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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:
WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream · 10/12/2021 01:17

You could always leave them a key - so that they can use your house while it is empty too?

WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream · 10/12/2021 01:19

Of course it is unreasonable :). They are CFs - even if not harm is done.

I'd really like you to get some penguin bollards to sort this out because everyone on Mumsnet talks about these but no-one ever gets serious!

spotsbeforetheeyes · 10/12/2021 01:20

YANBU.

I'd put a note on their windscreen saying, "Please stop parking here. This is private property. We have noted your license plate number and if you continue to use this space, we will take further action."

Then if it continues you can speak with the school & give them the car number.

KateInHappyland · 10/12/2021 01:23

I wouldn’t have parked elsewhere whilst waiting for them to leave. I’d have sat in my car, indicating towards the space, waiting to see the look of horror when they returned and realised they’d been caught. Grin

Definitely call them out on it.

Hoesbeforebroes · 10/12/2021 01:26

I too live opposite a primary school, and watch it all day as my desk is set up in the front window. It really has been an eye opener.

A free, easy, confrontation-free starting point could be to block your empty space with a bin or similar. We actually have a couple of orange traffic cones which deter all but the most C of CFs.

DoubleTweenQueen · 10/12/2021 01:28

@LemonJelly76 I find myself torn, as it’s just 10-15 mins - but then you are forced to park elsewhere so that’s probably the clincher.

Not sure how you can enforce the no parking expectation though. Have penguin bollards been mentioned yet?

mathanxiety · 10/12/2021 01:28

Buy a set of orange cones and put them in your spot.

Next time you see the car, stick a typed note on the windshield telling the driver she is occupying a private space and needs to park elsewhere, as the driveway is off limits.

If she ignores this, confront her personally.

nokidshere · 10/12/2021 01:28

I used to childmind for a lady who lived opposite a school and they had 4 spaces outside the house 2 of which where hers (she only had one car) It was great because it meant I always had a dedicated parking space for pickups.

Until one day a policewoman knocked on my window and said I had been reported by multiple parents for parking on a drive that wasn't mine.

So I would first ask them to stop parking there and then report to the police not the school.

Original poster
LemonJelly76 · 10/12/2021 01:29

@JustJoinedRightNow

Can you park them in so that they need to come and find you to move your car, and then that’s when you can speak to her about parking there. She’s an absolute CF
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'm liking the idea of a monthly fee 😁

OP posts:
DoubleTweenQueen · 10/12/2021 01:29

@LemonJelly76 Actually, @spotsbeforetheeyes has a good approach.

StaplesCorner · 10/12/2021 01:31

I've never heard anything so daft. You actually park elsewhere so as to allow complete strangers the convenience of parking on your drive and your dad thinks you should do that. No words.

Original poster
LemonJelly76 · 10/12/2021 01:35

@mathanxiety

Buy a set of orange cones and put them in your spot.

Next time you see the car, stick a typed note on the windshield telling the driver she is occupying a private space and needs to park elsewhere, as the driveway is off limits.

If she ignores this, confront her personally.

I was considering buying a Little Tykes car and putting it in the drive. On bin day the bins are in the way

I've only been inconvenienced a couple of times and I did wonder if I was being unreasonable feeling a bit aggrieved by the cheeky fuckery of it, especially when my dad, who's a very chilled out person, thinks there's no harm being done .

The overwhelming opinion on here is that they're CFs.

I've a few options but as already said I can't block in should I come home again and find them in it but I'm feeling more confident now to have a friendly word and ask them to not.

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonJelly76 · 10/12/2021 01:37

@spotsbeforetheeyes

YANBU.

I'd put a note on their windscreen saying, "Please stop parking here. This is private property. We have noted your license plate number and if you continue to use this space, we will take further action."

Then if it continues you can speak with the school & give them the car number.

This is good but if I'm not at home I see them via my camera. If I come home and they're in it I'd probably speak directly now (although the coward in me might still write the note 🤣)
OP posts:
TreadLightly3 · 10/12/2021 01:39

Two words - penguin bollard

Mosaic123 · 10/12/2021 01:42

It's just not acceptable.

You have a very kind Dad. Too nice!

Original poster
LemonJelly76 · 10/12/2021 01:42

@StaplesCorner

I've never heard anything so daft. You actually park elsewhere so as to allow complete strangers the convenience of parking on your drive and your dad thinks you should do that. No words.
They use the drive regularly and I see on my camera. I've been inconvenienced a couple of times in the year I've lived here when my working hours mean I arrive home at school pick up

My dad thinks it's ok to use it because 99% of the time its empty 🤷

I like the idea of sitting there indicating... 😁

OP posts:
starrynight21 · 10/12/2021 01:47

my dad, who's a very chilled out person, thinks there's no harm being done

So would your dad like it if he came home from being out, and his house was full of people sitting around in his sitting room ? After all the house was empty and there was no harm being done ! Same thing as this .

SpringCrocus · 10/12/2021 01:59

Why on earth are you so influenced by your father's opinion? Its your drive, yes? Not his? So why does he get any say?

ThinWomansBrain · 10/12/2021 02:05

@Twolostsoulsswimminginafishbow

Id block them in then have a large gin.
If it was summer, I'd block them in and have a large gin while sitting on a chair in the garden. And wave Grin

failing that, fairy liquid or something messy on their window screen (or jsut a large notice saying "Fuck off twat, don't park here again")

PrincessFiorimonde · 10/12/2021 02:05

@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.

Agree with this.
nettie434 · 10/12/2021 02:18

There are apps like Just Park which enable people to rent out their parking spaces so you could do this if you wanted.

However, I wouldn't come to an arrangement with this person as they've already shown they are a CF and I'd be worried that they wouldn't pay or would try to use the space at inconvenient times.

Yaya26 · 10/12/2021 02:30

Could they possibly park there because if proximity to school and have one or more babies in the car that they leave there while dropping older child/children? Don't go mental Mumsnet! I'm only asking if that's a possibility. If not and if they aren't dissabled they are complete CFs.

Yaya26 · 10/12/2021 02:30

Disabled!

JakeyRolling · 10/12/2021 02:36

Even if they are disabled they are CF - it's the OPs drive, not a disabled parking space.

It's up to the council/school to make arrangements for BB holders to park closer.

TurquoiseDragon · 10/12/2021 03:00

@JakeyRolling

Even if they are disabled they are CF - it's the OPs drive, not a disabled parking space. It's up to the council/school to make arrangements for BB holders to park closer.
Exactly! It's not the OP's problem.