We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Putting a fence up on shared driveway
Options
Cazilou
Posts: 44 Forumite
Hi there,
We have been talking to our neighbours about our shared driveway. Currently we have shared access (single car width) to our garages at the back of our houses which neither of us use for vehicle access. The deeds show the boundary of each property is a line directly down the middle of the driveway so we effectively each own half. We would both like to install a fence across the driveway and a fence down the middle effectively reclaiming the driveway as part of the garden as it is currently unused space.
I am unsure, however, whether we would need to get a contract drawn up to show that we both agree to this fence being installed. How would this effect us if we or our neighbours were to sell the property? We are not planning to sell any time soon so say we sold in 20 years would it not matter by then as the boundary fence has been there a long time so would be effectively permanent? If a new neighbour was to move in would they have the right to shared vehicle access to their garage (the garages will be still standing just not used to house a car) effectively making us take down the fence. We would be keeping the driveway surface within our garden (using as a patio area) so would be easy to remove the fence and return to driveway use on our part if needs be, not sure what the neighbour is planning to do with his half.
Both parties are happy for this to happen it's just a case of making sure we do things properly so that we don't hit problems in the future. Do we need to get a solicitor or is it something we can just do ourselves?
We have been talking to our neighbours about our shared driveway. Currently we have shared access (single car width) to our garages at the back of our houses which neither of us use for vehicle access. The deeds show the boundary of each property is a line directly down the middle of the driveway so we effectively each own half. We would both like to install a fence across the driveway and a fence down the middle effectively reclaiming the driveway as part of the garden as it is currently unused space.
I am unsure, however, whether we would need to get a contract drawn up to show that we both agree to this fence being installed. How would this effect us if we or our neighbours were to sell the property? We are not planning to sell any time soon so say we sold in 20 years would it not matter by then as the boundary fence has been there a long time so would be effectively permanent? If a new neighbour was to move in would they have the right to shared vehicle access to their garage (the garages will be still standing just not used to house a car) effectively making us take down the fence. We would be keeping the driveway surface within our garden (using as a patio area) so would be easy to remove the fence and return to driveway use on our part if needs be, not sure what the neighbour is planning to do with his half.
Both parties are happy for this to happen it's just a case of making sure we do things properly so that we don't hit problems in the future. Do we need to get a solicitor or is it something we can just do ourselves?
0
Comments
-
Check your deeds as your neighbour most likely has access over your side and you his.0
-
Yes, if it's written into the deeds that both sides have access rights, then they would be preserved, so if one of you sold up, the new neighbour could remove the fence.
It would likely cost more to pay solicitors to remove or nullify the shared access than it would to remove the fence if things go wrong.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0 -
If/when you want to sell the house, would you want to sell it as having a driveway and garage? With a blocked (cut in half) drive, you have no driveway and simply a shed. That might affect the value and sellability of your property and similarly for your neighbour.:heartpuls Mrs Marleyboy :heartpuls
MSE: many of the benefits of a helpful family, without disadvantages like having to compete for the tv remote
Proud Parents to an Aut-some son 0 -
It would be best to have a solicitor alter both sets of title documents, but only after clearing your proposal with any lender(s) you may have a mortgage with.
Both parties are happy for this to happen it's just a case of making sure we do things properly so that we don't hit problems in the future. Do we need to get a solicitor or is it something we can just do ourselves?
While you might be happy, they have an interest too and might not be!0 -
You could Hedge your bets?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177K Life & Family
- 257.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards