If you've ever had to take on a large renovation project in your house, then you might have had to chat to your neighbours about the temporary disruption, or even had to ask them for a favour during the process. But one mum has been left annoyed after her neighbours approached her to ask if they could take over her parking space - and use it as a "dumping ground" for materials.
The woman explained the people in question live one road over from her, but they had noticed she has an empty parking space at the back of her house where a car should go, as she doesn't drive. However, she doesn't want to give her neighbours permission to use the space because she thinks it will "set a precedent" for the future.
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In a post on Mumsnet, she said: "The neighbours from a street over are having work done and come round to knock to ask if they could use our parking space for dumping ground for building materials while they have an extension built.
"We don't use the space as we don't drive, but I am worried about it taking longer than the two weeks they have said it would be needed for, and setting a precedent that it can be used because we do not have a car.
"The space is behind our house backing onto the garden. I am worried about rubble, dust, rats and noise as well as constantly being overlooked by builders."
The mum said she's also on the fence about the idea because her husband believes they should let the neighbours use the space, but should charge them for the privilege.
She added: "My husband says we should let them as we aren't using it and consider charging them a fee."
Commenters were equally as divided over the idea, as while some said charging her neighbours to use the space seemed like a good idea, others said there was a possibility they would take advantage of their kindness.
One person said: "Well you shouldn't get rats if it's building materials and not food waste. I would charge a fee, personally."
While another added: "The decent thing to do is let them use your space. Be a good person."
But someone disagreed, writing: "Nah, it'll become 'their' parking space. Skips, visitors, second car ... [they'll say] 'they don't mind us using it' [and] it'll turn into a whole thing."
There was also a comment from one person who suggested she offer to let them park their car in her space so they can store the materials in their own space, as this will create less mess for the mum to deal with if things go sideways.
They explained: "If they were pleasant and didn't seem grabby, I might let agree to let them park their own vehicle in the space for two weeks so they can put the building materials in their own parking space. If that didn't work out I wouldn't feel uncomfortable simply saying no.
"I would not agree to the building materials being stored in my parking space. Just feels like it could end up making a mess or being a bother and I wouldn't want to get into a tangle with the neighbour over it."
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