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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Man in caravan parked over the road

143 replies

Thisyearhasflownby · 10/09/2023 19:55

Would this creep you out?

We live in a holiday type place, fairly close to the beach (not U.K.)
But it’s a suburban area and a cul de sac
On and off for the last few weeks, a caravan has pulled up across the road and just parks there for days on end and then just goes until the next time.
I walked with my Dd and dog before and looked in the front window (driver part) and sort a man sort of dart into the back of the caravan.
I am a fairly anxious person about these sorts of things, I have a 5 year old and a few of Dds friends of a similar age on the street and I just don’t like it
Aibu?

OP posts:
Original poster
Thisyearhasflownby · 10/09/2023 20:16

@PinkRoses1245 Its a road that I assume we pay for as it’s part of a condominium, we pay for the upkeep etc, we don’t have driveways, this is where we park, no one else ever parks here

OP posts:
nebulae · 10/09/2023 20:16

Thisyearhasflownby · 10/09/2023 20:08

Not assuming he’s anything, but don’t like not knowing who he is..everyone knows each other in the neighbourhood…there are camp sites v v close and people park their vans by the beach, why go to a random quiet cul de sac, it’s just weird

From your OP it does sound like making an assumption. Otherwise why did you mention your daughter's age and the fact there are other children of a similar age? If that is your suspicion at least own it.

randomusername2020 · 10/09/2023 20:16

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

BigFatLiar · 10/09/2023 20:17

Provided he's not causing an obstruction it's probably quite legal.

Maybe he wants to have a film made like the one about the lady in the van.

SpareHeirOverThere · 10/09/2023 20:17

PinkRoses1245 · 10/09/2023 20:11

you are being very paranoid as well, like you assume he’s going to hurt your kid

What ever happened to trust your instincts? If you feel it's off, report it. It's unusual enough to raise your suspicions, OP.

MissSeventies · 10/09/2023 20:18

To be honest I don't think OP is being unreasonable at all. You can have sympathy, you can think it is disgraceful that people have to.live in vans/ caravans full time, but that does not mean you are happy to have them in your front garden. I would also be creeped out OP. If something untoward were to happen the same people who are saying it is fine and dandy/ you are prejudiced nimby would be the first to say you should have called the police.

66rabbits · 10/09/2023 20:19

Why don't you go and knock and introduce yourself?

Daffodilsandtuplips · 10/09/2023 20:20

Is it a motorhome or a trailer type attached to a car with tow hook? Look up the bylaws for parking restrictions for these types of vehicles. I ask because you mentioned the Drivers cab and these are in motor homes.
In the UK the trailer type can’t park on a residential street and set up for a long stay, they can stop for a short time for the driver to have a short rest but have to remain attached to the vehicle towing it and not lower the steadies down (the stabilising legs) it has to face direction of travel so the rear reflectors are visible to other traffic.
Some districts don’t allow overnight stop overs for motor homes, they can park up and stay for the day but have to move on.
Our district council does allow it but moves are afoot to bring in restrictions or charges.

Gothambutnotahamster · 10/09/2023 20:22

I agree with @randomusername2020 and id be calling 101 (or whatever your equivalent is) for advice.

I also like the PP suggestion of knocking on his door but not sure Id actually be brave enough to do that!

No one should be camping on a residential street IMHO & i certainly wouldn't like it if someone parked up opposite my house!

BigFatLiar · 10/09/2023 20:23

Thisyearhasflownby · 10/09/2023 20:16

@PinkRoses1245 Its a road that I assume we pay for as it’s part of a condominium, we pay for the upkeep etc, we don’t have driveways, this is where we park, no one else ever parks here

In which case is it a public road or a private road. If its private talk to whoever is in charge of the roads to ask him to move on.

If its a public road he may have the same right as everyone else to stop there.

Ponderingwindow · 10/09/2023 20:24

Where I live, it is illegal and you can report to the police. I would call the non-emergency line. In our town they do have time to address these kinds of issues.

there are legal camping spots, but residential streets are not included among them.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 10/09/2023 20:25

Those saying she’s paranoid or unreasonable try having up to 100 of these motorhome sparked along your road on the seafront every weekend, if they can’t get a spot there they park in the residential streets, parking is a nightmare for the locals.

