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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Buying house - homeless outside

286 replies

Whatinthedoopla · 03/09/2025 21:21

Hi,

I'm buying a house, and opposite the garden is the community car park. Area is lovely, people are lovely. However, I've noticed thpere has been a van parked right outside the garden (obviously in a parking space), and has been there for weeks. I thought nothing of it, then saw they they open the door and it looks like people live in it! And they look homeless, I saw they legs popping out of the van.

The house has now been emptied, and I'm worried that the homeless people are going into the garden to get water from the tap outside.

My partner isn't worried, but I am, or AIBU?

What should I do?

OP posts:
Cucy · 04/09/2025 14:32

butterflybreeches · 04/09/2025 13:48

If they are emptying it correctly in a registered campsite then there will be a charge.

It seems bonkers to me to drive all the way to a campsite just to empty the lavvy.
They will need to pay the charge and also the fuel to get there. It would probably be cheaper to camp there.

The OP can't monitor them day and night. Just because OP has seen no inappropriate behaviour apart from the van being parked up every day, doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Show quote history

Do you often make up fake scenarios in your head?

OP says she goes there every day and has never come across anyone disposing of their waste inappropriately.

Why make an issue out of something that’s not even happening.

SisterTeatime · 04/09/2025 14:35

MollyMollyMandy33 · 04/09/2025 12:27

If you are worried that they might disturb ‘your’ street ‘in any way whatsoever’ I think you should definitely report them to the police now. And the council. I’m sure that they will be straight round to deal with it for you. Also stealing water, there are so few places that people can get water, this would be a real worry for me too. People living outside in a van, even if you just noticed that they are there because they have been so quiet, are such a risk. Especially in ‘nice’ areas.
Or perhaps, if you see them, you could be friendly and say hi. Perhaps you could even try smiling. It might just build up a little bit of a rapport for the time that they are there, since they are also human beings.

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Thanks so much for this offensive virtue signalling valuable input

butterflybreeches · 04/09/2025 14:41

@Cucy
"Do you often make up fake scenarios in your head?"

Do you have an inability to follow logic?

"OP says she goes there every day and has never come across anyone disposing of their waste inappropriately."

What, she watches them all day and all night? If I had that much time on my hands I'd take up birdwatching.🙄

They could be dumping it it somewhere else under cover of darkness..

Why make an issue out of something that’s not even happening.

We don't know what they do with it and neither do you.

LeticiaMorales · 04/09/2025 15:05

Whatinthedoopla · 04/09/2025 12:33

I'm there every day, there are people living in it

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Right, because you had only seen legs on one occasion, as I understood it, so thanks for the update.

Cucy · 04/09/2025 15:12

butterflybreeches · 04/09/2025 14:41

@Cucy
"Do you often make up fake scenarios in your head?"

Do you have an inability to follow logic?

"OP says she goes there every day and has never come across anyone disposing of their waste inappropriately."

What, she watches them all day and all night? If I had that much time on my hands I'd take up birdwatching.🙄

They could be dumping it it somewhere else under cover of darkness..

Why make an issue out of something that’s not even happening.

We don't know what they do with it and neither do you.

Edited

This is a non issue.

OP goes there everyday and has not come across any human waste or any other issues.

So what they’re doing with it is irrelevant in this situation because it doesn’t affect OP.

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 04/09/2025 15:30

Catwalking · 04/09/2025 11:55

is the vehicle road taxed- u can look up the registration no. online etc
also think there’s a specific period of time a vehicle can b parked in a particular spot? Could be worth getting your Surveyor to look into this?

The sign says no overnight vehicles can stay there

OP posts:
Catwalking · 04/09/2025 15:41

Whatinthedoopla · 04/09/2025 15:30

The sign says no overnight vehicles can stay there

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Perfect. You’ll be able to contact the authority which posted the sign.
I’d be doing so asap… start how you mean to go on. 👍😊

Northquit · 04/09/2025 16:04

Does Alan Bennett live nearby?

