Shared Driveway Question

Giuseppe246

Hi,

I live in a semi-detached house with my own driveway which can fit 2 cars max.
Between my house and my next door neighbor there is the standard semi-detached 'space' which leads to both rear houses. This is shared land where we both can use to for example park our cars.

To extend my driveway I wish to purchase the shared land between the two houses.
So in theory, I would purchase the shared land remove the fence that separates the shared land to my driveway and use this space as my extended driveway which would then fit 4+ cars.

Does anyone know how I would go around doing this? Would I need to do something legally?

goodwithsaving

If it's shared, how would your neighbours then get on their drive? Do they use the land? Have you mentioned your thoughts to them?

Giuseppe246

Hi,

Currently the neighbor doesn't have a drive but a front garden.
Our houses are not linked at all. My current driveway isn't linked to the neighbors.

The layout at the moment is that the 2 houses are separated by a 2 fences and between those 2 fences there is essentially unused free land which is shared also known as a shared drive/area. The intended purpose of this land for example is that you would drive your car into the shared land then into the back of the house which is the garden.

The land is like a shared passage that leads to both back houses.

I haven't mentioned this to the neighbor because they are not very easy to talk to.

Any thoughts?

davidmcn

Yes, you'll need to do it legally which will (probably) require both of you to instruct solicitors. If neighbours have a mortgage they'll need the consent of their lender to dispose of the land. They'll probably expect you to meet their costs.

But pointless to consider the technicalities further until you speak to the neighbours about the idea!

Giuseppe246

Thank you

For example, if the neighbor's house becomes vacant and goes up for sale would I have to negotiate with the new owners?

Jhoney_2

Giuseppe246 wrote: »

Thank you

For example, if the neighbor's house becomes vacant and goes up for sale would I have to negotiate with the new owners?

Presumably yes, it has shared access with the neighbouring property - not the neighbour.

Giuseppe246

Do you know how much roughly speaking it would cost to buy them out?

Anyone had past experience. Just looking for estimated figure

Jhoney_2

Will it be denying access to a garage at the back? Is it in a desirable area/street or not? Will the owner be willing? How much do you want it?

Too many factors to consider and many are subjective. No experience though, sorry.

silvercar

I can't see your neighbour's mortgage lender agreeing to this, it reduces the value and the desirability of the property.

Have any neighbours along the street done this?

Giuseppe246

There is a property who has done it down the road.

Probably be best to ask them?

dollar39

4+ cars is a lot for a private house is it not?