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New neighbour asked to "use" my drive.

(86 Posts)
biglouis Mon 09-May-22 17:30:04

I dont drive or own a car and my new opposite neighbour seems to think that for that reason my drive is part of the community. It isnt, because I keep the gates locked. I only open them when expecting a delivery or tradesperson.

She asked if she could "use" it for one of their vehicles which will not fit on their forecourt. Was completely taken aback when I mentioned having my lawyer draw up a contract with a commercial rent, and her having to pay for the ensuing legal work and research. Told her I would need to know all the legal ramifications of having another party "rent" part of my property, and who would be responsible if the vehicle or my property were damaged? So we are talking about a lot of letters to my insurer, etc. My time is not free.

If I really wanted to rent out my drive I would probably use one of those commercial sites who deal with all the formalities and find your customers for you.

Mallin Thu 12-May-22 00:19:39

Like the others, I’m thing Good for You. Reminds me of some years ago when someone knocked on a friends back door, where he lived near the Magic Roundabout, asking if he could use his rear parking place when Swindon Town were playing home matches. Said it would be worth £15 to him each home game. Friend accepted the offer but felt a bit put out when a mini bus turned up the first time. Then not so annoyed when the people inside it turned out to be 4 elderly wheelchair users and their careers.

Ethelwashere1 Thu 12-May-22 08:25:49

I would be ok with the idea if I had the space but at present my car lives there. However in future if I had no car I would let someone use the space. I would expect a small fee but any damage to their car would not be my responsibility. They would need to tell their insurance company also

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 12-May-22 08:43:18

Anyone considering a regular arrangement, please insist on an agreement prepared by a solicitor at the car owner’s expense. There are so many pitfalls.

Pantglas2 Thu 12-May-22 09:53:53

I know someone on our street who’s given up driving and sold his car, agreed to let a neighbour park a car on his drive on a permanent basis.

All went well until the neighbours purchased an American RV and parked that instead of the car... when he complained that his seaview had disappeared, they had the nerve to say “that’s why we don’t park it on our drive”!

JenniferEccles Thu 12-May-22 12:11:04

Thank you very much for all the advice you have given on this topic GSM
I for one certainly wasn’t aware of all the potential pitfalls about this relatively straightforward sounding request about parking.
Much as we might want to be friendly, helpful neighbours, unfortunately people can take advantage so it’s important to be aware of the legal implications involved in something as potentially simple sounding like allowing a neighbour to park on our drive.

There is a saying ‘every day is a school day on Gransnet’ and I think that’s true!

Nannarose Thu 12-May-22 16:19:40

I greatly appreciate the advice that GermanShepherdsMum gives us, but rather like the health advice I occasionally post (less often now!) it is to be considered within one's own context, and acted on as it suits us.

When I made my first 'proper' will, the solicitor advised me not to leave my assets in the way I wished, and she explained why. I thanked her and went off to think carefully about the pitfalls she had pointed out. Then I went back and explained that for a lot of reasons I wanted to stick to my original plan and risk the pitfalls (will never know as I didn't die then!).

I choose to have informal arrangements about parking and a few other things, with folk I know and trust; and apply common sense to the give and take of life in my community. That I don't do as GSM advises in this instance doesn't mean that I don't value the advice she posts here.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 12-May-22 16:21:51

?

biglouis Thu 12-May-22 18:03:37

My drive has a dropped kerb so the neighbour cannot legally park across it.

As a non driver and non car owner I love some of the "parking" threads on mumsnet. Especially when someone finds a random car parked on their drive or designated space and blocks them in. Then cannot move it when asked because they have had a glass of wine!

Callistemon21 Thu 12-May-22 19:15:08

Someone parked just beyond our drive once making it difficult to drive in or out. After two weeks we rang the police who traced the car owner. He'd visited a nearby venue, had several drinks, got a lift home andd couldn't remember where he'd left his car.

effalump Sat 14-May-22 12:13:50

Biglouis. Good for you, I probably would've have said 'yes' but you are exactly right in what you say.