‘I don’t know what I expected’: Resident gets their van towed by neighborhood council after they refuse to stop blocking new neighbor's driveway, despite their polite requests

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Dec 13, 2025 9:00 AM EST

Being responsible for someone else's misfortune is usually not a great feeling; who wants to cause someone else to feel sad or frustrated?

Unless… Well, unless they absolutely deserve it. Then you can say that they brought that misfortune upon themselves, and you were just the one to get the ball rolling.

The residents in the story below definitely were the ones who brought their misfortune upon themselves, even if their neighbor doesn't fully feel like it. They were responsible when they refused to move their car from the neighbor's driveway the first time they were asked, and they were responsible when they parked there again and again despite the polite request.

When the neighbor gave up and sent pictures of the entitled activity to the neighborhood council, they didn't expect much to come out of it. However, the council was fast to respond and immediately sent a tow truck to get rid of the car. 

The question is, who was responsible for the misfortune then?

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  • Should the neighbor feel guilty, or did she do everything she could to resolve this issue as civilly as possible?

    Keep scrolling to read the full story and decide…

  • My neighbours kept blocking the driveway to my garage, so I called council and got them towed. Help AITAH, any advice?

    I moved to this house 4 months ago I noticed a van parked entirely in front of the driveway, so I had to park far away and move in, walking my things through the rain.
    via estella888
  • Orange Van Parked Near Green Tree
    via Boys in Bristol Photography - Lebele Mass

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

  • Very annoying. I settled in, and over those weeks, different cars kept a parking in front of my driveway.
    via estella888
  • Finally, I was gardening out the front I see the neighbour park his van in front of my driveway.
    via estella888
  • I went up to him and introduced my self kindly, and said I noticed you and I think your guests keep parking in front of my driveway; I'm not sure if you had an arrangement with the previous tenants, but could you stop because I would like to use it.
    via estella888
  • He looked shocked and said, "oh can your car even fit in the garage?" I said yes.
    via estella888
  • For context this is in the metro area of Sydney, street full of old houses with tiny narrow garages.
    via estella888
  • Most people on our street don't use their actual garages, but instead park in front of their driveways (I know this is illegal).
    via estella888
  • I would like to do the same with my driveway; and I think that even if I want to use my narrow garage once in a blue moon, I should have access to it.
    via estella888
  • Since then; cars often still block or partially block my driveway. There is usually street parking anyways, but occasionally I have to park 200m away, with heavy groceries or in the rain.
    via estella888
  • So I have left a total of 5 notes on their cars when they block the driveway.
    via estella888
  • First couple of notes were nice and friendly simply asking them to stop and that is like 24/7 access to the garage, the last 3 were more stern.
    via estella888
  • They have a huge renovated driveway with two entries and auto fences; and they don't use it always.
    via estella888
  • Often they just park in front of it- however they are a huge family with 6 cars and a huge boat + always have guests and parties.
    via estella888
  • I couldn't care less, but stop using my driveway. For some reason (entitlement), his wife parks her huge truck half blocking my driveway AGAIN!
    via estella888
  • This time leaving it for 3 days. Today it was 40c (104f), I got home from the beach with a tonne of things and her car is still there, and their guests are taking up the rest of the close street parking.
    via estella888
  • Annoyed, I decided to leave the note but this time I took pics and reported to council.
    via estella888
  • Man Taking a Picture of His Car
    via XiXinXing

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

  • I was unsure what would come of it. Unexpectedly, council came immediately, and towed the car.
    via estella888
  • I don't know what I expected, but I thought maybe they'd just talk to them, send a letter or give a fine.
    via estella888
  • I believe they will know it was me that reported them to council. Now I feel like they are going to try and confront me or do something because they seem like those kind of people.
    via estella888
  • I am a 29 F but look a lot younger, my housemates are 24 and 25 F so I feel like they thought they could just do what they wanted and assumed we would be too intimidated.
    via estella888
  • DescriptionFew6118 After they disregarded you the first time, I would have informed council then.
    via DescriptionFew6118
  • OP estella888 Thank you I actually did a couple of times but I didn't take pictures - so maybe that's why they didn't come immediately like they did today
    via estella888
  • Successful_Voice8542 If they do confront you, tell them you have asked nicely time and time again only to be ignored, so you took photos and sent it to the council and will do that same thing anytime someone blocks your driveway, as it is your right to have access to your property. They should advise their family and friends that they are welcome to block THEIR OWN driveway but anyone who blocks yours should expect to be towed by the council.
    via Successful_Voice8542
  • OP estella888 Thanks I am expecting they might try and intimidate me or say it was unreasonable, but I'll have to stand my ground and then deal with the tension So entitled because I know they'd have a fit if I blocked their driveway
    via estella888
  • navedane NTA. There are plenty of people who would've called a tow as the first option. I think that's excessive, but even those people could be argued that they're not TA either. By contrast, you're the picture of patience and reasonable. attempts at communication. Your neighbor is sure a prick though.
    via navedane
  • Only-Breadfruit-6108 NTA it's refreshing to hear that local council did something useful! Also Aussie here, and when I had someone part across my driveway and I couldn't get out to go to work, I called the police and they said they couldn't do anything. It was nighttime, but I still wouldn't have thought to call council. Well played
    via Only-Breadfruit-6108
  • OP estella888 I know, I was surprised. I have contacted them twice before and nothing came of it, but maybe because it was the third time and I had pictures they could see this a recurring issue. Or maybe they just had a quiet day →
    via estella888
  • HealthNo4265 Good work. Towing is probably the only thing that will get their attention. However, since you note that parking in front of even your own driveway is illegal, don't be surprised if they call the council to have your car towed if it is parked there.
    via HealthNo4265
  • OP estella888 I am worried about this, but they always park in front of their own driveway; so if they want to play that game then I can report them for that and we can all stop parking in front of our driveways. I am used to it anyways ☑ Hopefully they just won't do it again
    via estella888
  • TerriDiA NTA And if they block you again, contact the council again. Keep having them towed until they get the message through their thick heads.
    via TerriDiA
  • Takiri_aerilaya NTA. You were polite and TRIED reasoning with them. They contined to be rude. I'm glad you got the council involved and took pictures. If they confront you again, tell them to talk to the council. It was their decision to tow, not yours.
    via Takiri_aerilaya
  • Last-Butterscotch-68 It is illegal the block access for a reason, an ambulance cannot afford to park 200m away if there is a medical emergency. NTA. Report. Report. Report.
    via Last-Butterscotch-68

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council aita neighbors parking space drama neighborhood towing neighborhood-drama cars Bad Neighbor payback parking entitled people
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