GAJLY · 04/09/2025 16:53

Whatinthedoopla · 04/09/2025 15:30

The sign says no overnight vehicles can stay there

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Take a photo and send it to them. See if you can move them on.

NoisyMoose · 04/09/2025 18:07

Maybe they have made up a whole life in their heads for the strange person who keeps driving past and staring at them, plus they were there first

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 04/09/2025 19:11

NoisyMoose · 04/09/2025 18:07

Maybe they have made up a whole life in their heads for the strange person who keeps driving past and staring at them, plus they were there first

They were not there first, they have only been there for about a week

OP posts:
LeticiaMorales · 04/09/2025 19:17

Do you check on them every day?

Waterweight · 04/09/2025 19:29

Whatinthedoopla · 04/09/2025 11:47

Exactly!

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Presumably there's shops/public bathrooms in the town + they might have gym memberships or know of public pools with showers

deckchairmayhem · 04/09/2025 20:15

Go with your gut Op, about the house purvhase. Don't be gas lit by ignorant harpies on MN.
Yes, anti-social behaviour does exist, drugs, alcohol.
Figure out if they are indeed vanlifers. If you ve ever seen YouTube videos about vanlifers they are always discreet people, and no bother whatsoever. Anyone who's parked up for weeks isn't prioritising discretion.
As some people have said go and have a friendly word with them, and you might even discover they are pleasant.

ItsNotYou852 · 04/09/2025 21:53

This
Maybe just go knock on the door, introduce yourself as the new neighbour, ask if they live there full time, are there any problems that stem from any use of the car park?
You might find they are moving on soon, or it might turn into a beneficial relationship, who knows?
You won't unless you try!

NoKidsSendDogs · 05/09/2025 01:02

crackofdoom · 03/09/2025 21:24

What should you do?

Count yourself lucky that you are able to afford a secure roof over your head, unlike the hundreds of thousands of people in this country who can't.

That's what you should do.

Oh get off it

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 05:40

I went yesterday and got their license plate number, and they do have it taxed and MOT.

I will email the local council today and see what they say

OP posts:
genic75 · 05/09/2025 06:09

They might have chosen that lifestyle. Many people do. And just because they live in a van, doesn’t mean they are going to do anything wrong!
you could just go and say hello to them!

GAJLY · 05/09/2025 07:18

I can't understand all the people saying, they've chosen that lifestyle! It's acting homeless outside someone's house! I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't want it in front of their house!

REDB99 · 05/09/2025 08:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I have no idea but the OP hasn’t suggested they’re pissing or shitting in her garden or the car park so I’m not sure why your question is relevant?

upseedaisee · 05/09/2025 08:54

REDB99 · 05/09/2025 08:20

I have no idea but the OP hasn’t suggested they’re pissing or shitting in her garden or the car park so I’m not sure why your question is relevant?

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It's very relelvent when you don't know! They may not be 'shitting and pissing' in OP's garden, who know perhaps they are, but it has to go somewhere, so I'm sure it's ending up someplace in the public domain causing a health hazard.

MissMoneyFairy · 05/09/2025 10:38

Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 05:40

I went yesterday and got their license plate number, and they do have it taxed and MOT.

I will email the local council today and see what they say

How far along are you in buying the house, have you exchanged yet. What will you do if the council and police take no action, have you spoken to your conveyancer yet.

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 10:46

MissMoneyFairy · 05/09/2025 10:38

How far along are you in buying the house, have you exchanged yet. What will you do if the council and police take no action, have you spoken to your conveyancer yet.

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I've contacted 4 different people this morning about them, including the police. 3 of them have said it's not them, so waiting on the last one to see what they will do. Police said it's the council, council said it's someone else etc

OP posts:
SeaAndStars · 05/09/2025 11:21

Living opposite the car park is going to be hard work for you isn't it OP.

MissMoneyFairy · 05/09/2025 11:25

Whatinthedoopla · 05/09/2025 10:46

I've contacted 4 different people this morning about them, including the police. 3 of them have said it's not them, so waiting on the last one to see what they will do. Police said it's the council, council said it's someone else etc

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Have you exchanged contracts yet.