Joint ownership

[Oleanda]

I read somewhere recently on these pages that house deeds no longer exsist. My house is at the end of a gravel track which is jointly owned by 11 households. Most of the other owners show no interest in maintaining this track (for some of then it only leads to their garages which they do not use) Is there any way that I can find out what our obligations are? I am trying to sell my house and this is proving to be a stumbling block.

[zmudge]

If your property is Registered then deeds have been done away with and it is only your Register entry at the Land Registry which counts now. To see this click here and follow the instructions. You need only look at the Register, as the relationship of your property to the gravel track (if any) will be entered there. If you find some words but are not sure what they mean, post them here and I will see if I can unravel. 

[Oleanda]

Thank you Zmudge. Its all a bit complicated,but I have found that my property does not include part-ownership of the track because my house was built at a later date to all the rest. A few of the others were leasehold until last year, when they became freehold, so I guess the owners know about being responsible for the upkeep of the track but no one is inclined to do anything about it, and I am reluctant to make a fuss as I don't fancy having to tell prospective buyers that I've fallen out with the neighbours. I just can't wait to see the back of this place.

[zmudge]

I understand your problem well, Oleanda, and, without going into all the why's and wherefore's, it can become very difficult if not well nigh impossible to make everyone honour any obligation to maintain. You are doing the right thing in selling on as it is.

Best wishes for an early sale, zmudge .