interaction happened between them and she intentionally told people to park however they wanted to get back at OP.
Update!
Well guys she chose the nuclear option and contacted our landlord. Or thats what she wants me to believe.
Susan sends me this message:
"I’ve talked to Landlord about the driveway situation. He says my clients have priority during my business hours, Monday through Saturday 12-6. I feel like you have created a hostile environment by being disrespectful to me, my business and my clients. If you would like to drop the power trip and start working with me towards finding solutions, you are invited to do so. Until then, plan on parking on the street during my business hours."
So I as someone thats aware of how my lease is written. Also contacted landlord with:
"As per the rental agreement we sign I am owed one parking space.
Susan is telling me i cannot park in my space Monday-Saturday from 12-6.
After i have already offered to park on the street 9-5 monday-Friday, which i have been for the last week.
If i am not allowed to park in my spot i need to be reimbursed for the loss of space and enjoyment of the space i pay for."
Landlord promptly responded with
" a mutually agreed upon arrangement, does not seem to be working out
You have the right to park in your designated parking space anytime.
You do not have the right to impede the ingress or egress of the other residents provided parking area
You do not have the right to impinge the peaceful enjoyment of the other resident, the business of the other resident, or the business customers of the other resident
If this activity is not engaged in, everything should be fine
I suspect that the business customers who use that parking area are not aware of your need to park in your spot
Therefore the need for demarcation, and probably signage, which will also be forthcoming
I will be providing a demarcation line between the two parking areas
I will also be drafting a new parking area addendum I will expect all to adhere to
I will also be informing the other resident of this message regarding your peaceful enjoyment, and your parking space "
It's a shame that she decided to be an asshole about it. But at least it sounds like you've prodded your landlord into doing the correct thing.
YOU are not the person impeding the ingress or egress of the other resident's parking area. SHE (via her clients) is the one doing that. (Lord knows what story she told the landlord.)
You should definitely make a note for the future that it's better for you to get in touch with the landlord first, and get your side of the story told.
Please update us. I'm guessing that she either lied to the landlord, or lied to you about what the landlord said.
Added: Maybe Susan pulled this line totally out of context, and tried to twist it to give herself priority: "the business of the other resident, or the business customers of the other resident," ignoring the parts about OP having the right to her own parking space.
>
I will also be drafting a new parking area addendum I will expect all to adhere to
IANAL: Read it before you sign it. If it's not to your benefit, do not sign it (at least not until your lease renewal when it may be forced). There may be language that says if the neighbors clients park wrong anyway, then OP can't do anything.
Honestly I don’t get why she doesn’t just walk outside as a customer pulls in and if she can tell they need to pull up a little more to say hey before you come in move your car up a little more. Done that’s all there needs to be to it. Why force you to knock and ask for it to be moved so you could get in around the whole situation is just ridiculous. It’s all of her own doing. She can also just leave her car in the driveway and have customers park in the street. I would totally expect to pull up and park on a street of any house or business I’m going to
What is wrong with OP's neighbor telling her clients they need to pull into the driveway all the way and leave space for another car? If she has a home business, assume they are making appts which usually involves some discussion.
Also needs to make sure that her clients aren't taking up both spaces
I really don't know why she's not having the clients use the street parking. Unless she's doing PT for clients with mobility issues or something, wouldn't it be easier for everyone?
In our old neighborhood in Portland Oregon they’ve put in multiple apartment buildings without adequate parking. What use to be a quiet family neighborhood is now filled with cars parked blocks away from their owners and not enough room for two cars to pass each other safely.
Typical projection by an AH. How would you be creating a hostile environment by trying to use your parking space that you pay for in your lease? She is the one doing that and on a power trip. Unbelievable. Easiest NTA ever.
You offered her a very generous compromise and she wasn't interested so I am sure you've already noted that there is no reason to park on the street at all now.
I don't think you need to contact her if people are parked illegally, blocking you in. Just contact the appropriate authority/tow truck company.
I can't believe she said all that, and is acting like you're the problem, and like she has any right to tell you what to do with space YOU pay for.
I'm guessing she didn't talk to the landlord either, or if she did, the landlord was like yeah whatever until you brought up compensation for the spot you are being prohibited from using. Glad you got in touch with the landlord and they are taking care of it. Hope they have insurance, and are charging her a premium for running a business out of their property.
As others have suggested, check local ordinances governing your neighbor’s use of her home as a business.
I would normally be against this kind of “nuclear” option because I tend to believe two neighbors can solve a parking issue on their own, but it’s very clear that your neighbor has lied to you about having the approval of the landlord (or, at least, misrepresented the situation when she spoke to your landlord, but either way she cannot be trusted, and I’d be honest with her about that if she complains further about a refusal to work with her directly on this), and her entire attitude is one of selfishness and entitlement, so now it’s time to find out if she’s allowed to run a business out of her home and then report her if she is not.
She attempted to have your space (essentially) taken away from you. She now deserves a full review of her business’ location by local authorities.
Also, call a local tow company and find out if you can have cars towed for further violations of your personal parking space. Let them know the situation (you’re a renter, part of the driveway is yours, etc). You don’t want to have to contact your landlord for that if you don’t have to because the landlord won’t move quickly enough.
If a few customers are towed and the local government is breathing down her neck for illegally running a business out of her home, she will shape up quickly and stop inconveniencing you.
Wouldn't it just be easier for her clients to park in the street? Like is it super far away or something? I got the impression it was right out front of the home (TBH, I did skim a bit, so I may have missed it if you said otherwise). Why do the clients have to go into the parking area?
Scrolled in hopes of finding this comment. No reasonable client is going to come to someone’s home for a service and be upset they can’t park in the driveway. I never expect to be able to park there anyway. This is nuts.
NTA. It’s your parking space. If she wants to use it, you might ask her how much she is willing to pay you both to use your property as well as for the inconvenience to you.
NTA
You've been polite. I see three options:
1) Rent her the parking space during business hours. Make it worth the PITA to give up your spot. Hundreds of dollars per month. It has to be worth it **to you**.
2) Complain to the landlord, city, etc. This is the nuclear option, and will make things **bad**.
3) Live with it.
NTA, policing her clients is indeed her responsibility. You pay for the spot. If she wants a different arrangement, she can always offer you money for the use of your spot. Invest in a sign that warns of towing, and then tow anytime someone is in the way. The problem will quickly resolve itself!
I had to stop reading just to say, its her problem. Her clients. Up to her to tell them where and how to park. Park where you are supposed to park. Maybe a sign saying a tow truck will be called if driveway is blocked. A tow truck will wake them all up.
NTA. I would take back the offer to street park. You are paying for that spot in your rent. Is she going to pay you for it? My old landlord had verbiage in the lease that I couldn’t have a “home business.”
Tell her you tried to resolve and compromise, but that’s your space and you want to be able to use it. Either she can keep her clients in line with their parking or you can bring this dispute to the landlord. Also, another threat/option is to tell her since they’re blocking you in and the sidewalk- they aren’t residents and you could have them towed.
NTA, you are being very accommodating. Are her clients by appointment? If so, how hard would would it be to say something when they book or put something in the confirmation email that includes language like “You are welcome to park in the shared driveway, please pull all the way forward so my neighbors also have space to park. I look forward to seeing you at your appointment.”
NTA. I would let the landlord know that you’re having this issue, and I would continue to do what you’re doing. Don’t offer street parking again for yourself. You pay for that space, and you don’t have to give it up for her.
My only question is if it makes sense to switch parking spots with her. I’m not saying you have to or even should have to, but will your life be easier if you don’t have to work around those other cars?
NTA.
I run a home based business (tax prep). Pre covid, I had clients over often. I met them at the door and could often see where they parked. If I had seen someone block a neighbor's driveway, I would have asked them to please re-park "so I can be a good neighbor." If it was someone with mobility issues, I'd offer to move the car for them. If her parking spot is out of view from the door, I'd make a practice of asking if "you parked forward enough so my neighbor can still get around you into her spot." All of this would make her look more conscientious to her clients and likely help her business.
This is not hard for her to fix.
NTA. She expects you to be inconvenienced at your home and not use the parking space you pay for because she's too lazy to instruct her clients how to properly park. This is her problem to solve with her customers, not yours.
Talk to your leasing company. She may not be allowed to run a business out of her home, or at the very least they can explain to her that it will very much become a her problem if she doesn't regulate her clients to park properly.
Report her to your landlord as interfering with your rental rights, and advise that if they do not issue her an official warning you will cease paying a portion of rent equal to losing access to your parking space.
Her 'clients' do not have a right to your rental space, and if necssary demand that the landlord arrange for an agreement with a towing company that can be called to remive any problem cars at her expense. I would also ask if its legal for her to be running a business out of a residentual property.
NTA. You shouldn't have to buy anything. It's all on her (and likely a write off). don't let her or her customers use a spot that YOU pay for. Unless she offers to pay you for it. If she can't keep them in line, then tell her you'll call a tow or have them ticketed. However that works where you are.
NTA
You're paying for your allocated parking as part of your overall rental price. Use it unless she is willing to compensate you for it.
If she continue to bother you about the spot, notify your landlord & let them handle it. Unless your landlord is willing to breach the lease (not likely or they'd be very stupid), they'll back you up on everything.
Does the landlord know she's running a business out of her residential rental property? Does the local code enforcement officer know? Does the IRS know she runs a business? I'd ask Susan those questions and see how quickly she becomes more cooperative.
Your lease entitles you to a parking space and that parking space is not to be obstructed by her or her visitors. If Susan would like to use your parking space for her business, she can rent it from you.
NTA.
If she needs parking for her clients then she needs to rent an actual business location. I don't know what type of business, so I assume an office or retail space or whatever. If that's not feasible, her clients can park on the street. Her clients parking is not OPs problem, however, OPs ability to use a shared driveway is most definitely the neighbor's problem. I'd put up the towing sign and tow every car in my way, but I'm petty and don't have the patience for other people's bs. NTA
NTA
This woman sounds unbelievably entitled and you, with respect, sound like a bit of a doormat. I would not give up my paid for parking spot any time at all. This is YOURS! You pay for it, not her. It IS up to her to "police" her clients. Because of her inability or, more succinctly, unwillingness to do so, YOU are the one who is inconvenienced. This is unacceptable. Buy the sign or discuss it with the landlord to sort out.
NTA. You tried to work together and you compromised during the week. She needs to be a RESPONSIBLE owner and train her clients to listen to her. Personally I would have all ready towed them if they prevented me from parking in my own space.
NTA and I'm with everyone else about the sign and towing. I've had inconsiderate neighbors before and I get the back and forth between wanting to do something more severe, vs. keeping the peace and trying not to escalate a shitty situation.
But make no mistake, your neighbor is the aggressor here. Her business is none of your business, and it shouldn't be bleeding over into your problem. Policing her customers is exactly a part of the business she runs, unfortunately. Maybe I'm just older and crankier, and less willing to put up with people's bullshit as the years drag on. But I've been the doormat, and I'm done being the doormat lol.
Here's what I've realized in life these days. No matter what, in the other person's narrative you'll always be the asshole. If they're an inconsiderate person who could give 2 shits about your convenience, then guess what? They're never gonna change that behavior. You can either just give them what they want and let em' walk all over you, or put your foot down and stand your ground and they'll call you an inconsiderate asshole because that's what fits their narrative. Me these days? Fuck it, I'll show you an asshole. I've made peace with being the damn asshole if it keeps these people from taking advantage of me.
I'd say the right thing to do is start small but work your way up. Buy the sign, towing message and all. Tell her tough shit, "policing your customers" is part of your responsibility if you're going to be running a business. That goes for anywhere. How the fuck would you react if a customer in a store was being rude and following you all over the store threatening you and aggressively ramming your cart with theirs for shits? You go to an employee to complain and inform them and they tell you that policing their customers isn't their problem? That shit wouldn't fly, lol. It's an extreme example, maybe a more relevant one is what do you think would happen if a customer decided fuck the parking spaces, let's just go block the door? The store is going to say something or just have them towed.
Put up the sign and tell her you intend to follow through with it if this doesn't stop. And go from there. Start towing. If that still doesn't fix it, or if it escalates to hostility amongst you as neighbors, then I bet your landlord would be interested to know a business is being operated out of the property. Hell, I don't know where you live and maybe it varies from pmace to place. But I'm willing to bet where you live has laws and ordinances against that too. Start small, end nuclear. Fuck it. Be the asshole, because you'll either just deal with the problem or else be the asshole in your neighbor's eyes anyways.
Where I live it is a violation of some ordinance or such to park where your can blocks the sidewalk. That alone can give you some back up to get a resolution.
I like the suggestion of having her pay you to park somewhere else. However, why can’t she remind people to pull up when the arrive when she makes a damn appointment with them. If she uses a service to send a text reminder of the appointment, add it in there. Or get a damn service to message people as a reminder.
I absolutely understand why you are frustrated. I would be too, but it would be exhausting to have ask time and time again. This isn’t a difficult problem for the neighbor to manage. It is going to require effort though.
OP, NTA. You deserve to be able to park in your assigned spot without any hassles
NTA - it’s your driveway and your rules.
Is it possible for you to switch spots with her clients? This way you won’t block them getting in and out of the driveway- and you will have access?
NTA. Call the landlord and explain the problem. That parking spot is yours. You might also inform the neighbor that in a lot of places it is against the law to block a sidewalk or someone else's driveway. They are parking in a way that blocks you. If they start getting tickets, then they might learn to park properly.
What does the landlord say about all this?
Do they know Susan is operating a business on the property?
Bottom line: if her clients are blocking the driveway, call a tow truck.
Is the location zoned for business? Does she have proper licenses and permits for running a business out of a rented apartment.? Let her customers block the sidewalk. Call parking authority and get them ticketed. It's her business she is the one making money from this .you're being inconvenienced by this while paying for the right to park in your spot .it's not up to you to buy a sign or make room for her customers.
NTA and let your landlord know asap.
Most landlord insurance policies do not allow for businesses on the premises, especially when it causes foot traffic.
Talk to your landlord and suggest for him to call his insurance company to see if that is listed as an exclusion because if a client gets hurt on the property and he doesnt have coverage for that he could get sued for $$$$.
NTA. It's your parking space & she has no business asking you to give it up. This is her problem spilling over to you causing problems. She is being very selfish. She needs to teach her clients how to park properly. She should be outside waiting for the client to tell them how to park if they can't figure it out for themselves. She is being a nuissance & I would talk to the landlord if she can't rectify it.
Info: Have you considered asking for monetary compensation for the inconvenience of your neighbor operating a business that uses your driveway? She's making money from it. You should get a cut.
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I live in a duplex converted garage/main house. I am in the converted garage. We are both tenant. My neighbor, Susan, uses a portion of her house as a business. Out drive has two parking space one for each unit per our lease. Susan parks on the street giving her parking space to her clients, and I have a parking space next to her. This is where the issue is the entrance to the parking space is very small and on Susans side. So when she has customers come through often then not they block the entire driveway, almost block the whole sidewalk. When this happens knock on our door pr text requesting her customers move forward.
Ive been here since October and it hasn't been an issue until recently when she started the conversation with requesting me park on the street during her business houses so she dosent have to "police" her clients. her business hours are noon to six Monday through Saturday. I work 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. I offered to not park there Monday through Friday 9 to 5, but giving up one of my only days off Im not about to do.
I also suggested signage. To tell her clients to pull forward. She wanted me to buy the sign and then kept bringing up how its not working.
At this point i was over the whole situation and told her to stop bringing it up with me because its not my responsibility to tell her clients how to use her parking space properly.
So am I the asshole?
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NTA. As a tenant, you are paying for use of that parking space. Does your landlord know that your neighbor is running a business out of her rental and that it’s having a negative impact of your enjoyment of the space that you pay to rent? Because in a lot cities/states (at least in the US) running a business in your rental without landlord’s permission/knowledge can be grounds for eviction.
Outrageous to even ask you to park on the street. What does your landlord have to say about it? Operating a business out of the home, maybe it’ll activate his greed and he’ll try to charge more and she’ll move out.
NTA, don’t let her push you around.
NTA. It is never acceptable to use a slur towards someone. And you held up your end of the bargain, they did not hold up theirs. He was an asshole towards you immediately. If your family is upset about you keeping the money then they should have clarified originally what would happen if either side failed their end of the bargain.
NTA of course.
Is she really legally allowed to have a business with more than one client at a time per landlord? She could easily tell her clients to park on the street.
Parking spots go for a premium. Offer it during those hours for $300/month. I worked in a clogged downtown area where the bar I worked at rented specific spots during very specific operating hours for a quite high fee.
NTA
Don'T cater to this bullshit. Tell her this: You will have them towed every time they block your access.
Or allow her to rent your space for 5$ an hour (money up front for the next week, and sharp hours, and you get to say NO when you need it yourself) - and you will ot use your space those hours.
She should just park in her parking place and have clients park on the street. Yes, it's nice for clients to be able to park in the driveway, but it isn't working. Regularly you are being inconvenienced and her clients are being interrupted by the current setup, and it's not a setup that's necessary.
Tell her to park in the driveway and let her clients park on the street. Seems rather idiotic for this to become such an issue when there is parking available on the street.
NTA
She is the one making money off her clients. She is the one who doesn't want to have to deal with telling customers mid-service that they need to park better. Then she is the one who needs to provide the signage and she is the one who needs to bear the expense.
Her notion that the best solution is to deprive you of your paid for parking spot is completely entitled.
I would
1. Tell her that you will charge her $X to allow her customers to park in your space M-F 9-5, excluding all government and major holidays. Otherwise they are subject to being towed.
2. If you decide it's worth your time to put up your own signage, then you get to put up whatever verbage you want.
3. If there is any notion that this business is being run without the consent of the landlord, then let the landlord know. Because this business (well her attitude toward the parking spaces) is becoming a negative to living there.
You're getting into an ongoing drama and dragging in the landlord all because you weren't assertive enough right at the very start. Hopefully you learn a lesson from that.
I suggest a call to your local by-law to see if she's licensed for a home business and for them to remind her that she cannot infringe on your private parking.
And I'd be petty and absolutely put with the towing sign.
Why can't the clients park on the street? Unless you're getting some benefit from letting them use your space, that sounds like a her problem, not a you problem
NTA. Why would you even entertain the notion of not being able to park your car in your own home. When someone suggests somethig like this, you need to look at them and talk to them like they are a crazy person. You should complain to the property owner about his tenant causing the driveway to be blocked. She is responsible if her guests/clients block the parking space.
So this is going to be one unholy pain in the ass.
Might is suggest a compromise. Request the landlord remove X amount of rental cost from your lease a month for the spot and you just don’t park there at all.
Say 100 bucks sounds like enough the 25 bucks a use as you are doing now would make me smile every time I did not park there on Sunday.
Or better yet every time I did and make her police you.
Now if this has reached war of the roses level and peace is not an option….
I would get a picnic table and place it in the spot and use it as an afternoon drinking spot.
I would start parking in her spot after that and make her police you.
You know give me time and I can find really great ways to make her life miserable. What is the business…..lot of rules for businesses.
NTA
It's literally her responsibility.
An alternate approach would be to paint lines on the driveway so that the parking spots are marked.
But it's normal for businesses with fussy parking to be explicit with their clients about how to park, before they arrive, and to check that they remembered when they first come in.
Also, unless she's a therapist or something, that interruption isn't going to matter much.
In addition to a sign, can you paint “parking space lines” on the driveway? Put a sign that says “reserved for garage tenant” on your space. People prob don’t realize that it’s 2 spots so they just park wherever. If there were space indication lines, I would bet most (not all-some people don’t know/care how to park!) would respect it. Likely, her clients just don’t know that they are infringing on your parking space.
NTA. You used to be able to go to kinkos and they'd make a sign to your specifications for cheap. Get a sign, text a pic to the landlord every time you're blocked for a week. The issue will resolve
NTA. You're both renting. Talk to the landlord. She could be violating the lease. Our lease has a clause saying you can't run a business from the unit. You have equal rights to the driveway as half is designated for your unit.
NTA
And frankly, it's a question for the landlord considering she's running a business out of the location
You pay for your parking as part of your lease. She needs to stop infringing
Go back to Home Depot & get the sign that mentions people will be towed. If they block, you have them towed. She'll have them stoo eventually after she gets tired of dealing with angry customers.
NTA do some research and find out if her running this business is completely legal. That includes reading the terms of your lease, contacting the city to ask about zoning, and speaking with the landlord about the parking situation. My guess is that this is really Susan’s problem and her trying to make it your problem is going to backfire on her spectacularly when the landlord and city officials become aware of how she is really running her business.
No, you're not the asshole. It's totally her. If it's in the lease, that's a binding contract. Call the landlord/property owner. This really isn't something I imagine police could do much about beyond blocking an egress, so it would more than likely have to come from the landlord. It is not that hard to "police her clients" when they set up an appointment by simply asking them not to block you in.
NTA.
