To park my motorhome on my drive for the duration of lockdown?

[cantdothisnow1]

I have a motorhome that is kept in storage in normal times.

I have 2 autistic kids who can't go to school, we normally get out and about as much as possible for sanity but obviously from Thursday movements are restricted.

WIBU to park my motorhome on the drive for lockdown to give us more space? This would technically be in breach of restrictive covenants on our property.

Logic behind it being that the kids would have a breakout room if needed. We had some major mental health problems in the first lockdown.

WWYD?

Most of these covenants, as has been said, are not enforceable after a period of time and it isn’t as if you intend to make it a permanent feature. We’ve been in our house for a few years and they’re getting to the end of the building work. The biggest eyesores are the vehicles that belong to the sub contractors who are painting, doing carpets and fitting kitchens and bathrooms.

Is there anything to be gained by explaining to the neighbour that it will be better if your children have somewhere to escape to?

Can you get your DCs SW to write a letter supporting the need for this temporary measure? Ours is very good about emailing letters to me pretty quickly. Failing that your GP, although this will likely cost. That way you can provide evidence that this is for a medical need.

@Illberidingshotgun

Can you get your DCs SW to write a letter supporting the need for this temporary measure? Ours is very good about emailing letters to me pretty quickly. Failing that your GP, although this will likely cost. That way you can provide evidence that this is for a medical need.

that's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that.

I think it would be lovely for them, their own little 'den'. Do it!

Are the children normally taught at home, or is this just a Covid-related arrangement?

Are the children normally taught at home, or is this just a Covid-related arrangement?

@MoonJelly

Are the children normally taught at home, or is this just a Covid-related arrangement?

They are 'educated other than at school' , so home based learning as there are no schools that can meet needs in the area and they couldn't cope with residential.

They do have some tuition this was done face to face pre- covid but now is entirely online.

Eldest has been educated this way for 3 years now. Youngest 1.5 years.

Are you allowed to park on the street? If yes you could do that if anyone complains.

Do it. We had a caravan on our drive last time and I used to disappear there for a few hours to do a puzzle,

I would put a lovely letter through the neighbours doors, explaining why it is there and reassuring them that it won't be there forever.
Thank them for being wonderful nieghbours to your boys in a difficult time.

This will make them feel as if they are doing something good for your family, and they won't mind the motor home!

@pralineandketchup

Yabu. Our neighbours parks theirs so close to the edge of our drive that passengers can't get in and out of our car. I've now put a fence up to stop them.

You shouldn't be relying on your neighbours' drive being empty to be able to open your car door, though. They have every right to build a wall for example, so you couldn't open your door onto it anyway.

I wouldn't bother putting notes through doors. Realistically, by the time anyone could be bothered to take you to court for it, the motor home would probably be back in storage.

These covenants are important and they are enforceable. They are almost universal on new build estates and they prevent people who buy the houses putting work vans, caravans and horse boxes etc. on their drives. We bought our house because it had these covenants, the previous new development round the corner didn't have the covenants and there are two houses there whose views are continually blocked by a large works van, almost a lorry constantly parked there. On my development ( 6 houses) we made a joint decision not to object to TV aeriels and the odd bit of chicken keeping but to observe the other conditions. If anyone needs to act outside a covenant - my DH needed to bring the works minibus home a couple of years ago to drive his coleagues home in the snow - we mention it to our neighbours to check it is OK with them.
OP I'd advise you to talk to your neighbours, otherwise you might get a solicitors letter.

I feel for you in your situation.

The issue I am thinking is that all your neighbours are now presumably having to spend the next month at home and looking out of their windows. If there is a neighbour whose main view of looking out is going to be blighted by having your motorcaravan in their face all month then to be honest I feel sorry for them.

If it isn't going to be an eyesore for anyone then go ahead .

@Chamomileteaplease

I feel for you in your situation.

The issue I am thinking is that all your neighbours are now presumably having to spend the next month at home and looking out of their windows. If there is a neighbour whose main view of looking out is going to be blighted by having your motorcaravan in their face all month then to be honest I feel sorry for them.

If it isn't going to be an eyesore for anyone then go ahead .

Yes that is the potential problem which is why i'm hesitating.

You shouldn't be relying on your neighbours' drive being empty to be able to open your car door, though. They have every right to build a wall for example, so you couldn't open your door onto it anyway

Yep. This.

Do you have a neighbours whatsapp group? You could post on there explaining things and prearrange for a friendly neighbour to respond straight away saying 'of course that's ok, who in their right mind would have an issue, we're all in this together bla bla bla'

I'd do it. If neighbour opposite complained, then I'd reassure them that it is only there until the end of the current lockdown. However - do increase your security - campervans and motorhomes theft is really high at the moment.

P.S. we need a diagram

I would do it, and have for while.
Got fed up of the bloody hassle of reports from neighbours and Police visits, but it's a different rule for us, maybe you'll have no trouble.

@MoiraNotRuby

P.S. we need a diagram

OMG have I just, inadvertently, created ANOTHER PARKING THREAD?!

I think you should do this as a temporary measure.

Perhaps you could disguise it a bit - large pot plants around it or something? Bamboo etc?

good luck with the next lock down; hopefully if your neighbours do say anything about it being there they will accept your explanation.

YABU to break a covenant on your property. One of your neighbours is bound to complain and then you will face a fine. It will also cause unnecessary tension with neighbours. It is not worth it. You can still take your kids to the park.

I think that I would go round/ drop a note to all of your neighbours politely explaining why you are doing this and assuring them that the van would be leaving immediately after lockdown. These covenants CAN be enforced so your neighbours would have to be on board with the whole idea.

I'm struggling to understand how it could possibly block the light into the house of the neighbours who live opposite you. Surely your house is taller than the motorhome, and therefore any light-blocking will already be done by your house?! The neighbours are across the street presumably?

Do it OP, by all means pop a note through their door first, and if you do, I'd blame it on the lockdown - e.g. say that the storage provider has gone out of business or something (yes, lie!) and that the motorhome will be gone as soon as lockdown is lifted and you can make non-essential journeys again to find a new storage unit.

Congrats on your parking thread!