A choice of two houses...

GDB2222

You really need the titles and the plans of both houses.

BlueVeranda

Looks like the house on the other side (15) has a garage, but maybe the wedge is more favourable in their position.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-127459838-93848736?s=e6161653b38484ec1907deead867c381d6dfd3538d6216a2864297beb1fa99c0#/

Certainly, if 19 chose to put a fence up like the house opposite them has done, you would be unable to park off-road at all.

RHemmings

Nardge said:

GDB2222 said:

House 3 may have a right of way over part of the neighbour's driveway.

Right, and I can find out whether such a Right of Way definitely exists by buying the neighbours house's Title Plan??

I think (but am not sure) that would be in the title register for the neighbouring property. 

Others have already answered your questions. I used Manchester's interface for searching for planning permission to find the information which suggests that the extension was done by satisfying Building Control Regulations and not needing planning approval. I think. I'm still learning about this. 

EDIT: Is the house next door leasehold? 

Nardge

Good morning Forumites!

Many thanks GDB2222, BlueVeranda, and RHemmings for your valued replies.

I have bought both Title Registers and Title Plans for 17 (House 3) and 19 Bowler Street (the latter oddly has both Freehold and Leasehold, as RHemmings noted). The documents are written in a very archaic style, and on balance I can't discern any obvious reference to a 'Right of Way' for No. 17 across No. 19's entrypoint. Would it be permissible for me to upload the documents here lest someone be able to 'decipher' them?

Secondly, I have a viewing for House 3 today! The only reason I wouldn't buy the house is the unresolved issue of whether I'd be able to drive to my patch of off-road parking (potentially building a garage round the side if the gap permits) without provoking conflict with the neighbour.

Assuming I do like House 3 today (I’m yet to visit House 1), at what point should I put an offer on House 3? After this first, a second, or third viewing? Can I put an offer in today with the caveat that I do need to establish the parking situation first?

House 3 is currently priced at £275K. Would you consider this a reasonable price? Neighbouring houses in the vicinity have sold for several tens of thousands less in the last 2-3 years.

Thanking you in advance for your responses!

Kind Regards.

babyblade41

Just remember neighbours change and with that driveway configuration without knowing the full details could cause you so many problems.

You may get a "yes , no problems with driveway access at all". to a change of neighbour who puts a fence up, then you have a problem 

Your solicitor will be checking all ROW etc before you purchase but do make sure any ownership is registered and you check yourself what is what.

For me , it's something I would walk away from 

Slinky

Judging by the weeds in the 'drive' area, I don't think that front area of property 3 is being parked on. Whether that is because they don't have a car, don't want to park on it, or don't have access to park you'll have to establish. 

It would be a no from me.

RHemmings

babyblade41 said:

Just remember neighbours change and with that driveway configuration without knowing the full details could cause you so many problems.

You may get a "yes , no problems with driveway access at all". to a change of neighbour who puts a fence up, then you have a problem 

Your solicitor will be checking all ROW etc before you purchase but do make sure any ownership is registered and you check yourself what is what.

For me , it's something I would walk away from 

This is 100% what I was thinking when I read @Nardge's post. An informal agreement would not bind any later owners of the property. I'm not sure that I would walk away just yet.

BTW: For @Nardge, I'd be happy to PM you an email address and have a look at the title registers. But, I'm not expert in reading them and there are far more knowledgeable people here in this forum. 

Nardge

Dear Forumites,

It transpires there isn't an official 'right of way' enshrined in law for House 3. Attentive to your allied warnings of not buying the property without a guaranteed future access to the driveway, I won't be buying it.

This brings us back therefore to House 1, whose links are reinclosed below. 

Its being sold as "offers over 270K".

I plan to put a provisional offer in today subject to completion of a full satisfactory Survey.

Previous comments regarding the same property have included:

1) "Stuck between a mainline railway and the A6. Garden not exactly large."

2) "No1 is very close to the A6 - for me that'd be far too noisy to have windows open in the good weather."

3) "House one looks to have been renovated on the cheap and appears tired in places. The patio may have to go too; something that large is going to impede natural drainage.  Look at the Astroturf behind: it looks to have been waterlogged for some time.  One must take precautions in Rainy City..." 

4) "House No. 1. has a good sized kitchen diner which I assume is an extension... I see that extension was done under Building Control Regulations, without planning permission. If I read the page right."

5) "House No. 1. Also has some massive trees next door. Which could be a plus or a minus depending on what you think of them."

Earlier this week I myself viewed the property, and there're noticeable cracks in some of the walls together with evidence of damp near the front porch (the wallpaper is peeling off). There may be more going that wasn't immediately apparent. Evidently such things can be put right prior to moving in there.

If anyone has further thoughts or comments to contribute, could elaborate on why "House one looks to have been renovated on the cheap and appears tired in places", or would kindly advise whether they think the asking price of "over 270K" is reasonable or not, I'd be very grateful! 

Thanking you advance,

With Kind Regards.

Links for House 1:

Rightmove link:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86622675#/?channel=RES_BUY

Mellor estate agent link:

https://edwardmellor.co.uk/property-for-sale/10148959/ 

  

Tiglet2

The property seems to have been removed by the agent on rightmove?

Nardge

Tiglet2 said:

The property seems to have been removed by the agent on rightmove?

Yes there's a reason behind that, which is known to me. It won't be altering my prospective offer...