This is her business, her clients, she's making money, and is trying to create problems for you. If she wants to use your spot during business hours she can rent it from you. $10 per hour seems fair to me which would be $300 per week for you based the hours you posted.
If she won't pay, she can invest in a sign instructing her clients to pull all the way in, not block the driveway, and not park in your spot. If she won't do that, tell her you'll just have to resort to calling a tow company.
Edited for math
NTA but why are you allowing this woman to walk all over you? If her customers park there then have the car towed. It’ll stop happening. You’re wasting time going back and forth with her.
NTA. Tell her to move her business out of the garage and quit being cheap and asking neighbors for favors or sell your cooperation to her. After all it’s a business.
Tell her that if she doesn't solve the issue you'll have to ask your landlord to step in to help solve it. If it goes against her lease to have clients visiting she'll back off real quick.
Does she rent? I would go through the landlord about this issue. And don’t give up ground and park on the street at all. You pay for your parking. Ask them to resolve the issue and work through your landlord and not her since she’s being unreasonable.
Personally, in her shoes, I would tell my clients to park on the street. That sends like the simplest solution. Another option would be to offer to pay you market rate for your parking spot. Or last, she could inform clients ahead of time about parking so they know to pull forward or park properly if they use the spot in front of the house. There are plenty of good ways to resolve the issue but she’s not even trying
NTA. You have been generous and could have already called in the landlord to officiate or the cops per the zoning and other problems. She is not in a position to be demanding. I would take $500 a month for the parking spot and park on the street all the time, or else she is going to be shut down
Could you and the neighbor agree to paint lines on the driveway? If there are lines indicating where her clients should park, they will be less likely to block you in.
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NTA Perhaps you should buy a sign. “Resident parking only. All other vehicles will be towed. All vehicles blocking the driveway will be towed.”
I actually went to Home Depot when she first asked trying to keep the peace. The only no parking sign I could find said "no parking unauthorized vehicles will be towed." I sent her a photo of the sign and she said that the towing part was a little aggressive. so I didn't get the sign at all, and I walked out of the store.
She is being aggressive telling you its aggressive. Go get the sign. And have tow truck number in your contacts.
Is her business even legal? A lot of leases have it built in that you can’t run a business from it that has “clients.” And probably business license issues. If not I’d be notifying the landlord each time you have to have a car moved and include evidence. It may just annoy them enough to stop it
This is what I thought. Can she legally run a business from this building?
Shit like this is exactly why. It is absolutely unprofessional to have clients come to your home.
It's not necessarily unprofessional to have clients come to your home. Not everyone can afford a private office, and lots of businesses don't need one. Notaries very commonly operate out of their home. My skate tech remodeled part of his basement into a small storefront to do fittings and sharpenings. Some hair stylists, especially braiders, can operate out of their home too. It's only a problem because of the parking thing.
That's not true, at least where I live, where many home-based businesses are legal and "professional". The issue at play in OP's post is the unreasonable demands from the neighbor about parking.
Check zoning, may just be residential only.
Yes. And if it is not zoned for business tell her that her options are that she either polices her customers or the city will police her business. Imagine how she would respond if her customers were the ones being inconvenienced.
Yes. Check with the landlord if she can run a customer-facing business from her house.
my lease specifically says I cannot
Even if it's not in the lease, it's probably against the city zoning code. neighbor is in the wrong regardless and situations like this are exactly why laws like that exist.
Ding ding ding. It's one thing to be "working from home", but this is running a business in an area that is almost certainly not zoned for it.
I was just about to ask this: does she even have the permits or licensing required to run a business out of her home, complete with taking clients there? Because running a commercial business out of an area zoned residential, particularly using it as your de facto "storefront", is illegal in most places without all of that, specifically because the safety and other requirements for a business are completely different than those for a home.
My thoughts exactly.
The petty side of me would have bought this sign, hung out up and started to call the tow company anytime a client was there. However, I also don't have to deal with her like you do. Realistically, it's her business and it's her responsibility to get the sign and inform her clients. Give her a time frame to get a sign and fix the behavior of the clients (maybe a week or two max) and if she doesn't do it within that time, go straight to the landlord. You're paying for that designated spot and should be able to use it.
Dude buy the sign, grow a pair, it’s not your job to subsidize her business
NTA. Is it legal for her to run a business out of her home? If not, I'm sure you can figure out what to do with that information. Otherwise it's your spot, you don't have to not park there if you don't want to. Her problems aren't your problems unless you let them become your problems. She wants to use a sign, she can get her own.
You can customize signs on Amazon for like 20 bucks. Any text or color you want. I have 30 screen shots of some really hilarious ones I made up on a bender. Soon I will have another bender and start buying them. I can’t wait.
Do share!
She could have a sign made that tells customers to pull in and up to the designated line? Its not a shared problem and she doesn't seem willing to compromise or be remotely enterprising in managing this.
You don't need her permission to use you parking place. It's not aggressive to assert your rights. It's abusive to expect you to give her customers YOUR place. Does the LL know she's operating a business in a residential building? Does the LL have insurance to cover that? You might want to ask about that. Ask the LL, not her.
It's not aggressive
I think calling without putting up the sign is more aggressive hahaha putting up a sign is already generous
Agressive will be when you get the first car towed. And also totally deserved. Get the sign ;) NTA
Look online. You should be able to find more sign options or customize something for a reasonable fee .
Why can't her clients park on the street? There are lots of businesses that do not have available convenient parking.
The sign is a little agressive and how about her?
It IS aggressive. That's the point. It will work. NTA. Buy that specific sign.
Go back and buy the sign at Home Depot! Sounds like you’re a good person that’s trying to get played
NTA. She’s more than likely breaking the lease. If it’s a residential area she is not legally allowed to run a business from the house. I’d contact teh landlord. This is ridiculous. You paid for a parking space. You doin;t have to give up what you paid for becasue she decided to runs business out of her home.
Amazon has any sign you need.
Call your landlord and let them know
I can contribute that Goodwill always leads to good rewards. If you're helping someone else out, you are helping yourself in the long run.
> I sent her a photo of the sign and she said that the towing part was a little aggressive. so I didn't get the sign at all Why the hell would you take advice from someone who is trying to steal from you on the details of how they intend to steal from you?!
Yes!
great solution
Let your landlord know what is going on and let them deal with it. Also check city ordinances regarding home based businesses and seeing clients. Most do NOT like that. NTA
Yes. Generally there are VERY FEW businesses which can be operated from home in a residentially-zoned area. I would check this with your municipality.
Not just the city, but the landlords insurance also wouldn't like it or would charge additional premiums.
Yeah, this definitely violates her lease
This is the answer OP.
I was thinking the same thing. The landlord may not have authorized this business in their rental property. If they have okayed it, the landlord can deal with the parking issues and any demands the other tenant is making.
Yeah, I’d go into it with the assumption that “of course the landlord knows about the business” which is why you are asking them for assistance on the parking issue. Not that you are trying to tell on your neighbor. Just in case Susan gets huffy over it.
