Dreaded Shared Access

Smodlet

Thank you for your refreshingly measured response, OP; that does put things somewhat more into perspective. I think few on here share your enthusiasm for this property but can now understand your reasons for doing so.

All I can suggest is that you visit on different days at different times of day, assuming this is practicable, and try further to judge the feel of the place and its traffic flow, bearing in mind this may increase in the warmer months. Only your own feelings and those of your family can determine whether this is the right house for you. I wish you luck.

Village_Idiot

Smodlet wrote: »

Thank you for your refreshingly measured response, OP; that does put things somewhat more into perspective. I think few on here share your enthusiasm for this property but can now understand your reasons for doing so.

All I can suggest is that you visit on different days at different times of day, assuming this is practicable, and try further to judge the feel of the place and its traffic flow, bearing in mind this may increase in the warmer months. Only your own feelings and those of your family can determine whether this is the right house for you. I wish you luck.

I came here for the help of this forum, and in many respects I think I came to be talked out of this - so far, so good :rotfl:

I've probably lost 2 or 3 nights sleep recently due to this shared driveway, so it's obviously bugging me.

Something I think we're also being guilty of is loving this more because there are no viable alternatives. I'm sick to death of Rightmove & Co, I seem to know of every property within our price range in a 50 mile radius and the list of alternatives can be counted on one hand... one hand that's been partially severed in an accident.

We're really fond of one other property though, it's biggest drawback being simply that it's new and hence lacking the character of the other place. I think we're learning that buying our next home will be a compromise, no matter how patient we are.

Village_Idiot

Doodles wrote: »

Where is the neighbour's front door? if on foot, would they (and any other visitor to their house) walk through the same bit to get to their house as well?

Yes, pedestrians would need to use the same route.

Village_Idiot

Ozzuk wrote: »

Don't do it! So many threads/posts about shared drive issues (admittedly you don't get posts if there are no issues!). I've seen some recently where the neighbour runs some kind of business, one was home physio, another was a paper round business. People walking up and down the drive all times of the day, not something I would want!

And you can't stop them, they often don't need change of use or permission, and unless you have some specific wording in your title you can't restrict access.

Aside from the annoyance aspect, there is also the security aspect.

For a forever home? no chance. Even if the neighbours are awesome and no bother now...neighbours change!

Yep I've read pretty much every horror story that exists on this message board recently. The "paper business" one is particularly similar in setup by the sounds of it, and my biggest concern is not really of the traffic generated by the neighbour directly - but any visitor traffic. Their first interaction would be with MY house, am I going to get a knock on the door for every single visitor/delivery man/etc that doesn't know the layout well enough to let themselves through? Probably

Smodlet

I think, unless you are incredibly fortunate, most house purchases are a compromise even when you design and build yourself. There are always reasons why the kitchen can't be that shape or the lounge quite so big or you name it.

I would be interested to know how you get on, Village_Idiot and wish you the very best on your journey to your forever home.

ETA: Could you set up a toll booth? Yes, I am kidding.

moneyistooshorttomention

Village_Idiot wrote: »

Yep I've read pretty much every horror story that exists on this message board recently. The "paper business" one is particularly similar in setup by the sounds of it, and my biggest concern is not really of the traffic generated by the neighbour directly - but any visitor traffic. Their first interaction would be with MY house, am I going to get a knock on the door for every single visitor/delivery man/etc that doesn't know the layout well enough to let themselves through? Probably

Well the onus would be on your neighbour to explain carefully to their visitors exactly how to get to their house - and not on you.

Yes...I do know how the neighbour would feel about that - as I have to explain carefully where my house is to every single person:( (thankfully not going through anyone else's garden at least) - just driving on an unadopted road that hasn't been signposted properly:cool:

Smodlet

I think Google Earth has its shortcomings. Home made signs, MITSTM? Surely a project for a Blue Peter campaign?

Hmm. Interiors can be given character to an extent. Done tastefully, period-style features do not have to look incongruous. Exteriors are more troublesome, admittedly. Believe you will find the one!

Doodles

Village_Idiot wrote: »

Yes, pedestrians would need to use the same route.

For me, that would be more irritating than cars.

Posties, delivery drivers, visitors - you would never have much privacy.

Wouldn't be for me.

Slinky

I have to deliver occasionally to a house that has 2 others immediately behind it and a similar name to another property in a different street. In their porch they have up a sign saying this house is XX, if you're looking for XY and XZ they are behind this house. If you're looking for XX2 it's down the road on the right hand side. They are obviously fed up of answering the door to the wrong people. I wonder how well the signs work!

DaftyDuck

Village_Idiot wrote: »

I came here for the help of this forum, and in many respects I think I came to be talked out of this - so far, so good :rotfl:

I've probably lost 2 or 3 nights sleep recently due to this shared driveway, so it's obviously bugging me.

Something I think we're also being guilty of is loving this more because there are no viable alternatives. I'm sick to death of Rightmove & Co, I seem to know of every property within our price range in a 50 mile radius and the list of alternatives can be counted on one hand... one hand that's been partially severed in an accident.

We're really fond of one other property though, it's biggest drawback being simply that it's new and hence lacking the character of the other place. I think we're learning that buying our next home will be a compromise, no matter how patient we are.

You've lost a couple of night's sleep over the drive, and you don't even live there! Imagine how much worse when your neighbour changes for one with six cars and two teenage children with mopeds... bbbbbbbrrrrrr... screech.!!!8230;. bbbrrrrrrrrrmmmmm...

The number of threads on here on shared drives ... almost all with insurmountable difficulty... No, I would avoid your particular layout like the plague.

As to other houses... You can add character to a new build. I prefer oldies for character too, but you can add it to a newbuild. There is, however, nothing you can do about that shared drive.

There are many compromises in house buying. Some have a solution in time or effort. The house in question... does not.

Look elsewhere.

Edit: Christ in a handcart... My [STRIKE]ancient cheap tablet [/STRIKE] er.. iPhone X...;) has now been hit by the four-digit curse....:rotfl: