Horrors of sharing a driveway?

Question

I for 3-1/2 yrs of living here have tried all that I can. I share my driveway with 2 adults (parents) 3 children. All have no respect for anyone or their possessions. I have had the windshield of my brand new car smashed while they threw stones at one another; passenger side painted 2x for all of the scratches and gashes from them & their friends playing all from hardball, skateboarding, basketball, etc., trampling across my lawn and damaging my azelea bushes and tree. I've talked, begged, written & ignored as best I could. Never asked for a dime for damages nor was I offered any. Tons of debris & kids bikes all over my side out back in front of the gate to my yard. Just thrown. Parents could care less so what chance do these children have of being taught better? Is there NOTHING I can do? I've had a stroke and am on Social Security disability. I have always had respect for others and just want peace. Yet enough is enough! I need help.

Answer 1

Sue them, take them to small claims court. Take pictures of all the damages hopefully you kept a copy of all the letters present it to the court. You are to elderly to deal with that type of foolishness and your neighbors dont have respect for you.

Answer 2

I agree with Ell D.....taking money from them(small claims)may be the only language they will understand.Its obvious you need help....the law is on your side..please use it so you can finally enjoy your home and property. As Ell D said pictures (or video) will be your biggest defense. Our hearts go out to you...good luck

Answer 3

I can sympathize with you. I moved in with my girlfriend (now wife) over 16 years ago. Her house had a common driveway shared with the house next door. Although we got along well with that family, it was always a bone of contention. If we had people over, she would come out and snoop to make sure she could get out. I swear she just created excuses for leaving her house to do just that.

We lived in a duplex (half-double) and they owned the other side of theirs and had it divided into two apartments. On more than one occasion, I came out to find my car blocked in when I tried to leave for work and had to go knock on the tenant's door...even though they were not allowed to park in the driveway. We also had numerous cars towed that were parked on the street...but OVER the driveway. One of them was on Christmas Eve when we could not find the owner!

We have since moved and made darn sure that there was a single, non-shared driveway.

As far as advice, other than calling the police when they damage something or pressing legal action to recover the damages, there is not much you can do but move like we did.