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AIBU?

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Original poster

Buying house - homeless outside

286 replies

Whatinthedoopla · 03/09/2025 21:21

Hi,

I'm buying a house, and opposite the garden is the community car park. Area is lovely, people are lovely. However, I've noticed thpere has been a van parked right outside the garden (obviously in a parking space), and has been there for weeks. I thought nothing of it, then saw they they open the door and it looks like people live in it! And they look homeless, I saw they legs popping out of the van.

The house has now been emptied, and I'm worried that the homeless people are going into the garden to get water from the tap outside.

My partner isn't worried, but I am, or AIBU?

What should I do?

OP posts:
crackofdoom · 05/09/2025 15:52

Of course, if it turns out they're parked up there because one of your new neighbours is their friend/ relative and they're using their bathroom and water, and the whole neighbourhood knows they're there and has no problem with it and you get them moved on, you could end up making yourself mighty unpopular before you've even moved in...

Catwalking · 05/09/2025 15:13

Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 15:00

Wouldn't they just check the house? I'm not really sure if they would know

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They look at all things that impact house & surroundings, like looking for ‘unknown’ public rights of way etc. It can’t hurt to ask them, they have all sorts of suggestions up their sleeves 🤔.

LivingWithANob · 05/09/2025 15:07

Just because they are living in a van doesnt mean theyre going to be a nuisance you know. I think in all honesty, we will see much more of people doing this in the future. Rents are ridiculous. As long as the vehicle is taxed, mot’d and insured, its allowed to be on the public highway, outside of your house or not.

i thought this was going to be a post regarding a house opposite a homeless shelter where there are regular homeless hanging around outside in various states. We have one locally and a house is up for sale opposite that. They may have trouble selling it

peppapigoinkoinkk · 05/09/2025 15:01

Knock on the window op and tell the riff raff to piss off as they’re making the place look untidy…

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 15:00

Catwalking · 05/09/2025 14:57

Could Surveyor be asked to help/inform over this CP aspect?

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Wouldn't they just check the house? I'm not really sure if they would know

OP posts:
Catwalking · 05/09/2025 14:57

Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 14:54

Yeah it's all done, there is just one query left, but otherwise we could exchanging in about 2 weeks

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Could Surveyor be asked to help/inform over this CP aspect?

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 14:54

Catwalking · 05/09/2025 14:24

Have you had any surveyancing done? Could be helpful?

Yeah it's all done, there is just one query left, but otherwise we could exchanging in about 2 weeks

OP posts:
Catwalking · 05/09/2025 14:24

Have you had any surveyancing done? Could be helpful?

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 14:21

GAJLY · 05/09/2025 07:18

I can't understand all the people saying, they've chosen that lifestyle! It's acting homeless outside someone's house! I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't want it in front of their house!

This is exactly it, it's the home I'm planning to live in for the next 5 years, so I am planning to sell up at some point, so they might put off the next buyer too

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 14:20

MissMoneyFairy · 05/09/2025 11:25

Have you exchanged contracts yet.

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No, not yet

OP posts:
OchreSnail · 05/09/2025 11:28

GlastoNinja · 03/09/2025 22:08

That defeats the object of choosing van life which is (in most cases) a choice rather than necessity

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From experience I think it's more often necessity than choice; it's not all Instagram-worthy vans and digital nomads, there are just an awful lot of people who are priced out of housing, so a boat or a van is the only option.

Just because people are making the best of their available options and sharing tips and experiences ('van life') doesn't mean it was their first choice.

MissMoneyFairy · 05/09/2025 11:25

Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 10:46

I've contacted 4 different people this morning about them, including the police. 3 of them have said it's not them, so waiting on the last one to see what they will do. Police said it's the council, council said it's someone else etc

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Have you exchanged contracts yet.

SeaAndStars · 05/09/2025 11:21

Living opposite the car park is going to be hard work for you isn't it OP.

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 10:46

MissMoneyFairy · 05/09/2025 10:38

How far along are you in buying the house, have you exchanged yet. What will you do if the council and police take no action, have you spoken to your conveyancer yet.

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I've contacted 4 different people this morning about them, including the police. 3 of them have said it's not them, so waiting on the last one to see what they will do. Police said it's the council, council said it's someone else etc

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 05/09/2025 10:38

Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 05:40

I went yesterday and got their license plate number, and they do have it taxed and MOT.

I will email the local council today and see what they say

How far along are you in buying the house, have you exchanged yet. What will you do if the council and police take no action, have you spoken to your conveyancer yet.

upseedaisee · 05/09/2025 08:54

REDB99 · 05/09/2025 08:20

I have no idea but the OP hasn’t suggested they’re pissing or shitting in her garden or the car park so I’m not sure why your question is relevant?

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It's very relelvent when you don't know! They may not be 'shitting and pissing' in OP's garden, who know perhaps they are, but it has to go somewhere, so I'm sure it's ending up someplace in the public domain causing a health hazard.

REDB99 · 05/09/2025 08:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I have no idea but the OP hasn’t suggested they’re pissing or shitting in her garden or the car park so I’m not sure why your question is relevant?

GAJLY · 05/09/2025 07:18

I can't understand all the people saying, they've chosen that lifestyle! It's acting homeless outside someone's house! I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't want it in front of their house!

genic75 · 05/09/2025 06:09

They might have chosen that lifestyle. Many people do. And just because they live in a van, doesn’t mean they are going to do anything wrong!
you could just go and say hello to them!

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 05:40

I went yesterday and got their license plate number, and they do have it taxed and MOT.

I will email the local council today and see what they say

OP posts:
NoKidsSendDogs · 05/09/2025 01:02

crackofdoom · 03/09/2025 21:24

What should you do?

Count yourself lucky that you are able to afford a secure roof over your head, unlike the hundreds of thousands of people in this country who can't.

That's what you should do.

Oh get off it

ItsNotYou852 · 04/09/2025 21:53

This
Maybe just go knock on the door, introduce yourself as the new neighbour, ask if they live there full time, are there any problems that stem from any use of the car park?
You might find they are moving on soon, or it might turn into a beneficial relationship, who knows?
You won't unless you try!

deckchairmayhem · 04/09/2025 20:15

Go with your gut Op, about the house purvhase. Don't be gas lit by ignorant harpies on MN.
Yes, anti-social behaviour does exist, drugs, alcohol.
Figure out if they are indeed vanlifers. If you ve ever seen YouTube videos about vanlifers they are always discreet people, and no bother whatsoever. Anyone who's parked up for weeks isn't prioritising discretion.
As some people have said go and have a friendly word with them, and you might even discover they are pleasant.

Waterweight · 04/09/2025 19:29

Whatinthedoopla · 04/09/2025 11:47

Exactly!

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Presumably there's shops/public bathrooms in the town + they might have gym memberships or know of public pools with showers

LeticiaMorales · 04/09/2025 19:17

Do you check on them every day?