Woman tows her cousin's car for blocking her driveway over the weekend, family piles on to defend him until she pull out receipts: 'Those fees are the consequence of ignoring boundaries, not my punishment'

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Sep 21, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

There are some unspoken etiquette rules when it comes to using someone else's space. Whether you're using a guest room, leaving your stuff in their garage, or just parking in their driveway, you need too keep in mind that they are doing you a favor. They are going out of their way to help you, so you should do everything you can not to inconvenience or block them in any way. "A couple of hours" should amount to just that and nothing more. Otherwise, it stops being a favor and starts feeling like you're taking advantage.

One man learned this lesson the hard way when he found his car towed away by his own cousin. He told his cousin that he only meant to leave it there for less than a day, but he ended up leaving it there over the weekend. The cousin made every attempt to contact him, but he ignored all texts, calls, and DMs. After repeated warnings, including a very clear message that the car would be towed if it wasn't moved, the cousin had no choice but to call the tow company.

Now, family and boundaries can mix about as well as oil and water. I remember my parents getting increasingly anxious when one of my mom's cousins turned what was supposed to be a 3-day visit into a full 2-week stay, always swearing he'd leave "tomorrow." My ever-polite parents eventually resorted to hosting a "farewell dinner" just to nudge him out the door. That solution worked in their case, but sometimes, when hints and patience don't work, stronger measures have to be taken.

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  • 01

    AITA for towing my cousin's car from my driveway after they left it blocking my garage all weekend and ignored every message?

    Car being towed.
    via Nejron

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    So my cousin asked to "park for a couple hours" in my driveway Friday afternoon and left his sedan square across my garage
    via u/icypeachie
  • 03
    door. I texted, called, DM'd. nothing. I had a Saturday shift and a Sunday grocery run and still couldn't get my car out. By
    via u/icypeachie
  • 04
    noon Saturday I left a final message that I'd tow at 2pm if the car wasn't moved; at 3pm it was still there, so I used the tow
    via u/icypeachie
  • 05
    Woman exhasperated by something on her phone
    via fizkes from Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    company listed on our HOA board. He resurfaced Sunday night furious that I "stole" his car
    via u/icypeachie
  • 07
    and made him pay fees, and some family members piled on because "it was just the weekend."
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  • 08
    gave clear notice, documented attempts to reach him, and used the posted process. those fees are the consequence of ignoring
    via u/icypeachie
  • 09
    boundaries, not my punishment. Access to my own home and car matters more than his convenience. AITA?
    via u/icypeachie

  • I wonder what her family said after she pulled out all of her receipts; there's just no defending this kind of behavior, even from family.

  • 10
    A car in a driveway
    via DAPA Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    OverRice2524 NTA - your driveway is not his personal parking spot.
    via u/OverRice2524
  • 12
    MoonlitPetalAura OverRice2524 is absolutely right. Your cousin doesn't get to treat your driveway like long term airport parking just because it's "family." You
    via u/MoonlitPetalAura
  • 13
    warned him, gave him plenty of chances, and he chose to ignore you. The tow wasn't you being petty, it was him learning the hard way that your garage isn't optional access.
    via u/MoonlitPetalAura
  • 14
    Hollybanger45 Ehhhh. I'm going to lightly say ESH. I say that because you should have seen the way he was parked and seen the
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  • 15
    potential for this scenario to play out. You could have rectified this whole thing with a little foresight.
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  • 16
    Cousin is 95% TA for not leaving the keys (no brainer), not adhering to the timeline (again no brainer) and not taking your
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  • 17
    Person holding up car keys in front of a car
    via Daniel Tadevosyan from Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 18
    threats seriously (I mean duh). Tell your family to f all the way off and show the receipts. Wash your hands of the whole thing and move on.
    via u/Hollybanger45
  • 19
    National-Plastic8691 NTA, It's your home. It's your driveway, it connects to your garage. and never agree to anyone using your driveway as a parking lot. Lesson learned.
    via u/National-Plastic8691
  • 20
    Burrito-Logics147 Exactlyyy like why do ppl think a driveway = free weekend parking spot. If you cant even move ur car when the owner asks then you kinda proved their point.
    via u/Burrito-Logics147
  • 21
    42AngryPandas Your cousin asked for an inch and took a mile. It's literally hindering your ability to live your life. You gave all the reasonable notice you could. Screw that j..
    via u/42AngryPandas
  • 22
    Family or not, if they're being incredibly inconsiderate and you can teach them a lesson, then give them consequences. Otherwise they will keep on doing it.
    via u/42AngryPandas
  • 23
    swanspank NTA. You leave the car, leave the keys. Don't feel safe leaving the keys, don't leave the car.
    via u/swanspank
  • 24
    BefuddledPolydactyls NTA. "A couple of hours" is not Friday afternoon until Sunday night. His selfishness caused the issue, not yours.
    via u/BefuddledPolydactyls
  • 25
    Grapefruitloaf WHY do people get unhinged when they get consequences of their own actions? You gave plenty of warning. NTA
    via u/Grapefruitloaf

Tags

relationship advice family drama neighbors toxic neighborhood car homeowner relationships entitled family red flag cousins entitled people cousin
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