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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

CF? Would you park on the driveway of a house you were viewing to buy?

358 replies

movingonupps · 05/04/2022 16:31

This happened to us today and DH & I can't quite workout if we were the CF or not lol.

Went to viewing, no where to park, 1 car already on 3 car drive.

We parked on drive and got out of car

Vendor opens door, asks why we have parked on drive.

Explained we had a viewing

Again she said why have you parked on drive, her son will be home shortly

I said if it's a problem, we will just leave; so we did!

Her EA was gobsmacked when I explained why we didn't do the viewing.

Who is BU?

OP posts:
Silverclocks · 05/04/2022 17:46

Was she a divorcee who doesn't want to move by any chance?!

I've done it where there was nowhere else. As a vendor, you don't want to be drawing attention to lousy parking.....unless you don't want to sell.

gogohm · 05/04/2022 17:47

She's unreasonable though I personally never did park on a drive when house hunting. It could be she doesn't want to sell, eg relationship breakdown

Limer · 05/04/2022 17:47

I'd always park on the drive! Genuinely amazed that there are people who wouldn't!

Fimofriend · 05/04/2022 17:49

I am very surprised at the people who say to ask first. If you have agreed to a viewing of your house you have essentially invited people to your house. Very neurotic to expect people to ask before they park when you have invited them.

Brainwave89 · 05/04/2022 17:50

That is bizarre. I have turned up for house viewings where people did not realise I was Asian (you cannot tell from my name), and then attitudes change. Anything like this? Had one who said that she did not think the conditions were right for her to sell to us. I asked what she meant and she smiled and said I will show you out...

Lockedoorsopen · 05/04/2022 17:50

Dodged a bullet there

Mulhollandmagoo · 05/04/2022 17:50

When we sold our house, the EA advised we remove our car from the drive so the potential buyer could maybe park there so they would get the feel of driving up to 'their' house, all about the first impressions isn't it!

Neverreturntoathread · 05/04/2022 17:51

Unless it’s massive (4 cars plus) I wouldn’t park on the driveway without checking first, no, in case it was needed, which it obviously was.

The seller’s life has to continue as normal despite all the random viewings.

WonderingWanda · 05/04/2022 17:51

@Bournetilly

YABU I wouldn’t park on someone else’s drive even if viewing a house, they still live there
Well if we apply that logic then maybe we shouldn't gonin and view the houses either?

YANBU to have parked on the drive!

maddy68 · 05/04/2022 17:51

I wouldn't have parked on thw drive. I think that's rude

dudsville · 05/04/2022 17:53

I think you were both BU. You should have asked, and she should have graciously agreed. I've viewed many a house and never parked on their drive. A few times this meant having to walk a bit but we're able to to do that.

yellowsuninthesky · 05/04/2022 17:53

@Krakenchorus

The person selling the house is an idiot. Of course it is reasonable to park on the drive of a house you are considering buying.
Yes. And much better than parking on the pavement outside, which a lot of people seem to think is acceptable (not exclusive to house viewing).

I don't think you were unreasonable, OP. However, if her son was imminently due home, I don't think she was unreasonable to ask you to move, either. She could have said do you mind moving as my son is due home shortly and then you can park behind him?

NerrSnerr · 05/04/2022 17:54

I don't think it's rude to park on the drive of a house you're viewing. If they don't want you to park at the property they should let you know.

Dixiechickonhols · 05/04/2022 17:54

I would say that was logical place to park, you were visiting them. I'm sure on those Property shows they advise moving car off drive and leaving free especially if street parking bad so buyer doesn't feel parking an issue.

BoredZelda · 05/04/2022 17:55

Presumably you’d expect to see inside the house and view the garden, garage, shed etc.when you’re viewing a property that you’re considering buying?

Would you use their toilet, make yourself a cup of tea, park on their sofa and watch telly? Because that’s the equivalent to taking up a space that the owner might need to use at the same time.

theschitt · 05/04/2022 18:00

I grow up in a detached house on a very very busy main road. We had a large drive with lots of parking and visitors always parked in our drive so I always assumed that was the etiquette.

Now I have my own smaller house with a small drive with plenty of room for one extra car but also plenty of safe easy street parking I notice nobody (apart from my close family) ever parks on my drive unless I am sleeping with them Smile so now I don't park in someone else's drive unless I'm invited to, or they have a large house

bluebaul · 05/04/2022 18:03

@tentative3

I never understand this comment, even if it's a reverse it still happened, just from the other point of view.

Of course, but I was stunned anyone would post that did it from OP pov and honestly expected more people to side with the vendor here.

I understand reverses still happen either way, but usually it's the OMG point of view that nobody would admit to that's used in the reverse

whynotwhatknot · 05/04/2022 18:04

She should have made the viewing a different time if she didnt want her ds inconvenienced

Sunnierdays · 05/04/2022 18:05

You, it’s not your house!

OutingHobby · 05/04/2022 18:07

You probably should have asked first but her reaction should have been "yeah sure" or "yes but could you squeeze over to the side a bit". I don't think she wants to sell.

Abitofalark · 05/04/2022 18:10

It's good manners to stop and ask if it is all right to park on the drive. You are expected, fair enough, and if I am expecting visitors I will want to let them know they can park on the drive. But it's about not being presumptuous. You don't start walking around the garden as soon as you arrive, do you? No, you wait to meet the owner first and be shown around. Simple!

HTH1 · 05/04/2022 18:14

Totally normal to park there, maybe she was trying to hide the fact that she was selling the house from her son (bit odd if he’s an adult though).

Agree that, unless you really loved the house, no point carrying on with a seller like that.

Figgyboa · 05/04/2022 18:19

I would never assume to park on someone's driveway, I would clarify the parking situation first. But that said, she does sound a little precious.

WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe · 05/04/2022 18:19

@BoredZelda

Presumably you’d expect to see inside the house and view the garden, garage, shed etc.when you’re viewing a property that you’re considering buying?

Would you use their toilet, make yourself a cup of tea, park on their sofa and watch telly? Because that’s the equivalent to taking up a space that the owner might need to use at the same time.

No it really isn’t the equivalent at all 🤣🤣🤣
godmum56 · 05/04/2022 18:21

@dudsville

I think you were both BU. You should have asked, and she should have graciously agreed. I've viewed many a house and never parked on their drive. A few times this meant having to walk a bit but we're able to to do that.
but.....you are an expected visitor!
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