A woman from Devon has ignited a fierce online debate after revealing she deliberately blocked her own driveway to prevent her neighbours from using it as their personal car park.
The Driveway Dilemma in Torbay
Lisa, a 38-year-old administrative assistant from Torbay, took to TikTok to explain the escalating situation. She lives on a street with varied post-war housing. While she has a wide driveway capable of accommodating three or four vehicles, her immediate neighbours have limited options. One has a single-car space, and the other has a large front garden but no driveway at all. Street parking is permit-only and perpetually full.
"I bought the house when it was pretty much gutted, which is the only way I could afford it," Lisa explained. A lack of funds has also prevented her from installing fencing, meaning her neighbours can walk directly onto her drive from the pavement, despite paved paths marking the boundary.
From Occasional Favour to Frequent Nuisance
Initially, Lisa didn't mind when her neighbours occasionally used the spare space, as she and her girlfriend could still park comfortably. However, the casual arrangement soon soured. "Over time, it has become more frequent and more entitled," she stated. The situation reached a tipping point when neighbours began parking in a way that sometimes blocked her in, preventing her from using her own property.
In response, Lisa began positioning her car to occupy the entire driveway, leaving no room for anyone else. This decisive action has left her neighbours annoyed at being denied the free space. "Am I wrong for blocking my own driveway so they can’t park there?" she asked her followers.
Online Backlash and Calls for Diplomacy
The reaction on social media was divided, though many strongly supported Lisa's stance on property rights and neighbourly boundaries. User Nana commented: "Even if you didn’t have a car they can’t just use your empty driveway. They have no manners." Mara added: "It’s your property, they don’t pay the mortgage." Others suggested the neighbours should pay for the privilege or that Lisa should prioritise saving for a fence and a Ring doorbell.
However, some advocated for a more diplomatic approach, emphasising the value of good neighbourly relations. "Could you not discuss it and come to an agreement?" asked Lola. Rebecca advised: "Save up for fencing and gates. This type of dispute can get very nasty quickly... I’d recommend a neighbourly chat."
Reflecting on the saga, Lisa expressed astonishment at the "level of entitlement some people have to other people’s property." She concluded, "I support the person's decision, but I may have had a conversation with the neighbours to let them know that the drive wasn’t available anymore."