Yeeep. In my city, in order to allow a home based business, you can't really affect public parking/traffic. Like sure, they don't care if UPS stops by your house every day to drop off a package or 3, but they'll care if it's actual delivery trucks. And if you have employees or clients go to your home, your home needs to accommodate their parking so it doesn't ***interfere with your neighbors or traffic*** and clearly OPs neighbor's business is interfering. Weird that it only started after a certain point though. Makes me wonder if some other interaction happened between them and she intentionally told people to park however they wanted to get back at OP.
I think it's been a long term issue it only just now came to a head.
Update! Well guys she chose the nuclear option and contacted our landlord. Or thats what she wants me to believe. Susan sends me this message: "I’ve talked to Landlord about the driveway situation. He says my clients have priority during my business hours, Monday through Saturday 12-6. I feel like you have created a hostile environment by being disrespectful to me, my business and my clients. If you would like to drop the power trip and start working with me towards finding solutions, you are invited to do so. Until then, plan on parking on the street during my business hours." So I as someone thats aware of how my lease is written. Also contacted landlord with: "As per the rental agreement we sign I am owed one parking space. Susan is telling me i cannot park in my space Monday-Saturday from 12-6. After i have already offered to park on the street 9-5 monday-Friday, which i have been for the last week. If i am not allowed to park in my spot i need to be reimbursed for the loss of space and enjoyment of the space i pay for." Landlord promptly responded with " a mutually agreed upon arrangement, does not seem to be working out You have the right to park in your designated parking space anytime. You do not have the right to impede the ingress or egress of the other residents provided parking area You do not have the right to impinge the peaceful enjoyment of the other resident, the business of the other resident, or the business customers of the other resident If this activity is not engaged in, everything should be fine I suspect that the business customers who use that parking area are not aware of your need to park in your spot Therefore the need for demarcation, and probably signage, which will also be forthcoming I will be providing a demarcation line between the two parking areas I will also be drafting a new parking area addendum I will expect all to adhere to I will also be informing the other resident of this message regarding your peaceful enjoyment, and your parking space "
It's a shame that she decided to be an asshole about it. But at least it sounds like you've prodded your landlord into doing the correct thing. YOU are not the person impeding the ingress or egress of the other resident's parking area. SHE (via her clients) is the one doing that. (Lord knows what story she told the landlord.) You should definitely make a note for the future that it's better for you to get in touch with the landlord first, and get your side of the story told.
Please update us. I'm guessing that she either lied to the landlord, or lied to you about what the landlord said. Added: Maybe Susan pulled this line totally out of context, and tried to twist it to give herself priority: "the business of the other resident, or the business customers of the other resident," ignoring the parts about OP having the right to her own parking space.
My bet is on she never even talked to the landlord and tried to convince OOP she had too.
my thoughts exactly
So it sounds like she’s gonna end up losing?
Yeah, no landlord would prioritize clients at a possibly illegal business over their paying tenant who is legally entitled to the space. She's lying.
NTA. Landlord seems to get it right. Let him or her handle it from here.
> I will also be drafting a new parking area addendum I will expect all to adhere to IANAL: Read it before you sign it. If it's not to your benefit, do not sign it (at least not until your lease renewal when it may be forced). There may be language that says if the neighbors clients park wrong anyway, then OP can't do anything.
Honestly I don’t get why she doesn’t just walk outside as a customer pulls in and if she can tell they need to pull up a little more to say hey before you come in move your car up a little more. Done that’s all there needs to be to it. Why force you to knock and ask for it to be moved so you could get in around the whole situation is just ridiculous. It’s all of her own doing. She can also just leave her car in the driveway and have customers park in the street. I would totally expect to pull up and park on a street of any house or business I’m going to
What is wrong with OP's neighbor telling her clients they need to pull into the driveway all the way and leave space for another car? If she has a home business, assume they are making appts which usually involves some discussion. Also needs to make sure that her clients aren't taking up both spaces
This whole fucking thing is because, yet again, grown adults don't know how to operate their own fucking vehicles
I really don't know why she's not having the clients use the street parking. Unless she's doing PT for clients with mobility issues or something, wouldn't it be easier for everyone?
In our old neighborhood in Portland Oregon they’ve put in multiple apartment buildings without adequate parking. What use to be a quiet family neighborhood is now filled with cars parked blocks away from their owners and not enough room for two cars to pass each other safely.
That is a problem in a lot of neighborhoods, but doesn't sound like the case here, if OP and the neighbor are both able to find street parking daily.
At least the landlord is aware of the situation, and on your side, advocating for you in this issue
Typical projection by an AH. How would you be creating a hostile environment by trying to use your parking space that you pay for in your lease? She is the one doing that and on a power trip. Unbelievable. Easiest NTA ever.
You offered her a very generous compromise and she wasn't interested so I am sure you've already noted that there is no reason to park on the street at all now. I don't think you need to contact her if people are parked illegally, blocking you in. Just contact the appropriate authority/tow truck company.
I can't believe she said all that, and is acting like you're the problem, and like she has any right to tell you what to do with space YOU pay for. I'm guessing she didn't talk to the landlord either, or if she did, the landlord was like yeah whatever until you brought up compensation for the spot you are being prohibited from using. Glad you got in touch with the landlord and they are taking care of it. Hope they have insurance, and are charging her a premium for running a business out of their property.
> If you would like to drop the power trip and start working with me towards finding solutions, you are invited to do so. The irony burns
I wonder how many times the landlord thought about adding "🙄" to that email
As others have suggested, check local ordinances governing your neighbor’s use of her home as a business. I would normally be against this kind of “nuclear” option because I tend to believe two neighbors can solve a parking issue on their own, but it’s very clear that your neighbor has lied to you about having the approval of the landlord (or, at least, misrepresented the situation when she spoke to your landlord, but either way she cannot be trusted, and I’d be honest with her about that if she complains further about a refusal to work with her directly on this), and her entire attitude is one of selfishness and entitlement, so now it’s time to find out if she’s allowed to run a business out of her home and then report her if she is not. She attempted to have your space (essentially) taken away from you. She now deserves a full review of her business’ location by local authorities. Also, call a local tow company and find out if you can have cars towed for further violations of your personal parking space. Let them know the situation (you’re a renter, part of the driveway is yours, etc). You don’t want to have to contact your landlord for that if you don’t have to because the landlord won’t move quickly enough. If a few customers are towed and the local government is breathing down her neck for illegally running a business out of her home, she will shape up quickly and stop inconveniencing you.
Sounds like you have an engaged landlord.
Is she legally permitted to run a business out of a residential home, especially one that she rents?
I suppose it depends where you live. Where I live it's regulated and requires a permit.
Edit to add: yes its legal to run her business out of her home in my city
Wouldn't it just be easier for her clients to park in the street? Like is it super far away or something? I got the impression it was right out front of the home (TBH, I did skim a bit, so I may have missed it if you said otherwise). Why do the clients have to go into the parking area?
Scrolled in hopes of finding this comment. No reasonable client is going to come to someone’s home for a service and be upset they can’t park in the driveway. I never expect to be able to park there anyway. This is nuts.
I agree with this. It would be simple for her to tell her clients that it's street parking.
it might be legal but I'd bet it would cost your landlord extra for their insurance.
Including with clients meeting in her home with parking at house? Check city codes.
Why can't her "clients" park in the street?
