A couple who recently moved into a terraced house with on-street parking were left stunned after finding an eight-word note on their windscreen. The note, left by a neighbour, read: 'Do not park outside this house again. Thanks.' The incident has sparked a debate about territorial parking disputes on public roads.
The couple had parked outside a neighbour's property after being asked to move from a spot across the road. The following morning, they discovered the note on their car. Under UK law, homeowners have no legal right to park directly outside their own property on public roads, unless blocking a driveway or dropped kerb.
Posting on Reddit, the driver expressed frustration at the pettiness of the situation, noting that there are no parking restrictions and spaces are first-come, first-served. They added that they usually park wherever is easiest and do not understand why some people become so territorial.
Commenters on the post shared similar experiences, with one describing a neighbour who uses wheelie bins to reserve spaces, which is illegal. Another said they simply move the bins, even if it means being caught on a Ring doorbell camera. However, some sympathised with the neighbour, questioning why the driver would park elsewhere when a space outside their own home was available.
The RAC advises that while it is legal to park outside someone's house, drivers do not have an automatic right to a spot. The incident highlights the common tensions that arise over on-street parking in residential areas.
