Dear Eric: I own a few cars that I park on the street in front of my house. Some new toddlers and preschool kids are learning how to ride a bike. They circle constantly in front of my house instead of the house they rent next door to my house.
The neighbors park all over the street and do not use the driveway. They have several cars and live in a cul-de-sac.
They are not watching or teaching the kids how to ride or even stay out of the road as cars come through. But that’s another issue.
My question is, do I have any rights as a homeowner and county resident to ask the renters to stay away from the area in front of my house and the cars parked in front?
My concern being the kids might hit my cars, and it’s actually annoying to see them in front of my house for hours. People think these are my kids and think I’m not watching them.
What can I do?
— Neighborhood Watch
Dear Neighborhood Watch: Depending on how much space there is on your street, I’m not sure it’s reasonable to ask the neighbors to keep their cars away or to keep their kids off the street. If you have an HOA, there may be some guidance there, but in general the street is for everyone.
If you’re noticing that the children are behaving dangerously or if you’re finding that they’re taking up more than their share of spaces, you should alert the parents, through a calm, civil conversation.
If I’m reading this correctly, you have a few cars on the street and the neighbors have a few cars on the street, but you don’t want them to park on the street. If this is the case, I’d presume it’s because they’re renters and you’re a homeowner. I’d encourage you to let go of that belief.
Indeed, a lot of your frustration could be alleviated by simply talking to all your neighbors. Is it really true that other neighbors think these are your kids? If they haven’t bothered to talk to you, then what does it matter?
Respectfully, your annoyance is not your neighbors’ responsibility. You can ask for what you want but also listen when your neighbors respond with what they want. Peaceful coexistence is the goal, and that’s not going to happen if one person is dictating what can and can’t happen in the neighborhood.
(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
