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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:
lisaandalan · 10/12/2021 23:25

She's a liberty taker. X

lisaandalan · 10/12/2021 23:28

Could you get a sign put up any unauthorised person caught parking here will receive a fine in the post.
That might stop her. X

TheNamelessGirl · 11/12/2021 00:53

Penguin bollards!! 🐧

StoneofDestiny · 11/12/2021 01:00

Cars do damage on drives - wear and tear and oil leaks etc etc. I'd not allow anybody to park on my empty drive - I'm staggered anybody thinks that's an OK thing to do.

Bogeyes · 11/12/2021 05:51

Empty a box of nails on your drive...I would be seething.

TrashyPanda · 11/12/2021 07:55

Why would the school have to deal with this, it is nothing to do with them

It has everything to do with the school, which exists as part of a community, not in splendid isolation.

Of course the school should be publicising rude behaviour. The school should also be teaching kids about unnecessary car journeys - the impact on the environment, the dangers of having too many cars on residential streets etc and should be encouraging walking to school, publishing the health benefits.

CloudPop · 11/12/2021 08:35

@nomoneytreehere

Does it really matter? Honestly life is short. Unless it actually inconveniencing you (then of course you say something) why get stressed over this. I think your dad has the right idea to be honest. It's a bit like reacting to someone else's bad driving, in the end it's just your own day that gets ruined.

Ps I don't park on other peoples driveways as I leave in enough time so I don't have to but I also acknowledge other people have stuff going on that means they can't be as perfect as me!getting stressed over cf behaviour actually just ruins your own day.

Of course it matters. What are you talking about ?!
CruCru · 11/12/2021 09:44

@Bogeyes

Empty a box of nails on your drive...I would be seething.
Please don’t do this. It isn’t worth causing a serious accident over. Apart from anything, the nails will also end up in delivery drivers’ tyres.
CruCru · 11/12/2021 09:45

Actually, do you have any old crap you need to get rid of? Get a skip. Leave builders’ sacks full of garden waste at the front of the drive.

HangingDitch · 11/12/2021 09:50

I’d have parked behind them and blocked them in. And when they eventually find you, explain it’s a private parking space, they were in it and so you had no option.

BlackeyedSusan · 11/12/2021 10:09

Can you print pictures of the culprit and car and post it them on a large sign on your space. (Old cereal boxes and a Sharpie) embarrass the CF in front of her fellow parents.

Have you got any neighbours who would be up for putting a sign under her back wind screen wiper so it can be read from the street?

TheFeistyFeminist · 11/12/2021 10:26

You can contact the DVLA to get the ownership details for the car, see list of reasonable reasons here: www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla

"You can ask for details of another vehicle’s registered keeper. You’ll need a ‘reasonable cause’, for example:
• finding out who was responsible for an accident
• tracing the registered keeper of an abandoned vehicle
• tracing the registered keeper of a vehicle parked on private land" and the list goes on.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 11/12/2021 12:10

I would find some way of blocking it in. Even if you can't park behind it, I'd find something to block it with, even if I had to put up a bollard.

Once blocked in just don't answer your door. Leave a note up with your number and when she rings say you've gone on holiday, you'll be back after Xmas. You're terribly sorry but you had a flight to catch and it's a risk you take when you trespass to park on private property.

andtherewere2 · 11/12/2021 12:39

Can you get a temporary post and chain that goes across your driving space - or put out couple orange cones- with a sign in it that says "Private Number X" . Put it across your parking space.

It would bother me that CF mum is entitled enough to park in my paid for space and land. She won't be in her car when you return early so can't move her car and doesn't care about inconveniencing you. I would stay behind and shout at her when she drives into my drive whilst recording her

I would screen shot photos of her car and Reg from my cctv camera and put on local Fb page saying Anyone know this person who keeps parking in my drive when she drops off and picks up her DCs from X school?

Can you put notice up on your garage/ property saying "private land no parking -cctv recording."
Then you may have recall to get her address from car reg from DVLA and send her cease and desist letter?

andtherewere2 · 11/12/2021 12:43

Oh @TheFeistyFeminist has already answered

You can get her details and send her a decease and desist letter about parking in your driveway which is private land, and that you consider any further incidences - recorded on cctv - so I'd send screen shot photos - will result in a complaint to police (about harassment)

andtherewere2 · 11/12/2021 12:44

Lol autocorrect- Cease and desist

Grin not decease and desist as that's a tad harsh 🤣🤣

Vanillacupcake33 · 11/12/2021 13:22

As a pp said pop a note on the window screen or wait for them to come back and tell them you have had to park away from your own home because they have parked on your drive and you'd appreciate them not parking there, failing that complain to the school. We've had numerous letters from my dd school asking parents to not park around others drives and as these idiots don't listen they now send a camera around for warnings or fines. Worth a try op.

VikingOnTheFridge · 11/12/2021 13:30

The only way it wouldn't matter is if for whatever reason you weren't bothered.

examnerves · 11/12/2021 14:58

If it doesn't really bother you, then you could stop her one day and explain that it does sometimes inconvenience you and it is private property but you'd be happy to rent the space for say £50 a year. Win win

CovidCorvid · 11/12/2021 15:02

Unfortunately the layout of the road means if I block them in, I'd likely block the road due to parked cars on the opposite side.

I’d still do it. Some fucker blocked my drive once and I parked at a right angle blocking them in and also blocking the whole high street and went inside!

mylittlefamily · 11/12/2021 17:23

That sounds like an excellent idea! I’d probably do similar!

Queenbee77 · 11/12/2021 17:28

Put up a plant on wheels.....not obvious....but so you can yourself move it easily! Or a makeshift fence. Or a cone. Cheeky woman.

andrewjones62 · 11/12/2021 17:28

Not ridiculous at all..

Bobbins36 · 11/12/2021 17:28

Park your car across the drive, block them in and take yourself out for a long walk. Cheeky beggars. And report to school.