Neighbours Right of Access to Maintain their Property

Spikeygran

It might be an idea to check your deeds, maybe take some advice to see what has or has not been agreed legally and go from there.  You need to know where you stand, and whether your solicitor missed something or forgot to inform you. Is it OK to give them permission to access their garden (as opposed to essential house maintenance) does that give them rights to do so after a time??  Some houses were built with a joint driveway, usually not wide enough for 2 car widths though,  just giving access to the garages built in the back garden.  I had old neighbours in that situation and neither side was allowed to extend onto the drive.

Its not your fault they built an extension and didn't provide themselves another access. I'm surprised their planning didn't insist on another access ie a smaller extension with a side path?

The trouble is peoples standards are different, and allowing access to some will never be a problem, others will take the micky constantly, maybe not deliberately, but their idea of permission and what is acceptable is different from yours.  Your yes to one occasion may be taken as OK at any time for any reason by them. To be honest I'd be inwardly fuming if I came home to find mud trailed down my drive. Even if it turns out they have legal access, they should have put a groundsheet down over the bit of your drive they were using,  so they could clean up completely and not inconvenience you at all. 

stuhse

When you talk about putting a fence up with a locked gate...whats the purpose of the gate ? where will it lead ?

newsgroupmonkey_

Northernsoul123 said:

Thanks for your replies.
Yes it is our drive.
I was under the impression solicitors should inform you of anything which might impact your decision on whether or not to purchase a property.
In all of the houses I have ever lived in (10 or so) I have never once had a neighbour want to access my land for any reason - guess I have just been lucky then if it is so normal! Wouldn't you expect them to at least ask first? As I say, that's not really the only problem; they are using the drive as if it is their own. The locked front gate is a good idea but would make it difficult for other visitors/couriers etc.
A fence will be going up to block off the garden.

It's very weird and un-neighbourly.

My neighbour uses our drive all the time to get access. They often pop round, but we have told them they're welcome to use the drive if we're not here. We're even detached. But it's much easier for them to use our drive.

sheramber

Why don’t you have a friendly chat either your neighbour and explain you thought the use of your drive was only while they could not walk on the new slabs?

She may think she is still within the “temporary”  period that was agreed. 

If they were trying to use it without you knowing  surely they would not have left dirt lying as evidence.

You can politely explain your concern and whether you are prepared to let them carry on using it or not.

That way you avoid any ‘neighbour dispute’ u

MeteredOut

sheramber said:

Why don’t you have a friendly chat either your neighbour and explain you thought the use of your drive was only while they could not walk on the new slabs?

She may think she is still within the “temporary”  period that was agreed. 

If they were trying to use it without you knowing  surely they would not have left dirt lying as evidence.

You can politely explain your concern and whether you are prepared to let them carry on using it or not.

That way you avoid any ‘neighbour dispute’ u

My thoughts exactly. And ask them to kindly tidy up after themselves. Or, more likely, to ask them to tell their builders to tidy up after themselves. Some are better at others at noticing the mess they leave behind.