New build - shared garage and shared drive

bazazks

Hi,

We have reserved a plot on a large new build project which is a detached 3 bed house that has a garage at the end of the driveway. The garage roof and bricks are a single structure including next doors garage and just separated by a brick wall inside. The driveway is also shared with no clear divide in the middle. We will probably move to a larger house in 4-5 years. How much on an issue will this be for reselling? Thanks 

loubel

It would only be an issue if you get into a dispute with the neighbours.

Is the driveway actually shared or just not fenced off from each other?  If the driveway is shared, as in you have to cross their land to get to your garage, then is there enough space for both houses to park on their own land without blocking the shared bit? That's the biggest cause of grief with shared drives is people parking on them when they shouldn't.

Saying that though, there was a story in the tabloids just recently about a dispute over a non-shared drive (as in just adjacent to each other) where one neighbour put up a big fence down the middle to stop the other from walking on their side and that didn't leave them enough space to get past their own car. So you might want to check the width of the proposed drive even if it isn't actually shared...

Anthony147

Wouldn’t even consider an arrangement like that and probably a lot of older people like myself will see it that way as well.

Think of the market who would buy it - I want a 3 bed house, I’m happy to share a driveway and also happy to share a garage and don’t foresee any maintenance problems causing consternation, access problems with neighbours, visitors or friends / family and happy to assume anyone who I share it with is always going to be reasonable, considerate and of the same outlook of me -

That sounds like something for a young family and financially stretching to buy the property so compromise on the wants (own drive, garage) and there are plenty who may well do so - You’re buying so theres going to be someone else like you just five years behind you.

QrizB

bazazks said:

The garage roof and bricks are a single structure including next doors garage and just separated by a brick wall inside.

Just like a semi-detatched house?

UnderOffer

We had a similar set up at old house. The garage and pitched roof was one structure, with 2 garage up and over doors. The driveway that led to doors was divided with a fence panel, this suited us as it meant no issues with anyone opening car doors and perhaps damaging your vehicle. No problem buying or selling this property and very common in this area. 

However, our neighbour was a car renovating enthusiast so our own garage had times where it smelt very strongly of spray paint chemicals or similar, particularly over the weekends. Was a bit of an issue as we had 2 rabbits that had a cage and run and were put in our garage at night for safety and warmth (always spent the day in garden), so I was worried about the chemicals but they seemed fine and I think I worried unnecessarily. 

One night (before pet ownership) we had a scare when his vintage car caught fire and we had to evacuate the driveway of vehicles.  Fire brigade put out fire, it didn’t spread and you would never have known there was a fire, no issues etc, was just bad luck for him and his hard work. 

user1977

QrizB said:

bazazks said:

The garage roof and bricks are a single structure including next doors garage and just separated by a brick wall inside.

Just like a semi-detatched house?

That would be my interpretation too. I suspect nothing is in fact "shared".

sheramber

We had a shared drive that was only wide enough for one car, so no parking on it. Either had to out car in garage or park on road.

It was never a problem but I suppose that depends on your neighbour.

All the houses in the estate had the same arrangement.

JGB1955

It's common on the Lovells Homes estate where I live -plenty of 'link detached' houses with a shared driveway and double garage.  I've lived here more than 30 years and it doesn't seem to have caused any issues.... the driveways are NOT delineated in our situation, but still no issues.  Similar to this: link detached houses - Bing images

Carrot007

bazazks said:

Hi,

We have reserved a plot on a large new build project which is a detached 3 bed house that has a garage at the end of the driveway. The garage roof and bricks are a single structure including next doors garage and just separated by a brick wall inside. The driveway is also shared with no clear divide in the middle. We will probably move to a larger house in 4-5 years. How much on an issue will this be for reselling? Thanks 

So 2 downsides.

1. Shared drive will cause arguments.

2. New build and everything that entails. (poor quality, charge you loads for extras and then you have to remodel anyway because all they offer is poor, potentially living with building works for years unless you picked the right plot).

And one upside.

1. Fibre internet.

Though around this site many says that is a bad thing due to the cost.

Your choice though.

Owleyes00

Sounds like my house tbh. It’s fine mostly although I am considering some kind of fence running along the boundary to stop neighbours walking in between my car and garage door, rather than walking around the cars 

Gavin83

QrizB said:

bazazks said:

The garage roof and bricks are a single structure including next doors garage and just separated by a brick wall inside.

Just like a semi-detatched house?

Not really. There's a clear difference between a semi-detached house and a link detached house. It's certainly not detached either though.