Homeowner shames 'rude' Instagrammers who pose for snaps on driveway

A homeowner has shamed the 'rude' Instagrammers who repeatedly pose for snaps on his driveway 'passing off his house as theirs'.

Among the culprits are a Domino's delivery driver who was captured taking pictures from various angles.

Mike Cutbill, 42, lives in the photogenic home in Hampshire with his partner but has become increasingly aware of passersby who use it as a photo opportunity.

The IT consultant said it is 'really cheeky' for people to stop by and take the photos but also admitted he saw the funny side.

He and partner Nicky Watkins believe the interest in their home began two years ago when they renovated their driveway, but has increased since they decorated it with Christmas lights. 

In the most recent incident, Mr Cutbill had initially thought the Domino's driver was making a delivery next door before he realised what was actually going on.

The man can be seen pulling up on the drive, getting out to take a few snaps and then promptly leaving. When they pair later tracked him down, he told them it was because their house was 'beautiful'.

The father, originally from south west London, said: 'When I saw this man driving up with his car and taking photos, that's something I hadn't experienced before at all. We were out shopping and we got the notification that someone was on our drive.

'I zoomed in and saw this guy works at Domino's, I thought maybe he is just doing a delivery next door. I thought that's really cheeky, he could have parked on the road.

'Then I realised he's not taking a delivery but taking photos of his car in front of our house.

'My partner specifically wants to deter people from doing it because it's a driveway and there are parking laws. People don't understand you can't just go straight into a driveway.

'I'm not too fussed. I see the funny side to it. It's cheeky and rude but funny still.

'My partner spoke to him yesterday at his work. He said he took the photos as he said our house looked beautiful. So it was totally innocent.'

Last year, the father posted a video of two women taking photos of themselves in his driveway and leaning on his fence, which he claimed made a loud, 'crashing' noise.

Mr Cutbill said: 'I was in the back of my house and I heard a loud noise, almost like someone crashed through the ceiling.

'I looked out and saw these two ladies walking off. I reviewed my CCTV and realised they were taking photos on my drive. The noise was one of the ladies leaning on my fence.

'I see the compliment side of it. I know a lot of people would have a problem with it. I have that in the back of my head thinking I shouldn't allow that but it's not how I was brought up.

'Our house must be an attraction to the street since so many choose to use it.

'I've always lived in quiet areas in the past, this is quite a busy road so it's something I need to get used to but when you see things like that you think "God".'

The couple renovated their driveway two years ago and claimed that many people would stop to look at it.

And Mr Cutbill says this has increased further since they added their Christmas decorations, having noticed more people commenting on the house's appearance.

Ms Watkins said she did not mind the attention the house was getting as she got to 'people-watch' whenever she heard a noise.

Mr Cutbill said: 'It was initially when our driveway was done. We had a lot of people stop and look. And even when we were out there, they used to stop and talk to us about it and the changes we made, not just to the drive by the façade too.

'But now it'll be more because of the lights I'd say.

'My partner is one of those who look at the window at the slightest noise. And she reviews the cameras sometimes to see if anything has come up. She loves to go through it, kind of like a people watcher.'

Mr Cutbill's TikTok has gathered 281,000 views, which he claims is his personal record.

One commenter said: 'It's cheeky but equally just goes to show you did a banging job with your decorations.'

Another said: 'I applaud you for being kind and letting it happen.'

A third said: 'Haha what a compliment, Maybe put a sign telling them they need to put £5 through the letterbox for using it.'

And one wrote: 'Put a JustGiving link to raise money for charity. If they want photos they have to pay.'

However some users suggested people were posing outside the house to make it look like it was theirs.

One said: 'Tryna [trying to] fake to his family and friends he has your home!'

A second added: 'He be sending them pics to family back home, pretending that he doing better than he is.'

Another suggested: 'Selling the car, he trying to make out that's where he lives in a nice neighbourhood.'

Domino's were contacted for comment.