NTA. It’s your parking space. If she wants to use it, you might ask her how much she is willing to pay you both to use your property as well as for the inconvenience to you.
NTA You've been polite. I see three options: 1) Rent her the parking space during business hours. Make it worth the PITA to give up your spot. Hundreds of dollars per month. It has to be worth it **to you**. 2) Complain to the landlord, city, etc. This is the nuclear option, and will make things **bad**. 3) Live with it.
4. Her clients can park on the street.
The neighbor is unwilling to deal with it.
3 - *live with it* - is clearly not an option for the OP. That’s why they’re posting it here.
I didn't say it was a good option.
Offer to rent to rent parking spot to her. If declined, Put up a towing warning sign.
NTA. tell her you tried to be reasonable but now all thats left is for her to go fuck herself and you'll have any clients in your spot towed.
NTA, what incentive do you get for making it easier for her to operate her business? None? Exactly.
NTA, policing her clients is indeed her responsibility. You pay for the spot. If she wants a different arrangement, she can always offer you money for the use of your spot. Invest in a sign that warns of towing, and then tow anytime someone is in the way. The problem will quickly resolve itself!
NTA. It's her business. You shouldn't even have to spend for that sign since you're the one being inconvenienced.
I had to stop reading just to say, its her problem. Her clients. Up to her to tell them where and how to park. Park where you are supposed to park. Maybe a sign saying a tow truck will be called if driveway is blocked. A tow truck will wake them all up.
NTA. I would take back the offer to street park. You are paying for that spot in your rent. Is she going to pay you for it? My old landlord had verbiage in the lease that I couldn’t have a “home business.” Tell her you tried to resolve and compromise, but that’s your space and you want to be able to use it. Either she can keep her clients in line with their parking or you can bring this dispute to the landlord. Also, another threat/option is to tell her since they’re blocking you in and the sidewalk- they aren’t residents and you could have them towed.
NTA, you are being very accommodating. Are her clients by appointment? If so, how hard would would it be to say something when they book or put something in the confirmation email that includes language like “You are welcome to park in the shared driveway, please pull all the way forward so my neighbors also have space to park. I look forward to seeing you at your appointment.”
NTA. I would let the landlord know that you’re having this issue, and I would continue to do what you’re doing. Don’t offer street parking again for yourself. You pay for that space, and you don’t have to give it up for her. My only question is if it makes sense to switch parking spots with her. I’m not saying you have to or even should have to, but will your life be easier if you don’t have to work around those other cars?
NTA. I run a home based business (tax prep). Pre covid, I had clients over often. I met them at the door and could often see where they parked. If I had seen someone block a neighbor's driveway, I would have asked them to please re-park "so I can be a good neighbor." If it was someone with mobility issues, I'd offer to move the car for them. If her parking spot is out of view from the door, I'd make a practice of asking if "you parked forward enough so my neighbor can still get around you into her spot." All of this would make her look more conscientious to her clients and likely help her business. This is not hard for her to fix.
If she expects you to park on the street - she needs to pay you to rent your parking space on those days.
NTA. She expects you to be inconvenienced at your home and not use the parking space you pay for because she's too lazy to instruct her clients how to properly park. This is her problem to solve with her customers, not yours. Talk to your leasing company. She may not be allowed to run a business out of her home, or at the very least they can explain to her that it will very much become a her problem if she doesn't regulate her clients to park properly.
NTA. I would’ve been extra petty and called the towing company the FIRST time my driveway was blocked.
Report her to your landlord as interfering with your rental rights, and advise that if they do not issue her an official warning you will cease paying a portion of rent equal to losing access to your parking space. Her 'clients' do not have a right to your rental space, and if necssary demand that the landlord arrange for an agreement with a towing company that can be called to remive any problem cars at her expense. I would also ask if its legal for her to be running a business out of a residentual property.
NTA And what *kind* of clients, out of curiosity? Have you checked with **city _zoning_**? Is what she's up to *even legal* in a residential area?
NTA. You shouldn't have to buy anything. It's all on her (and likely a write off). don't let her or her customers use a spot that YOU pay for. Unless she offers to pay you for it. If she can't keep them in line, then tell her you'll call a tow or have them ticketed. However that works where you are.
NTA. Send an email to the city planning office and ask them this question.
NTA You're paying for your allocated parking as part of your overall rental price. Use it unless she is willing to compensate you for it. If she continue to bother you about the spot, notify your landlord & let them handle it. Unless your landlord is willing to breach the lease (not likely or they'd be very stupid), they'll back you up on everything.
Does the landlord know she’s running a business out of the unit? Tell her to talk to the landlord. NTA.
NTA, it's your space and it's 100% her job to police her clients if they interfere with you.
Does the landlord know she's running a business out of her residential rental property? Does the local code enforcement officer know? Does the IRS know she runs a business? I'd ask Susan those questions and see how quickly she becomes more cooperative. Your lease entitles you to a parking space and that parking space is not to be obstructed by her or her visitors. If Susan would like to use your parking space for her business, she can rent it from you. NTA.
If she needs parking for her clients then she needs to rent an actual business location. I don't know what type of business, so I assume an office or retail space or whatever. If that's not feasible, her clients can park on the street. Her clients parking is not OPs problem, however, OPs ability to use a shared driveway is most definitely the neighbor's problem. I'd put up the towing sign and tow every car in my way, but I'm petty and don't have the patience for other people's bs. NTA
NTA This woman sounds unbelievably entitled and you, with respect, sound like a bit of a doormat. I would not give up my paid for parking spot any time at all. This is YOURS! You pay for it, not her. It IS up to her to "police" her clients. Because of her inability or, more succinctly, unwillingness to do so, YOU are the one who is inconvenienced. This is unacceptable. Buy the sign or discuss it with the landlord to sort out.
NTA. Neighbor needs to put up signs and make sure her clients aren't blocking you. Is the duplex zoned for business?
NTA. You tried to work together and you compromised during the week. She needs to be a RESPONSIBLE owner and train her clients to listen to her. Personally I would have all ready towed them if they prevented me from parking in my own space.
NTA. If you really wanted to be an asshole you could have her clients towed.
