Shared Driveway- Should I say something.... (alternate title, help me not be a b!t($)

[Pennywell_Bay]

@Palm Beach

“We share a driveway with 2 other properties (I will never do this again). Part of the covenance (filed with the county) says we will split the driveway repairs in thirds. No problem.”

Then you have to split the cost of the repairs. I think you are making a big stink and risk alienating a good neighbor. Keeping up with small repairs on a regular basis keeps the big fat ugly repair bills away.

You do need to review the paperwork and abide by it. If you start whining about “use” then you are really really opening up a can of worms and you will never get those wiggly little suckers back in. Do you really want him to start keeping track of your vehicles, size, frequency up and down the driveway, visitors, etc?

You sound like you have a great thing going with all your neighbors, why go and ruin it? Just suck it up as part of the cost of living in the country and keeping the peace. This just does not seem to be a battle you need to create and fight.

1. No big stink is being made.
2. My neighbors, also, have a good thing going. I am a damn good neighbor- watching kids before school, helping dog and cat sit when they are gone, bringing their mail in so their maid doesn’t have to go down the driveway and worry about it when they are away.

• helping maid catch dog when it escaped while they were on vacation

3. If you don’t review paperwork- that’s you. There are OFTEN stipulations in paperwork. Good luck if you don’t read contracts.
4. Having an adult conversation is not whining.
5. When it was discussed with prior owners- it was acknowledged I would only be responsible down to where my driveway comes in, not the additional 500 feet of drive. So it is totally within reason to have the discussion with a new neighbor.

And we are talking hundreds right now. When we had estimates for totally redoing it-(digging it up, new stone etc) estimates were between 8 and 15 K so you damn sure should expect I am going to be involved and have discussion with my neighbors.

Actually- his brother (who runs the electric business now) brought it up when I dropped off the check. " We run up and down about 16 times a day".

Palm Beach- believe it or not- some people are able to ask questions and approach situations without making everything a battle-even if they may need help formulating the words. It is actually possible not be be totally abrasive…I realize this may be a foreign concept to some…

[Pennywell_Bay]

@Kmacht

I have to ask, what type of patching is he doing that cost $1000? That seems a bit outrageous to fix some pot holes. I would suggest setting a price threshold for notifying neighbors before doing any work. That $300 this month could be another $300 next month, $500 the month after, etc all with no control on when or how any of the work gets done.

Keith

Not sure but our driveways are long. Mine from house to street is over 1/4 mile . The total paved portion is 1200 feet or so, my driveway (stone ) comes in about 700 feet down (slightly more than halfway)- guesstimates.

I agree with what you said. Last year he patched parts and didn’t ask for compensation. Since the whole thing has been broached now, his brother chiming in they use the driveway 5 times more than us, it’ll be an easier conversation.

[Palm_Beach]

@Pennywell Bay

5. When it was discussed with prior owners- it was acknowledged I would only be responsible down to where my driveway comes in, not the additional 500 feet of drive. So it is totally within reason to have the discussion with a new neighbor.

What is in the deed and related paperwork will trump anything that was discussed with the prior owners. It should clearly identify how much of the driveway you would be responsible for. We went through this with neighbors of a rental property we own who disputed a parking space we owned and the right of way to the parking space (city property).

[Alpha_Mare]

FWIW when I had a condo the association had a ‘sinking fund’ to anticipate major repairs. So 10% of estimate for new roofing expected to be needed in the next 10 years type of thing. If you think the driveway will hold up for 10 years with this type of use, then maybe not needed.

Other point, if the other guy is deciding on his own what to repair and how much ($) maybe get an agreement on the $ you are comfortable with his committing - e.g. up to $1000 ($330 apiece) - and NOW, before it comes up, decide on how much needs everyone’s WRITTEN agreement. (not BBQ conversation).

Good luck.