Ex council house - kerb lowering

gizmomama

Hi,
We purchased an ex council house last year with the original driveway still in place. The deed to the property drawn up by the council show the driveway and say that there is space for one car (actually space for at least two!) .
Anyhow, the curb is not lowered to allow access. Most houses in the street have the curbs lowered, but not ours.
I have written to the council this week to argue my case, but what do you think my chances are for getting this work done free of charge? Also how much does it cost for them to white line the driveway?
Thanks

DNK

Doubt you'll get it done for free as it's now a private house. Whether they would have done if it was still council owned I wouldn't know.
I don't see how you can argue a case; did the others not pay for their dropped kerbs? Are the other houses private or council still?
No one's forcing you to park a cark on the drive and I can see the council seeing it the same way.
In my area, a dropped kerb and white line is around £700ish but it depends on the length and width of the path and kerb to be altered.

jackieb

I can't see you getting it done for nothing. You've really got no case to argue. I know my next door neighbours got done for nothing but that was when the council were resurfacing the pavements anyway. It cost me just over £400 for me to get mine done by a council approved contractor.

dander

Chances of them doing it for free - pretty much no chance at all I'd say. With most councils there's more chance that they'll issue you with a fine for driving over their pavements without having the correct crossing installed.

I think my local council quote standard charges for a dropped curb as between £800 and £2k

bookduck

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-524838/Cars-trapped-illegal-driveways-council-fits-bollards-middle-night.html

mrs_baggins

I used to work for council and processed these dropped kerbs. my council didnt do any free no matter what the circumstances. it may be that you will not be allowed to have one it just depends on factors like if there is street furniture there, if you are really close to a juction and othere things. basically if you can there is a set charge per metre. I used to process loads but cant even think of charges now! speak to your local council and ask them hat their charges are and you will be able to work it out.

savemoney

My local council were sending letters out to residents in one area about not having drop kerbs. TBH I seen some damn right reckless behaviour on the part of some home owners using large blocks of wood on the road permanently attached to the road/kerb so that they can bump up on it.

You have no right to get it free either pay up and have it done or don't, the tax payers shouldn't have to fork out so that you can gain access to your private dwelling nor should it apply to rented accommodation either.

adaze

You won't get it for free. A standard crossing in Kent will cost you around £1200, though depending on the area the price could be between £600 - £2000, even more if its a big area....

adaze

If you see someone contracting for the council or doing the work elsewhere you might be able to get it "cheaper", but I'll leave that decision down to you.

gizmomama

savemoney wrote: »

My local council were sending letters out to residents in one area about not having drop kerbs. TBH I seen some damn right reckless behaviour on the part of some home owners using large blocks of wood on the road permanently attached to the road/kerb so that they can bump up on it.

You have no right to get it free either pay up and have it done or don't, the tax payers shouldn't have to fork out so that you can gain access to your private dwelling nor should it apply to rented accommodation either.

I think people have misunderstood my original post!!! I have not got a homemade driveway as in the article from the daily post. This property was built in the fifties and the driveway wall is the same as the day the house was built complete with the original gates. If the council built the house this way describing the driveway and accessway in the deeds drawn up in 1990 (This is when the couple who had lived here since the property was built purchased it from the council), I can't understand why there is no access to it. The couple have since passed away therefore I am unable to ask them the history but will make enquiries with the neighbours whilst I wait for a reply from my council letter.

As for the quote above, FYI both my husband and I have paid taxes since the age of 16 when we started working for the NHS. In this role we learn not to judge people and their circumstances e.g rent or buy!!! I even understand why most families can't afford the crazy prices the councils charge for doing this work, which is why so many botched jobs are around. We are trying to go about this the right way and was simply trying to assitain if maybe this was an oversight by the council or my solicitor and who to take it back to. I do not want to misuse public money or land which is why my letter went into the council before this was posted. I was just simply testing the water to see if anyone else has been in a situation EXACTLY the same as this and how they delt with it. I do know the normal rules for a homemade driveway on private property!!!!!!

calleyw

gizmomama wrote: »

As for the quote above, FYI both my husband and I have paid taxes since the age of 16 when we started working for the NHS. In this role we learn not to judge people and their circumstances e.g rent or buy!!! I even understand why most families can't afford the crazy prices the councils charge for doing this work, which is why so many botched jobs are around. We are trying to go about this the right way and was simply trying to assitain if maybe this was an oversight by the council or my solicitor and who to take it back to. I do not want to misuse public money or land which is why my letter went into the council before this was posted.

What has paying your taxes or working for the NHS got to do with anything!!!!! We all pay our taxes and some of us get very little back but we don't bang on about it all the time.

People are giving you an honest opinion which you don't seem to like. That they don't believe you will get it for free. Unless where is something in the deeds somewhere it looks like you will have to pay. We paid about £600 about two years ago. But now can't afford the £5K for block paving or £2K to have gravel put down properly.

Personally I am not even sure why you asking this question here as you have already put your letter in just wait and see what they say . And then go from there.

Yours


Calley