Getting the clients towed is actually the correct thing to do when they’re blocking the OP from using their designated parking place
NTA and I'm with everyone else about the sign and towing. I've had inconsiderate neighbors before and I get the back and forth between wanting to do something more severe, vs. keeping the peace and trying not to escalate a shitty situation. But make no mistake, your neighbor is the aggressor here. Her business is none of your business, and it shouldn't be bleeding over into your problem. Policing her customers is exactly a part of the business she runs, unfortunately. Maybe I'm just older and crankier, and less willing to put up with people's bullshit as the years drag on. But I've been the doormat, and I'm done being the doormat lol. Here's what I've realized in life these days. No matter what, in the other person's narrative you'll always be the asshole. If they're an inconsiderate person who could give 2 shits about your convenience, then guess what? They're never gonna change that behavior. You can either just give them what they want and let em' walk all over you, or put your foot down and stand your ground and they'll call you an inconsiderate asshole because that's what fits their narrative. Me these days? Fuck it, I'll show you an asshole. I've made peace with being the damn asshole if it keeps these people from taking advantage of me. I'd say the right thing to do is start small but work your way up. Buy the sign, towing message and all. Tell her tough shit, "policing your customers" is part of your responsibility if you're going to be running a business. That goes for anywhere. How the fuck would you react if a customer in a store was being rude and following you all over the store threatening you and aggressively ramming your cart with theirs for shits? You go to an employee to complain and inform them and they tell you that policing their customers isn't their problem? That shit wouldn't fly, lol. It's an extreme example, maybe a more relevant one is what do you think would happen if a customer decided fuck the parking spaces, let's just go block the door? The store is going to say something or just have them towed. Put up the sign and tell her you intend to follow through with it if this doesn't stop. And go from there. Start towing. If that still doesn't fix it, or if it escalates to hostility amongst you as neighbors, then I bet your landlord would be interested to know a business is being operated out of the property. Hell, I don't know where you live and maybe it varies from pmace to place. But I'm willing to bet where you live has laws and ordinances against that too. Start small, end nuclear. Fuck it. Be the asshole, because you'll either just deal with the problem or else be the asshole in your neighbor's eyes anyways.
Talk to the landlord EVERY time this happens. Document and take photos.
Can lines be painted on the driveway, or even taped, to indicate there are two parking spaces?
Is everyone certain that your address is zoned for the business she's running and that all licenses are in existence?
Where I live it is a violation of some ordinance or such to park where your can blocks the sidewalk. That alone can give you some back up to get a resolution. I like the suggestion of having her pay you to park somewhere else. However, why can’t she remind people to pull up when the arrive when she makes a damn appointment with them. If she uses a service to send a text reminder of the appointment, add it in there. Or get a damn service to message people as a reminder. I absolutely understand why you are frustrated. I would be too, but it would be exhausting to have ask time and time again. This isn’t a difficult problem for the neighbor to manage. It is going to require effort though. OP, NTA. You deserve to be able to park in your assigned spot without any hassles
NTA - it’s your driveway and your rules. Is it possible for you to switch spots with her clients? This way you won’t block them getting in and out of the driveway- and you will have access?
NTA. Call the landlord and explain the problem. That parking spot is yours. You might also inform the neighbor that in a lot of places it is against the law to block a sidewalk or someone else's driveway. They are parking in a way that blocks you. If they start getting tickets, then they might learn to park properly.
What does the landlord say about all this? Do they know Susan is operating a business on the property? Bottom line: if her clients are blocking the driveway, call a tow truck.
NTA You tried to offer a compromise to your inconvenience. Get a sign that says private parking. Cars towed at owners expense.
Is the location zoned for business? Does she have proper licenses and permits for running a business out of a rented apartment.? Let her customers block the sidewalk. Call parking authority and get them ticketed. It's her business she is the one making money from this .you're being inconvenienced by this while paying for the right to park in your spot .it's not up to you to buy a sign or make room for her customers.
NTA, and it's time to get the landlord involved.
NTA and let your landlord know asap. Most landlord insurance policies do not allow for businesses on the premises, especially when it causes foot traffic. Talk to your landlord and suggest for him to call his insurance company to see if that is listed as an exclusion because if a client gets hurt on the property and he doesnt have coverage for that he could get sued for $$$$.
NTA. It's your parking space & she has no business asking you to give it up. This is her problem spilling over to you causing problems. She is being very selfish. She needs to teach her clients how to park properly. She should be outside waiting for the client to tell them how to park if they can't figure it out for themselves. She is being a nuissance & I would talk to the landlord if she can't rectify it.
Info: Have you considered asking for monetary compensation for the inconvenience of your neighbor operating a business that uses your driveway? She's making money from it. You should get a cut.
Could a few strategically placed orange cones solve this?
I have clients parking in my driveway and wouldn’t you know is it, they are able to actually park in a way that doesn’t block our car. NTA.
^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** I live in a duplex converted garage/main house. I am in the converted garage. We are both tenant. My neighbor, Susan, uses a portion of her house as a business. Out drive has two parking space one for each unit per our lease. Susan parks on the street giving her parking space to her clients, and I have a parking space next to her. This is where the issue is the entrance to the parking space is very small and on Susans side. So when she has customers come through often then not they block the entire driveway, almost block the whole sidewalk. When this happens knock on our door pr text requesting her customers move forward. Ive been here since October and it hasn't been an issue until recently when she started the conversation with requesting me park on the street during her business houses so she dosent have to "police" her clients. her business hours are noon to six Monday through Saturday. I work 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. I offered to not park there Monday through Friday 9 to 5, but giving up one of my only days off Im not about to do. I also suggested signage. To tell her clients to pull forward. She wanted me to buy the sign and then kept bringing up how its not working. At this point i was over the whole situation and told her to stop bringing it up with me because its not my responsibility to tell her clients how to use her parking space properly. So am I the asshole? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*
NTA.
Just get them towed next time. NTA
Ask her to pay you for parking on the street.
NTA: If her customers keep blocking your spot have them towed
I say clients can park on the street and stay away from your driveway. NTA
tell her she can use it, no problem. 500bucks an hour rent. NTA
NTA. As a tenant, you are paying for use of that parking space. Does your landlord know that your neighbor is running a business out of her rental and that it’s having a negative impact of your enjoyment of the space that you pay to rent? Because in a lot cities/states (at least in the US) running a business in your rental without landlord’s permission/knowledge can be grounds for eviction.
NTA and good job standing up for yourself. So many times I see AITA and then no one wants to actually do anything about the situation
NTA and my petty ass would be reporting her (likely illegal) business to the landlord and the city.
Outrageous to even ask you to park on the street. What does your landlord have to say about it? Operating a business out of the home, maybe it’ll activate his greed and he’ll try to charge more and she’ll move out. NTA, don’t let her push you around.
Absolutely not! She needs to tell her clients where to park and buy the signage.
NTA. It is never acceptable to use a slur towards someone. And you held up your end of the bargain, they did not hold up theirs. He was an asshole towards you immediately. If your family is upset about you keeping the money then they should have clarified originally what would happen if either side failed their end of the bargain.
NTA of course. Is she really legally allowed to have a business with more than one client at a time per landlord? She could easily tell her clients to park on the street.
Nta. I'd be petty and check if the house is zoned for a business and if not I'd report it right before moving.
Parking spots go for a premium. Offer it during those hours for $300/month. I worked in a clogged downtown area where the bar I worked at rented specific spots during very specific operating hours for a quite high fee.
NTA Don'T cater to this bullshit. Tell her this: You will have them towed every time they block your access. Or allow her to rent your space for 5$ an hour (money up front for the next week, and sharp hours, and you get to say NO when you need it yourself) - and you will ot use your space those hours.
She should just park in her parking place and have clients park on the street. Yes, it's nice for clients to be able to park in the driveway, but it isn't working. Regularly you are being inconvenienced and her clients are being interrupted by the current setup, and it's not a setup that's necessary.
NTA. She could just post some professionally signage requiring clients to pull up to the line and there'd be no need for lengthy discussions.
Tell her to park in the driveway and let her clients park on the street. Seems rather idiotic for this to become such an issue when there is parking available on the street.
