Shared driveway cost dispute

dream888

MysteryMe said:

Remember you are living next door to this person so it is up to you how pleasant you want relations to be.  I think you need to be open to the possibility that is was a genuine misunderstanding due to language barrier rather than just assume it's all very sinister and dodgy. 

 

Good point.

dream888

ThisIsWeird said:

dream888 said:

The work has been done nicely and the shared driveway does look lovely, definitely an improvement. I must also add that he repaired our fence for free (without asking us) so paying half might not be a bad thing it’s just the principle of how he went about it and made us believe he was going to cover the cost! 

Do you have to pay? No, because it wasn't required, and it wasn't agreed beforehand. What if the shared area was in poor condition? Then likely yes - your deeds suggest you do need to contribute a fair proportion to its upkeep. But, of course, that should have been agreed beforehand. So, not a good move by your neighb.

On the basis, however, that you accept that it's a good job, it's decent quality, looks good, and was a reasonable price, then I'd personally be tempted to pay - whilst making it clear that such decisions must be agreed in future. Nothing else is 'shared', no?!

Had it been a poor job and/or unreasonable price, then 'non'. And there's nothing they could have done about it - including using it as his own; nip that misconception in t'bud, should it be inferred again. The deeds dictate.

No, nothing else is shared. Thanks; we will probably pay half but have definitely learnt the hard way to get everything agreed in writing now, and to communicate better in future. 

theoretica

But has he learnt to get everything in writing - or that asking afterwards works?  I wonder if it might be worth writing up in plain English that any future shared costs will be agreed in writing and both get a signed copy of it.

LightFlare

My worry would be as to why they chose to have it redone.

Watch out for the shared driveway being no longer shared

ThisIsWeird

Dream888 appears to be more wary now

As far as we know, this could have been a communication error, or it could have been the neighbour's initial intention was to cover the cost of the shared bit, too, but got an earful from family and friends for being soft. Or, I guess it could have been a scheming ploy all along - but let's hope not. We don't know.

The good news is that Dream can afford this, recognises it's an improvement, and is magnanimous enough to accept it and not be churlish on some misguided 'principle'.

Dream will have the opportunity to have a wee chat as they pay, so that would be the time to make future arrangements clear. On that note, what form have your comms been in? You should evidence that you've handed over a payment for this 'shared' drive area. Unambiguous.

Afterwards, keep a close eye on things!

Dream, does this make it more tricky to know where the boundaries are between the neighb's drive, the shared bit, and yours? Can you determine - right now - where these boundaries are? Do you have plenty of photos that include fixed, immovable points that can be used for reference? Do you have measurements?

Protect yourself!

And, if you don't already have this, add solid Legal Protection to your house insurance. Guard against any future issues. £25 well spent.

Albermarle

As far as we know, this could have been a communication error, or it could have been the neighbour's initial intention was to cover the cost of the shred bit, too, but got an earful from family and friends for being soft. Or, I guess it could have been a scheming ploy all along - but let's hope not. We don't know.

Or the neighbour understimated the cost, when first saying they would pay for it. 

Slinky

I would also ask to have a copy of the invoice 'for your records'.  Has he actually paid the invoice yet? (Check with the contractor). If not would it be better to pay the money to the contractor instead of your neighbour? 

Worst case scenario, neighbour doesn't pay the invoice, keeps your money, contractor gets arsey and sends a digger round to wreck the drive that's not been paid for.

Most likely won't happen, but not beyond the bounds of possibility.

BonaDea

Slinky said:

I would also ask to have a copy of the invoice 'for your records'.  Has he actually paid the invoice yet? (Check with the contractor). If not would it be better to pay the money to the contractor instead of your neighbour? 

Worst case scenario, neighbour doesn't pay the invoice, keeps your money, contractor gets arsey and sends a digger round to wreck the drive that's not been paid for.

Most likely won't happen, but not beyond the bounds of possibility.

Or, it cost less than he's claiming.

koalakoala

I wouldn’t be paying, not without having had a say in what was to be done, or by whom

ThisIsWeird

koalakoala said:

I wouldn’t be paying, not without having had a say in what was to be done, or by whom

So, you won't pay, not at all, nooooo-waaayyysee pal, nopie nopie, just because the neighbour didn't consult with you first?