The anonymous note sent to two Flotilla Place residents.

They like things all neat and shipshape in Flotilla Place, Whitby, especially when property values are at stake.

A couple of shabby vehicles on Hannah O'Donnell's driveway in Porirua suburb, north of Wellington, were lowering the tone, an anonymous note told her, and she should get rid of them before they affected her neighbours' house sales.

"Flotilla Place is a sought-after residential location and all residents have a responsibility to uphold certain standards," the note said.

CAMERON BURNELL/ FAIRFAX NZ Cars parked in Flotilla Pace, Whitby, where an anonymous note dropper has complained about some vehicles being "unsuitable".

"It has been noted that a vehicle that falls well short of such standards is permanently parked at your address.

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CAMERON BURNELL/ FAIRFAX NZ "Flotilla Place is a sought-after residential location and all residents have a responsibility to uphold certain standards," the note said.

"There are properties being marketed in the street currently and vehicles like yours could have a negative impact on the price that your neighbours will be able to achieve ...

"It is recommended that you consider a plan to replace your vehicle."

O'Donnell was one of two people in the street to receive the notes. She said she was more amused than offended, and posted a copy on a community Facebook page, asking for clarification from the author.

"Could the person who put this note in my letterbox please clarify which 'unsuitable vehicle' needs to be replaced?

"Is it the 2013 Peugeot, the (bit shabby) 2003 Mazda 6, or the (well shabby) red van belonging to the landscaper who has been here a bit?"

She said on Thursday: "I think people were generally quite surprised and shocked. Most people thought it was quite funny, like I did, and haven't really taken offence, but I think a couple of people definitely did."

One homeowner suspected the note-dropper may have been driven to despair by a white car that was often parked facing the wrong way on the street.

"There is a covenant here preventing that sort of thing ... it's pretty annoying that they can't seem to park in the right direction."

DON'T JUDGE A HOUSE BY THE CAR

Others, however, pointed to the language in the note, and wondered if it came from real estate agents.

Harcourts agent Andy Cooling, who is marketing one of the houses for sale in the street, said: "I don't really care about what car they drive ... It's not going to make anybody want to sell or buy a house depending on what car you drive, is it?"

Mike Pero agent Wayne Kemp, marketing the other house, said he had spent the week in Auckland. "It certainly wasn't us ... I've got better things to do than look at cars in driveways. You don't judge a house by the car.

"From what I hear from the owners, it's not the first time a note's been left in a letterbox about rubbish in the street and that sort of thing.

"It could be someone in the street who sees it as an opportune time to voice their unhappiness with the car."

Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett said he had seen the post on Facebook and thought "it was the sort of thing you see in a comedy show".

"It's certainly not indicative of Porirua people, but in every community we have those people who spend a little too much time worrying about what their neighbours are doing.

"It's a good reminder to not sweat the little things and enjoy life."

"WHY THEY CALL US WHITE-BY"

Kristin Kerry, a resident of Flotilla Place for more than three years, said: "It makes it sound like our street is pretentious but it's not. It's very family orientated and we look after each other."

Another homeowner said he thought the note must have been a joke.

"Maybe we should gate the end of Flotilla Place and make it the high society someone obviously thinks it is.

"That's why they call us White-by, after all."

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