Shared Driveway

[Naistacks]

Hi Everyone
My husband and I currently rent a three bed semi with a shared driveway and garage at the back. Unfortunately we can never get access to drive because our neighbour has two cars, one she uses for work and one that has been sat on the drive for 3 yrs also she has a boyfriend who visits quite often and he also uses the drive. Last week for the first time in ages i managed to get on the drive only to be blocked in by her boyfriend (he parked across the driveway which in my book is illegal) she then has the cheek to slag us off for creating problems. Is there anywhere we can go for advice and does she have more rights because she owns her house and we don't? Please help

[Androcles]

First port of call has to be your landlord. It is his house and if you rent the house with the garage you should have access to it, so it is his problem......(as well as yours!)

[buildersmate]

Usually the legal arrangement written into the land title is that either part should be able to get up/down the shared part of the driveway at any time, to be able to park on their own part (and nowhere else). So check with your your landlord. However getting the neighbour to comply with this may be less easy.

[Twenty20]

I would disagree with Androcles. I cant see the landlord getting involved as he cannot control what a neighbour is doing. It would be the same if the neighbour was making a lot of noise, the landlord wouldn't get involved. If it was you making the noise or being complained at for blocking the drive then he would possibly get involved.

Personally, I would be making a nuisance of myself by asking for access to my garage every day, or several times a day, until they get the message. Some people may be under the misapprehension that they have more legal rights than you because they own their property and you rent, but this isnt the case.

[flyciderman]

Twenty20 I think you have it wrong and I agree with Androlcles.

If I was the Landlord I would not want the tenat to be dealing with this type of issue.

[angel-cake]

I would have thought there must be something written that the drive should not be blocked, and only used for access, or something like that. The property owner would know this and although they dont legally have to get involved, it would be in their interest to sort this out so they don't lose a tennant. I would keep pestering your landlord.