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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

233 replies

cantdothisnow1 · 02/11/2020 09:56

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?

OP posts:
Scarby9 · 03/11/2020 20:04

Irrespective of any covenant...
There is a little culdesac opposite us with just 4 houses (2 each side) and a footpath leading out the other end that I walked through most days during the first lockdown.
The family at the end left took in their vulnerable grandparents for the duration, so that they would not have to have what they feared might become unreliable carer visits. They parked their motorhome on their drive and moved their two teenagers into it. They would play cards, sit on their screens and play music (via headphones) and were almost always in the van with all doors and windows open as you walked past however late at night. Their parents delivered their meals.
They began very taciturn and ignoring people but as the weeks went on began to give a nod or a wave as locals and dog walkers passed. By June / July they were in full chat mode with anyone, old or young, and I really missed them once August came and they moved back into their house - or at least I assume they did - I haven't seen them since!
Anyway, no-one objected to the motorhome or ternagers essentially living outside their house. Everyone recognised that extreme circumstances require unusual responses.
I say do it.

Yesmate · 03/11/2020 20:14

I wouldn’t put a note through. They don’t sound like they would particularly respond well and you would likely just signpost them to information about a covenant that they were unaware of.

Your kids need the space. MH is a huge battle and you do what you need to do to lessen the impact.

No solicitor is going to take on that sort of short term breach.

Park the motor home and good luck for lockdown 🤞🏻🍷

midlifeangst · 03/11/2020 20:15

Absolutely do it!

MintyMabel · 03/11/2020 20:19

I wouldn’t ask. I’d just do it and if they come round to complain just apologise and say it won’t be much longer.

Original poster
cantdothisnow1 · 03/11/2020 20:20

@Yesmate

I wouldn’t put a note through. They don’t sound like they would particularly respond well and you would likely just signpost them to information about a covenant that they were unaware of.

Your kids need the space. MH is a huge battle and you do what you need to do to lessen the impact.

No solicitor is going to take on that sort of short term breach.

Park the motor home and good luck for lockdown 🤞🏻🍷

They know about the covenant, they came over to 'remind' me of it when I first bought the motorhome and packed it for the first trip out!

Hadn't had it on the drive 24 hours!

Plus they wrote to my neighbour 'purportedly' on behalf of the street to tell her she was breaking the law having a caravan parked there!

OP posts:
EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide · 03/11/2020 20:22

I'd do it.
We've had our folding camper up on the drive now and then lately to entertain the kids.
These are difficult times.

GarlicMonkey · 03/11/2020 20:29

I'm twatty to one of my neighbours (he started being twatty first) & I winge like hell if he parks his caravan on the drive. But I wouldn't during lockdown & have told him so. The uncomfortable truce will only last the duration of lockdown then the misogynistic, evil shitster can kiss my arse again. Even anti van twats like me are human & I think people in general are more forgiving during times like this.

Original poster
cantdothisnow1 · 03/11/2020 20:31

@GarlicMonkey

I'm twatty to one of my neighbours (he started being twatty first) & I winge like hell if he parks his caravan on the drive. But I wouldn't during lockdown & have told him so. The uncomfortable truce will only last the duration of lockdown then the misogynistic, evil shitster can kiss my arse again. Even anti van twats like me are human & I think people in general are more forgiving during times like this.
I wish there was a like button on Mumsnet!

Brilliant, well done for being the better person!

OP posts:
Ddot · 03/11/2020 20:43

I have a twatty neighbour too. Prize winning twatty infact

Hangingwithmygnomies · 03/11/2020 21:04

I don't understand why it bothers people. My meighbours opposite me have just bought a large caravan - I look on at it with envy as it's quite nice and new nd shiney 😂

Original poster
cantdothisnow1 · 03/11/2020 21:05

@Ddot

I have a twatty neighbour too. Prize winning twatty infact
Flowers
OP posts:
SparklyShoesandTutus · 03/11/2020 21:32

If you are just doing it for lockdown and it was then going back to storage then it sounds reasonable

Pinkfluff76 · 03/11/2020 21:41

I would do it. Good luck OP!

Pinkfluff76 · 03/11/2020 21:55

I would do it. Good luck OP!

Lardlizard · 03/11/2020 21:57

Do it
Where on Earth is the harm in this ?

Someone the next street down has a caravan on their front garden ! Well side garden

msgreen · 03/11/2020 22:39

do it now

JessicaBlack101 · 03/11/2020 23:07

If you are not breaking any laws or bylaws, then its ok.
if its just a fat eye-sore, then just let the neighbours know what you are doing and that its a temp thing. In the mean time, get the kids to do some drawings on massive pieces of paper of plants and animals, and stick them to the motorhome, so its "less ugly". Maybe get the other kids in the neighbourhood to join in. Then call it "evolving art" and as its just paper stuck on, easy to remove when the time comes. Have them laminated or covered in clear cover to protect from rain.

Yesmate · 04/11/2020 00:14

Just seen your reply to me OP. That’s annoying that they know about it (even more so that they have already brought it to your attention too!)
I wouldn’t have thought they would have the time, money or energy to contact a solicitor would they? I don’t know them, I just hope people aren’t that pedantic!
I would still do it though. Don’t answer your door if they come knocking!

Petlover9 · 04/11/2020 04:44

@Yesmate - tend to agree. OP just park it there for now and see if anyone complains

Ddot · 04/11/2020 05:33

Put a wheel clamp on it, for safe measure and that little note in its window. Poem's are good! Here I sit but not for long, please dont stress as I'll be gone, covid blues are just not fun.

Mummyoflittledragon · 04/11/2020 05:37

I would definitely do it. Your dcs welfare is more important than your neighbour’s view as they open their curtains and look at your drive across the road.

Jengnr · 04/11/2020 06:37

I can’t get over some of the comments on here about how it will affect yoyr neighbours, buy them wine etc.

The fact is it will not affect them one little bit. They might not like to look at it (although who actually spends all their time looking out of their windows anyway) but there is no actual impact on them at all.

The impact it would have on your children is huge. Do it.

NigellaAwesome · 04/11/2020 07:42

Op, have you been able to check your covenant to see if it specifies caravans only, or also motor homes?

Regardless, I would be doing it. Why would you compromise your DC's mental health over fears of the neighbours complaining?

GertrudeKerfuffle · 04/11/2020 11:03

Please get your motor home and use it, OP if it will help your kids. It sounds like your neighbours across the road are real interfering busybodies (or 'twats' one might say Smile) and after pulling a stunt like ringing the police about your son, you owe them nothing. If you suspect they previously sent a letter to someone only pretending it was on behalf of the whole street, many of your other neighbours may not actually care about MHs. If anyone queries it obviously explain why it's there and it will be gone as soon as lock down is over. Don't let what-ifs get in the way of doing something that could make such a difference to your poor DCs Thanks

Lclaytonuk5555 · 04/11/2020 11:13

I’d do it - the lockdown would probably be over by the time any action was taken and a complaint made. Al, you would have to do then is move it....l