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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parent from the school opposite parking on my drive

387 replies

LemonJelly76 · 10/12/2021 00:34

I'm not letting on my actual opinion on this, but I am curious to know what others think.

I live opposite a primary school. I knew the school was there when I bought the house. Most days my car is not on my drive because I am at work, but I have on a couple of occasions come home to find a car there.
I haven't approached the parent on these occasions and have just parked elsewhere until they leave

This parent regularly uses the drive (must assume I'm not in) for 10-15 mins each morning and afternoon. There is usually other parking available, but further away

Driveway is a shared drive for 4 cars, I own one of the spaces and there is a Private Parking sign up across all four spaces which was there before I moved in.

YABU - it's fine because you're not using it most of the time
YANBU - they're CFs

OP posts:
LibbyL92 · 10/12/2021 13:28

I’d block her in. Go into my house and wait for her to knock. And then have the conversation.

StellaGibson118 · 10/12/2021 13:40

Whilst not illegal, it's the highest CFery. I couldn't imagine having the gall.

GatoradeMeBitch · 10/12/2021 13:51

Can you move the other cars forward as much as possible to create enough space for you to block them in? Even if you have to do it horizontally. Inconvenience them like that once or twice and they'll park elsewhere.

CruCru · 10/12/2021 13:52

I think the OP has said that if she blocks them in, she also blocks the road itself.

Get cones. Then speak to the driver. Then speak to the school. Then do something more drastic like getting a bollard.

FiveGoldThings · 10/12/2021 14:07

Penguin Bollard!

Thatldo · 10/12/2021 18:08

The very least they could do is ask you if it is ok to park on your driveway.what sort of parent is this to have the cheek to park on somebody's private land.brilliant example for the kids!

Offmyfence · 10/12/2021 18:12

@vastgrandupgrade

If they came to you and asked if it was ok, and gave you wine or chocolates now and again, and you genuinely didn’t mind - then it’s ok.

It’s obviously not ok to just help themselves to someone else’s property.

I agree
Georgeskitchen · 10/12/2021 19:15

Could you install one of those collapsible bollards and put it upright when you are not home?

RobinRedbreasts · 10/12/2021 19:25

Just park behind them then they'll have to come and ask you to let them out, bet they won't do it again

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 10/12/2021 19:29

Be terrible if you had to carry something heavy, wouldn't it. Like a big tin of paint. If you lost your grip from having to carry it ALL that way and it splattered all over the driveway it would be an utter travesty.

EnoughExclamations · 10/12/2021 19:47

I am not using my bathroom at the moment.

Hardly spend any time in there.

It's empty most of the day.

I wouldn't take kindly to some random passer by letting themselves in, newspaper tucked under their arm, every morning a 9:30 in order to take a nice relaxing shit.

Just because you're not using something every moment, doesn't mean someone else is entitled to have use of your property.

Your parking space. You paid for it so it's ready for you too use whenever you want it. The cheeky fucker ñeeds telling to bugger off.

rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 10/12/2021 19:50

@daisypond

What they are doing is actually illegal, and you don’t mind?

No, not at all. Life is too short to start feeling stressed about something that doesn't really affect me. They will be gone in few minutes.

halloweenie13 · 10/12/2021 20:13

If they had asked, expressed why it helps them and you had agreed etc were on friendly terms then it wouldn't be an issue. But to randomly park there when you haven't asked and/or don't know the person and it clearly states private parking it's very rude and if it were me I'd leave a polite note.

halloweenie13 · 10/12/2021 20:15

@CruCru

I think the OP has said that if she blocks them in, she also blocks the road itself.

Get cones. Then speak to the driver. Then speak to the school. Then do something more drastic like getting a bollard.

This ^ take down the car reg and get some cones in your place or even cctv and a better sign stating that it is private parking cctv is monitoring ect and give the car reg to the school to deal with.
llangollen21 · 10/12/2021 20:18

Block them in, leave the house and do not come back for several hours. They will not do it a second time.

pigsDOfly · 10/12/2021 20:24

@brushandmop

I have the same issue, everyone that does it, i take their rego plate and send it to the school. It's not the schools problem but they can talk to the council and get people out to ticket. Its also unsafe to have cars coming in and out of driveways when the school run is happening.
It's not the schools problem but they can talk to the council and get people out to ticket.

It's not the council's problem either. The council can't issue tickets for a car parked on someone's private drive.

FiveGoldThings · 10/12/2021 20:34

I would get a ring doorbell and use it to shout at them each and every time they park there to remind them it is PRIVATE.

Smoores · 10/12/2021 20:36

I’d block them in and then pretend I wasn’t in when they knocked the door to be honest 😂

Ireolu · 10/12/2021 21:24

Head teacher at my daughter's primary comes out to police parents parking across drives in the morning and tells them to move. Definitely report to the school it is in their best interests to ensure that surrounding residents are happy. Good luck

WeatherwaxOn · 10/12/2021 21:27

Doesn't matter if your driveway is empty or not. It's your driveway for your vehicle. They are CFs.

WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 10/12/2021 21:29

You must be very new to mumsnet if you don’t realise the general opinion on parking.
YANBU they are a CF

XmasElf10 · 10/12/2021 21:33

You aren’t using your bed all day either but you’d be a bit grumpy if you got home and I was having a nap there!

Thwackit · 10/12/2021 21:38

It is YOUR drive and I can’t believe you are wondering if it’s ok for a stranger to park on it without asking them. Take the number plate, report it to the school and tell them to publish it in whole school communication to parents. Put a note on the car. If it continues, block them in and refuse to move the car for a good six hours.

Thwackit · 10/12/2021 21:38

*asking you (sorry, am on wine number 3)

goingback · 10/12/2021 22:02

had this with a previous property near a football stadium, shifts meant finishing after the game had started and usually found 1 car on the drive, could hold 2 cars. Before we got bollard and after many arguments with football fans I blocked one car in with my car and went out for the night.
next morning he was banging the door telling me off that he was unable to go to his work and wanted me to pay his lost wages, shame i still couldnt move my car as i had been drinking very late.