‘I park my car outside my house – it blocks the road but it’s legal so I refuse to move’

A disgruntled homeowner thought it was wrong they were expected to move their car even though they had parked legally outside their home and found the spot first

When you live on a narrow street, it is important to park carefully so other vehicles can pass by safely. This statement rings especially true if the width could cause a problem for emergency services. But one homeowner has sparked a row after suggesting they should not have to move their car, though buses sometimes can’t get through.

Frustratingly, the driver never blocks the road when they first pull up to park, but an obstruction is regularly caused when other cars are left opposite their own. Believing they are not in the wrong, the homeowner wonders if they ought to just leave their car where it is.

But people were quick to take issue with the suggestion, when it was raised on Mumsnet. The debate erupted after the driver took to the website, keen to know if their plan was unreasonable.

The homeowner explained: “Neither side of the road has markings. My side has houses, the other is buildings. When I park outside my house people feel the need to park parallel narrowing the road so vans, buses, etc. can’t get through.

“[IMO] I’m parked legally. People keep asking me to move and getting angry. [Am I being unreasonable] to leave my car where it is and stop answering the door? I work from home so they’re becoming a nuisance.”

In response, people were quick to share differing opinions. Some commenters thought whoever parked last was at fault. “If there’s only room for parking on one side of the road, I think it’s down to who parks first,” read one such reply.

“You are being unreasonable if you block the road. But if you park first and make sure a lorry can get round you then you are not blocking the road, the person who parks opposite you prevent a lorry going round is,” said a second.

Others suggested it depends on where most people park. Someone else replied: “Park on the other side if that is what most people do, otherwise it is you blocking the road.” Keen for more information, another queried: “Is one side the traditional parking side and you’re parking on the other?”

However, the homeowner’s response may not go far to help resolve the issue, as it sounds like there’s no clear answer.

They wrote: “It’s a mix of who parks on what side. It’s usually residents on my side and workers on the other. I was there first. I do have a drive and I park there most times, but people park on the H bars opposite, so I can’t park on it without hitting the car or my fence. What’s p****d me off today: I came home and someone was parked on the H bar, forcing me to park on the road. I left a good gap with the car on the H bar for vehicles to get through.

“Someone else came along and parked on the opposite side but didn’t leave a big gap. I come off a work call and see a bus is stuck. I went out and see a white van coming the other way can’t get through because of the bus. Rather than them finding the other car’s owners I thought I’d just move mine. They started verbally abusing me. I parked courteously and tried to help out and they’re popping off at me? Nah, f**k them. They can start knocking on other doors.”

What do you think the homeowner should do? Let us know in the comments.