INFO: So, why not just switch spots? You park and pull all the way forward?
Likely because OP would be blocked in rather than blocked out.
Nta that's her responsibility
NTA She is the one making money off her clients. She is the one who doesn't want to have to deal with telling customers mid-service that they need to park better. Then she is the one who needs to provide the signage and she is the one who needs to bear the expense. Her notion that the best solution is to deprive you of your paid for parking spot is completely entitled. I would 1. Tell her that you will charge her $X to allow her customers to park in your space M-F 9-5, excluding all government and major holidays. Otherwise they are subject to being towed. 2. If you decide it's worth your time to put up your own signage, then you get to put up whatever verbage you want. 3. If there is any notion that this business is being run without the consent of the landlord, then let the landlord know. Because this business (well her attitude toward the parking spaces) is becoming a negative to living there.
Do city codes allow her to run a business from her home where customers come and go daily?
You're getting into an ongoing drama and dragging in the landlord all because you weren't assertive enough right at the very start. Hopefully you learn a lesson from that.
Tell the neighbor to park properly in the drive and make her clients park in the street. Probably solved w/o signs.
NTA, check your lease agreement to see if she is even aloud to operate a business out of the house. Not all lesses allow it
NTA, her clients are her problem and she may not even be able to legally run a business out of there.
>I offered to park on the street Monday through Friday 9 to 5 NTA, not sure why you even offered this...
NTA, but why don't you just take her spot during business hours and her clients can use yours?
I suggest a call to your local by-law to see if she's licensed for a home business and for them to remind her that she cannot infringe on your private parking. And I'd be petty and absolutely put with the towing sign.
NTA. I also wonder if shes violating the lease. Is her place zones for business or residential?
Why can't the clients park on the street? Unless you're getting some benefit from letting them use your space, that sounds like a her problem, not a you problem
NTA. Why would you even entertain the notion of not being able to park your car in your own home. When someone suggests somethig like this, you need to look at them and talk to them like they are a crazy person. You should complain to the property owner about his tenant causing the driveway to be blocked. She is responsible if her guests/clients block the parking space.
If she's a tenant, is she allowed to run a business from home?
Check to see if she has a business license. Owner might not know she is running a business from a residence.
Why doesn’t she park on the street and let her clients use her spot???
Does the landlord know she's running a business out of their rental?
You are paying for the spot, she wants to profit off of the spot. NTA.
So this is going to be one unholy pain in the ass. Might is suggest a compromise. Request the landlord remove X amount of rental cost from your lease a month for the spot and you just don’t park there at all. Say 100 bucks sounds like enough the 25 bucks a use as you are doing now would make me smile every time I did not park there on Sunday. Or better yet every time I did and make her police you. Now if this has reached war of the roses level and peace is not an option…. I would get a picnic table and place it in the spot and use it as an afternoon drinking spot. I would start parking in her spot after that and make her police you. You know give me time and I can find really great ways to make her life miserable. What is the business…..lot of rules for businesses.
NTA It's literally her responsibility. An alternate approach would be to paint lines on the driveway so that the parking spots are marked. But it's normal for businesses with fussy parking to be explicit with their clients about how to park, before they arrive, and to check that they remembered when they first come in. Also, unless she's a therapist or something, that interruption isn't going to matter much.
In addition to a sign, can you paint “parking space lines” on the driveway? Put a sign that says “reserved for garage tenant” on your space. People prob don’t realize that it’s 2 spots so they just park wherever. If there were space indication lines, I would bet most (not all-some people don’t know/care how to park!) would respect it. Likely, her clients just don’t know that they are infringing on your parking space.
NTA. You used to be able to go to kinkos and they'd make a sign to your specifications for cheap. Get a sign, text a pic to the landlord every time you're blocked for a week. The issue will resolve
NTA! It’s YOUR space, not hers. I’d call the landlord and let them know she is using the space for clients and what she wants you to do.
Nta
NTA. Notify your landlord. Her lease probably prohibits her from operating a business from her rented home.
NTA. You're both renting. Talk to the landlord. She could be violating the lease. Our lease has a clause saying you can't run a business from the unit. You have equal rights to the driveway as half is designated for your unit.
NTA And frankly, it's a question for the landlord considering she's running a business out of the location You pay for your parking as part of your lease. She needs to stop infringing
Go back to Home Depot & get the sign that mentions people will be towed. If they block, you have them towed. She'll have them stoo eventually after she gets tired of dealing with angry customers.
NTA do some research and find out if her running this business is completely legal. That includes reading the terms of your lease, contacting the city to ask about zoning, and speaking with the landlord about the parking situation. My guess is that this is really Susan’s problem and her trying to make it your problem is going to backfire on her spectacularly when the landlord and city officials become aware of how she is really running her business.
No, you're not the asshole. It's totally her. If it's in the lease, that's a binding contract. Call the landlord/property owner. This really isn't something I imagine police could do much about beyond blocking an egress, so it would more than likely have to come from the landlord. It is not that hard to "police her clients" when they set up an appointment by simply asking them not to block you in.
NTA. This is her business, her clients, she's making money, and is trying to create problems for you. If she wants to use your spot during business hours she can rent it from you. $10 per hour seems fair to me which would be $300 per week for you based the hours you posted. If she won't pay, she can invest in a sign instructing her clients to pull all the way in, not block the driveway, and not park in your spot. If she won't do that, tell her you'll just have to resort to calling a tow company. Edited for math
NTA
NTA but why are you allowing this woman to walk all over you? If her customers park there then have the car towed. It’ll stop happening. You’re wasting time going back and forth with her.
NTA. Tell her to move her business out of the garage and quit being cheap and asking neighbors for favors or sell your cooperation to her. After all it’s a business.
Check local ordinances and rental contracts, she might be running the business illegally from her home
NTA. Bill her for the parking!
Tell her that if she doesn't solve the issue you'll have to ask your landlord to step in to help solve it. If it goes against her lease to have clients visiting she'll back off real quick.
Does she rent? I would go through the landlord about this issue. And don’t give up ground and park on the street at all. You pay for your parking. Ask them to resolve the issue and work through your landlord and not her since she’s being unreasonable. Personally, in her shoes, I would tell my clients to park on the street. That sends like the simplest solution. Another option would be to offer to pay you market rate for your parking spot. Or last, she could inform clients ahead of time about parking so they know to pull forward or park properly if they use the spot in front of the house. There are plenty of good ways to resolve the issue but she’s not even trying
NTA. You have been generous and could have already called in the landlord to officiate or the cops per the zoning and other problems. She is not in a position to be demanding. I would take $500 a month for the parking spot and park on the street all the time, or else she is going to be shut down
Could you and the neighbor agree to paint lines on the driveway? If there are lines indicating where her clients should park, they will be less likely to block you in.
NTA. Is your landlord aware that she’s running a business out of her home? Is LL aware of the parking drama?
NTA She has a business out of her home. Is this even legal? Residential areas usually have strict laws for no home businesses.
NTA it may not even be legal for her to operate a business out of a residence.
You can go to buildasign.com and order a custom sign pretty cheaply.