New neighbour asked to "use" my drive.

Perhaps you had not read the part where I explained that new neighbour rang the bell while I was in bed, and I told her that she had just woken me up! The appropriate response is to apologise and leave. Instead she began babbling on about her bloody cars which is why I was short with her and told her that I see people by appointment only and to come back next day.

It was good of me to allocate time out of running my business to see her. I am not a charity.

Had the situations been reversed I would have felt embarassed at disturbing someone at an inconvenient time and left at once without mentioning the drive. I would put a note through the door with my number asking when it would be convenient for me to call and discuss something.

There is such an air of entitlement in behaving as though someone's drive or garden is part of the community resources and there for other people to use.

When you approach someone you do not know for a favour an air of humility is a better tactic. My grandmother used to say that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Well done you!

I am glad I am not a neighbour. I fully understand the principle behind the response but not the tone. Maybe a 'No' would had sufficed with an 'I'm not really happy with such an arrangement as there would be insurance issues'. More neighbourly?

Well done! Some people are very entitled aren't they?

A no from me too. Would you really want to look out of your windows on to someone else car or van? How rude to ask and definitely getting off on the wrong foot with your neighbours!!And you use it!

But then I live somewhere where we happily lend the neighbours hedge-clippers, flexes, chain-saws or standing room for vehicles for a couple of days. Anything longer would probably require a more formal agreement, so I am not criticising OP for mentioning this aspect - just surprised it was her initial reacton.

So do we, grandtante, thank goodness. I might have said "can I think about this" then a few days later say I'd made further enquiries and explained the legalities involved.

I still don't know the implications of allowing a neighbour to park short-term on a drive? Would we be liable if a branch fell on their car? We do have insurance.
Eg up to three months?

She's allowed to ask. You could have said no is a less complicated way!

My uncle let's someone park a classic car on his drive, FOC. It can cause difficulties, as it is quite wide and you have to shuffle round it to get in or out. My uncle is anything for a quiet life sadly.

Fantastic response to an impudent neighbour.

Any neighbour who called here wouldn't be asked to make an appointment before I would see them, maybe that's the difference between city and town/village living.

I can't really agree that the original enquiry from the neighbour was cheeky.

After all, the person whose drive it was, was obviously not using it, so why not ask if you might?

Being taken aback when the owner of the property mentioned the legal aspect of renting out part of her property, only really shows that her neighbour hadn't realised there could be legal implications, including tax.

However, not having heard the tone of voice or the wording of the enquiry, I cannot be positive it wasn't the impertinence you all seem to think it was.

Like OP's neighbour, I would have been flabbergasted if a polite enquiry as to the possiblitiy of useing something for a couple of days (if that was the original enquiry's time frame) had met with this kind of reply.

But then I live somewhere where we happily lend the neighbours hedge-clippers, flexes, chain-saws or standing room for vehicles for a couple of days. Anything longer would probably require a more formal agreement, so I am not criticising OP for mentioning this aspect - just surprised it was her initial reacton.

We had an arrangement with our NDN at our last house, that we each would park on the other's drive when we or they were on holiday for security. Worked very well and we cut each others hedges, leant tools etc. Trust on both sides as it should be.

Our friend had the same casual attitude from a builder, who was working on three new houses across the road and wanted to dig up friend's garden to lay a sewer pipe. 'I'll put the grass back - won't cause you any problems' he announced. Friend played hard ball for a while, and then settled for the builder providing a new garage, having his house painted, and his garden landscaped.

Nannarose what a lovely neighbour of your late father’s.

Harris27

I’m waiting for this to explode with my sons new house. He has an end of terrace property with his drive being part of next doors. At the moment he doesn’t drive and the guy parks four old cars on both drives. I didn’t want to upset my son when viewing the property and I did say along the lines about this being a problem. He went ahead and bought it anyway but I do wonder about the future.

I wouldn’t touch a house with an owner next door owning more cars than spaces provided. Always going to be a problem. Especially as your son doesn’t so he is going to get walked all over, then perhaps one day he does own a car, he’ll have a fight on his hands for his own driveway.

Smart move biglouis and don't forget about potential oil leaks on your drive..........almost impossible to remove and very unsightly!

Is allowing someone to use it occasionally ok?
Surely a legal agreement needn't be drawn up?

Neighbours (more than one lot) have asked if they can use our drive when they have had workmen parking on their drives or when they had visitors staying.

They would do favours for us if we asked.

It might be useful if they will do something for you in exchange like mow the lawn or take you to the supermarket.

Germanshepherdsmum

I was a solicitor Chrissyoh.

Ah - I see - thanks for the reply .?

Well said op

Can’t be arsed trying to let people know how clever I am

Its not just a case of letting people know how "clever" you are but rather of reminding them that there are legal and insurance issues involved in renting out part of your property to random people. Apart from all that has been mentioned what about possible capital gains and planning issues? Could this be construed as creating a legal "right" or precedent?

Clearly this young woman (she appeared to be about late 20s) had not even considered these aspects. It is as well that she now does consider them for her own sake, as well as that of whichever individual she manages to palm off her extra vehicle on. I have really done her a favour!

Its significant that the sites which allow you to rent out your drive via an app state that they are not responsible for legal aspects/damage/insurance and so on. They steer clear.

@Germanshepherdsmum (who used to be a solicitor,) has pointed out that these kinds of situations can be a legal minefield. Situations involving property are best handled by formal contracts which specify the rights and duties of each party. That legal work has to be paid for and does not come cheap.

The housekeeper for my in-laws house asked if her son could park his car in the drive as he didn't make much money workwise and parking in the area was expensive. We said yes as the house was unoccupied (inlaws had died) and the arrangement was mutually beneficial. The only criteria was when we or friends or the Estate Agent wanted to visit. All went well until we turned up unexpectedly and found out that another 2 cars parked by his friends were there. Words were said.. It didn't happen again and our housekeeper was very embarrassed.

I can understand fully why you have mentioned about renting the space to her, and think it's not a bad idea tbh.
I don't suppose that she has thought beyond finding somewhere to park her car. I mean, what about insurance for starters as you said about possible damage to your property/ wear and tear on the driveway etc.
Also, if at any point in the future and she decides to get an Evo car, will she be expecting you to provide a charging point for it ?

I would have just said no, that wouldn’t work for me.
Can’t be arsed trying to let people know how clever I am.

And something properly documented. These informal arrangements are a lawyer’s delight when they go belly up.