Tiny bit of council owned land at front of my house

KaratePigeon

(Image removed by Forum Team)

This is my house (on the left, it's a semi). I didn't realise until speaking with a neighbour but the little patch of land with bushes on it isn't actually within our boundary on the deeds. In reality everyone does their own thing with it, some are planted up, some gravelled with pots etc. Never been an issue. Houses were built about 30-40 years ago. Why would it have been kept as not our land? I assume the council own it?

I'd really like to make half of it part of our driveway as currently you can't fit 2 cars on it without one blocking the other in. If I ask the council are they likely to agree? Should I just chuck some slabs on it that can be pulled up if they question it (unlikely)? i'd keep a bit for greenery (massive green area over the road so it's not a concrete jungle!)

Baldytyke88

I cannot see any detail because the photo is very small, maybe gravel would work better than paving slabs?

I don't think the council would allow official ownership, but it's great if you are all looking after it by planting bushes.

Your neighbours might not be happy if you go too far? If they are looking after it too

la531983

The image has been removed. Not sure why.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81881230#Comment_81881230

Presumably there was concern that the OP's address could be worked out using the image… didnt see the image to see how distinctive the house is or if the street name was in shot or something.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81881230#Comment_81881230

Presume due to the forum rules ( which are there for your security)

Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. 

inthedepthsofthesea

Have a search for adverse possession. Our neighbours looked after a small triangle of council land for 10 or 12 years as part of their garden and were able to take possession of it eventually. We were supportive as it looked much nicer planted with flowers, rather than just grass.

KaratePigeon

It was a satellite image of my house, but cropped to just the house and driveway so thought it was indistinguishable enough but maybe not. Anyway, tried to draw an image of it. The green area is about 8ft x 3ft so not big. We 'look after' half each but it's mostly bushes that don't look that nice and a pain to keep trimming back so they don't go over the pavement (I'm saving the council a job!)

I think if I did it the neighbours would be supportive (and probably do the same thing) - people sometimes park on the street as although the drives are big enough for 2 cars, one needs to go sideways which isn't practical as it gets blocked in by the other. Gravel would be fine as long as you can drive over it.

I think adverse possession would probably apply as I doubt the council even know it isn't owned by the home owners by now. But is that a lot of hassle/expense? Just wondering whether it's better to ask and get it agreed properly but risk them saying no, or just doing it (99% sure they won't notice/care).

KaratePigeon

Also I can't do it myself really (maybe put gravel down but would need some kind of support under it) so I'd be paying a tradesperson, would they check?

Brie

You need to get permission from the council for a dropped kerb so I'd start there.

YBR

So this is allow you to park two cars in parallel: || rather than perpendicular thus |- ? by removing some bushes etc. Tradespeople would not normally check, IMO.

My Father inherited a house/property where a strip if land parallel to the road was owned by the council - he didn't know that until decades later when he sold it and the buyer's solicitor picked it up. In this case the house was on a small country road and the council had purchased the strips from properties so that they could widen the road (which decades later has not been done). Another option, usually for more modern housing, is that it still belongs to the developer and there was some kind of gap in the conveyancing. I'd say don't assume the strip belongs to the council, nor that your property deeds mirror those of your neighbour, if you need to, check.

It may be better to go ahead and apologise if need be, than to seek permission.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81881325#Comment_81881325

The top surface is less of an issue than what is underneath. Cars are pretty heavy and driveways need a good depth of substrate. If not done properly then you will have problems.