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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:
jetadore · 10/12/2021 11:14

@WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream

You could always leave them a key - so that they can use your house while it is empty too?
Or offer to pick up and drop off their kids from school for them, then there will be no need for them to use your drive.
CruCru · 10/12/2021 11:15

Yes, please do contact the school.

Other people have mentioned messing with her tyres. Please don't do this. Even if she is really annoying you, it would be absolutely terrible if she had an accident with children in the car.

CheltenhamLady · 10/12/2021 11:32

I would get some cones, it will make the point effectively.

Nanny0gg · 10/12/2021 11:33

@KateInHappyland

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.

I wouldn't

I'd have blocked them in and popped off somewhere for a coffee or a walk!

Nanny0gg · 10/12/2021 11:33

Before involving the school actually speak to the driver and tell them to stoppit.

Then speak to school if they ignore you.

LadyNell · 10/12/2021 11:35

The bare faced cheek and entitlement never ceases to amaze me with some people

ItsSunnyOutside · 10/12/2021 11:36

Yes, they are cfs.
It is private parking for a start and they haven't had the courtesy to ask you if it's OK.

LuneyTunes · 10/12/2021 11:37

Do not let someone use your drive every day. There's all sorts of liability and insurance issues.

LadyNell · 10/12/2021 11:49

I wouldn't ho down the charging for parking route either, they could tell others they can park there when she doesn't use it, you will have all and sundry parking on your drive

Melroses · 10/12/2021 11:51

Rising bollards need to become more affordable.

FixTheBone · 10/12/2021 11:58

It's just really, really lazy.

Myself, my wife and the kids find it really weird walking the 15 minutes to school, that on the way we pass people in our kids class getting into their cars, and then pass them again getting out when we get to school, then pass the parents getting back home as we walk back. This is at least 3 or 4 families....

If there's somewhere within walking distance it's really, really cheeky to use your drive.

We have a supermarket near our school (5mins walk) currently considering getting the whole area around the school permit only and coming to an arrangement with the supermarket to allow parents to park there.....

woodhill · 10/12/2021 12:01

Just not acceptable, how would the person feel if you did the same to them where they live

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 10/12/2021 12:05

@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.
This. Why is your Dad telling you that even in a situation where a random stranger is taking advantage of you that you should keep quiet and not kick up a fuss? These people are making you to park elsewhere fir their convenience, so they can park for free on your drive, without your permission.

Your drive is empty so that you can park there on your return. You pay for it, you don't have to feel guilty that you keep it free for your use.

Ilovesandwiches · 10/12/2021 12:08

CF!!!!

Blondeshavemorefun · 10/12/2021 12:34

course its cheeky

if they had asked ......

Twoweekcruise · 10/12/2021 12:39

My dh lived in a house opposite a primary school and came home one day to find a parent had parked in his driveway. He asked her what she was doing and as she walked off replied that she would not be too long, no apologies, nothing. He shouted back that was fine but hope that she wasn’t expecting to find her car in his drive when she got back because he had a Land Rover with a winch and he would pull it out of his drive and leave it in the middle of the road.
She soon came back, face like thunder, swearing under her breath like he was in the wrong.

FOJN · 10/12/2021 12:41

Just wanting to gather different viewpoints...my dad says there's no harm being done.

That's fine it was your dad's drive but it's not.

I'm not currently using 99% of things which legally belong to me but it wouldn't make it OK for other people to use them just because I'm not.

daisypond · 10/12/2021 12:52

@tearinghairout

IDK why people are being so horrible to you, OP. I think the solution is to charge her - let her 'rent' your driveway for, say, £15 per term. That way you won't feel selfish or that you're being taken for a fool. You could just write the note, say it's private property, you've seen her on the camera, and ask her to put the money through the door.
£15 a term would be ridiculously cheap. Even £15 a week would be cheap. It costs £3.50 an hour just to park on the street where I live - that’s if you can find a space at all - and the wardens are ruthless and frequent.
EmmaWoodhousestreehouse · 10/12/2021 12:57

Rule number one of house buying is never buy a house by a school. Could you wait until they’ve parked there then put your car across the drive to block them in, then don’t answer the door. They’ll only let this happen once before they get the message.

woodhill · 10/12/2021 12:58

I live near a school, pain at times but then so many areas are near schools so can't always be avoided

guestusername · 10/12/2021 13:07

I have the misfortune of living opposite a school and it is hell on earth for half an hour twice a day. These people are utterly feral! They have zero consideration for drive blocking around here and if I need to get in or out during the school run, I’m the one who gets abuse

It happened to me once that I came home from work to find someone parked on my drive. I blocked them in and went for a walk round the block. The abuse I received when I got back was horrific and they failed to grasp the concept that they were in the wrong but they never did it again! The school actively encourage the neighbours to send photos of driveway blocking.

OP use the two way voice thing on your camera. Tell them to do one and get lost. And then block your driveway as creatively as you can 😀

TenoringBehind · 10/12/2021 13:13

I would send a photo to the school and ask them to send out a parentmail (or equivalent) reminding parents not to be twats when parking. This used to happen every few weeks at my chiidren’s primary school.

Tabbydancer · 10/12/2021 13:14

Ask school to send a message to parents reminding them not to park on driveways
Our school did this

MrMrsJones · 10/12/2021 13:15

Take a picture and put it on your local facebook group asking if anyone knows this CF

Justheretoaskaquestion91 · 10/12/2021 13:25

www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/parking-on-someone-elses-driveway/

It’s totally cunty but totally legal