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AIBU?

To think you can't just park your van in the street and live in it.

62 replies

topcat2014 · 20/06/2018 20:42

I live in a cul de sac, with a reasonably sized level turning area at the end.

For the last month or so, a fairly large Mercedes van has been parked in it. There are at least one person, maybe two, living in it.

Curtains are over the windscreen at night, and there is a little pop up vent in the roof.

Fairly sure they are associated with a house in the street, as there are no rubbish/ hygiene problems,.

But, surely you can't just do this?

And, yes, I have seen the film lady in the van..

OP posts:
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HateIsNotGood · 20/06/2018 20:47

Pop round tomorrow with a cup of tea at 6am and ask them?

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topcat2014 · 20/06/2018 20:48

Good idea :)

OP posts:
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frasier · 20/06/2018 20:50

Where do they go to the loo? 😕

Are your neighbours as annoyed as you? If so, arrange to have them all park on the road for a week. Don’t leave them room.

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averylongtimeasspartacus · 20/06/2018 20:57

There are a surprising number of people who live in vans- I assume you are talking about a van not a camper.
They are fitted out to varying degrees in side - seats, bed, storage, sink, cooker. And yes, a chemi loo (the contents of the loo are in a sealed cassette and normally emptied in special emptying points or down a loo)

There is a housing crisis in this country- this is how some cope with it.

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DrunkOnCalpol · 20/06/2018 21:06

Would you rather them be sleeping on the street? Plenty on van dwellers in my road, doesn't bother me at all.

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Floottoot · 20/06/2018 21:10

I live in a little rural village and we have someone who lives in a tent in one of the fields, permanently. His parents kicked him out after he lost his job and could no longer contribute to the bedroom tax, so first he lived in a shed in their garden, and then he moved into the tent. He's been there at least a year.

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NewYearNewMe18 · 20/06/2018 21:12

But, surely you can't just do this?

Why not? is it taxed and insured? If so no issues.

Travellers manage to live in (cara)vans, have done for several millennia

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AhWeCanDanceIfWeWantTo · 20/06/2018 21:15

I think I might live in a van when my DC leave home.

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NT53NJT · 20/06/2018 21:16

Why can't they? Are they causing an obstruction? Are they causing any hygiene issues(which you said no to already) are there any parking restrictions where they are?

If not they have every right to live in their van there

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SabineUndine · 20/06/2018 21:18
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Vitalogy · 20/06/2018 21:18

Why shouldn't they be allowed to do it. If they aren't causing any bother. We're supposed to be living in a free country after all.

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RedForFilth · 20/06/2018 21:20

I just think myself lucky that I'm fortunate enough to have a proper roof over my head instead of judging others. Would you prefer they slept in the street or something?

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VioletCharlotte · 20/06/2018 21:21

@DrunkOnCalpol there's plenty of van dwellers in your road? Really?!

(Not being sarcastic, I'm genuinely interested!) I've come across one person who does this, but parks in a industrial estate. Can't imagine a residential street full of van dwellers. A symptom of the housing crises I guess. Better than them being on the street.

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PhilODox · 20/06/2018 21:21

That seems ineffably sad, floottoot.

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Moominfan · 20/06/2018 21:22

If they are, id hazard a guess life isn't going well. Although it lowers the tone can you offer some compassion instead?

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Shockers · 20/06/2018 21:26

There was a lady living on the car park near our house, in a VW Polo. She washed at the toilet/showers there (it’s by the river, so there’s basic facilities), a man used to bring her a flask of hot water every morning to make drinks with, and the police would check routinely to see whether she was ok.

I offered her use of our caravan, but she said she was settled.

I’d rather see someone living in a camper van.

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ItLooksABitOff · 20/06/2018 21:29

YABU.

Many people have no choice.

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ItLooksABitOff · 20/06/2018 21:32

There was a man sleeping rough in a park near my house for a while. He used to work in one of the local businesses then was laid off when it closed. He has lived here many years. Ideally the city would find him a permanent home, but I'd much rather he was in a van/car than outside.

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Miladamermalada · 20/06/2018 21:34

Fucking pesky homeless people in your cul de sac. How dare they?!
Must be on a mattress on the floor. Bet it's freezing.

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bobstersmum · 20/06/2018 21:39

It wouldn't bother me and I'd feel sorry for them too!

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Unescorted · 20/06/2018 21:39

I guess drunk lives near a train / tube station near to London without parking restrictions. It is becoming increasingly common with rising rents and and hose prices. Working people can't afford rent within commuting distance of their job. They need compassion.

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PinkFlamingo888 · 20/06/2018 21:39

The law is that they can sleep in their van, however they can’t park it in the same place two nights in a row so shouldn’t be there continuously. There is one by me that moves from outside my house to a few streets away every other night.

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GerdaLovesLili · 20/06/2018 21:45
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JacquesHammer · 20/06/2018 21:48

there are no rubbish/ hygiene problems

So what’s your issue?

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TakeawayTakeMeAway · 20/06/2018 21:49

@gerdaloveslili I know!!!!

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