Nanny0gg · 10/09/2023 20:25

WaxhamSeals · 10/09/2023 20:05

It’s not your parking space, is it? It’s public road so anyone can park there

Show quote history

I don't think you can park a caravan and live in it on a public road

YabbaDabbaDooooo · 10/09/2023 20:31

Thisyearhasflownby · 10/09/2023 20:14

I haven’t contacted the local authority yet, I’m sure it’s not legal at all.
Its a brand new, shiny nice one, like a holiday one with an expensive bike on the back.
Just don’t like the fact I’ve not seen him and he’s opposite my house

This is the sort of thing that makes MN a bit of a laughing stock.

This has been going on/off for weeks, 'you're a fairly anxious person', you're worried about your 5 year old child etc.

And rather than contact your local council, you've decided to contact Mumsnet instead 🙄

Just email them.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 10/09/2023 20:31

Nanny0gg · 10/09/2023 20:25

I don't think you can park a caravan and live in it on a public road

Show quote history

You can’t in the U.K. and not all roads are public roads, my road is a private road, it’s a cul de sac and the three house owners pay for the upkeep of it.
Op find out if yours is private, and it sounds like it could be, if so tell him to move on.

Maddy70 · 10/09/2023 20:31

A friend of mine lives in his camper. It means he can move house whenever he feels like it.

He does it for most of the year he's not harming anyone

lookingforMolly · 10/09/2023 20:32

Round where I live (seaside town in uk) there are lots of these vans now, some very run down, with people living in them.
The police and council are so far turning a blind eye.
I feel for them but would I want a random stranger living in a van on the street outside my home? It's an uncomfortable question to ask yourself.

I know a guy in the local police who said nearly every street sleeper homeless person they found on a 'morning round' recently in the town centre was either known to them or actually wanted for arrest!
But the homeless people living in vans tend to be a bit of an unknown quantity- some may be 'on the run', but others are just genuinely fallen on hard times for innocent reasons / feel like dropping out...

Beepbeepoutoftheway · 10/09/2023 20:33

To be honest, I find it more creepy you looker in his caravan. Would you like it if he looked in your window?

Kinneddar · 10/09/2023 20:36

but just the way I saw a male figure move away when I walked past freaked me out

Why on earth was that your reaction? He's moved out of sight because someone was walking past & possibly looking in. What on earth about that freaks you out?

WhateverMate · 10/09/2023 20:36

Beepbeepoutoftheway · 10/09/2023 20:33

To be honest, I find it more creepy you looker in his caravan. Would you like it if he looked in your window?

Yes, this ^^

Why OP, her husband or their neighbours couldn't simply knock and speak to this bloke is beyond me.

But peering through his window seems perfectly acceptable.

Redhound · 10/09/2023 20:36

Probably not allowed to live in it, as others have said he should find a little caravan site, they start from c £10 per night with water and about £16 per night with electric.

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 10/09/2023 20:38

Thisyearhasflownby · 10/09/2023 20:16

@PinkRoses1245 Its a road that I assume we pay for as it’s part of a condominium, we pay for the upkeep etc, we don’t have driveways, this is where we park, no one else ever parks here

Well they do now!

Kat19899 · 10/09/2023 20:38

You could knock and speak to him. It sounds like he isn’t causing a nuisance other than taking up a parking place. I think I would assume he doesn’t have a fixed place to live and he feels safer in a a small residential street, you wouldn’t choose there for a holiday. Maybe he can’t afford pitch fees, I’m not sure we can judge his income based on just a bicycle. I definitely wouldn’t assume he is any kind of threat. What are you worried he’s actually going to do?

Beepbeepoutoftheway · 10/09/2023 20:39

@WhateverMate I'm glad you agree! Personally, I'd wait until I saw this chap and asked if he was okay, did he need anything etc!

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 10/09/2023 20:40

I'd love a camper!