So worried about neighbours asking for this contribution, is it reasonable?!

[PropertyStrsbsl]

I’m obligated to contribute to a shared unadopted road on our cul de sac of three houses. For the last few months we’ve talked about re surfacing it with tarmac as it’s got a few small potholes. I’ve just lost my job and my partner has left. I’m in a horrendous financial situation. I could possibly find 5k. They have got a quote for what seems like a lot for the whole thing and it’s around 3.5 metres wide and 150 metres long. I’ve no idea what’s reasonable? It’s in the comvyebance that I have to contribute and I want to anyway, I’m just so worried about this so much and don’t know what my rights are or what sort of cost I should expect.

Sorry it’s 55 metres long not 150!

I'd gently say I'd like to get another quote to compare, and it's something you'll do as your share towards sorting it? Does your partner equally own the property you're in? If so, they'll be jointly responsible for the property's third.

Just say you can't afford it at this time and do not concent to the work being completed.

@ifonly4 no he doesn’t it’s on me. I just don’t think I can say no if it’s in the conveyance?

Yes, you are not being difficult you just can’t afford it, it’s surprising what a relief it is to just say this to people - the vast majority of them will also have needed to say this at some stage in their lives.

Well - the group of neighbours should get at least 3 separate quotes for the work, so at least you will be able to see if they are all around the same level.

Could you suggest just repairing the potholes, rather than a complete re-surface?

You need to be upfront with the other neighbours and explain your position.

Are you legally obliged to contribute? If so then I would assume you can't just say that you can't afford it. What I would say is that you don't want to retarmac the whole road, just fill the pot holes.

Do you have a pot of money that you all pay into for the private road? Better to save towards it I think? Can they force you into paying? Say that you can't afford it your partner has left and you have been made redundant; don't make up an excuse, be honest and hopefully they will be compassionate

Will it look awful if the holes get filled instead?

Stressful for you during an already difficult time
Sending love x

What is the quote?

@AriettyHomily its 34k between us

Tarmac is really expensive, which is why a lot of private roads are not tarmac-ed. What is the road surface currently?

You might be obliged to do it but surely you don't have to jump just because someone else has decided you should. What are the conditions under which a decision is made?

I just had a quick google and £130/meter Squared is the high end price for a new private tarmac road according to trust a trader (about £105 is the low end)

Your drive is about 200m2 - so about £26k

The article is from March and costs will have gone up, but even if you're in an expensive area and cost have gone up 15% it's still under £30k

So £34 seems a bit expensive. Admittedly it difficult to say as there's could be some kind of work needed we don't know about, but it defiantly supports the case for getting more prices

I don't think you can say you can't afford it of you're obliged to contribute, although thereunto be a mechanism for agreed what exactly needs doing?

You can (and should) insist on more quotes, although that is a lot more work than it sounds and it would be reasonable to expect that you do your share of the legwork.

You do have to be very careful with contractors and I think for tarmac more than most. I wouldn't necessarily go with the cheapest anyway. You need someone reputable whose previous work you can see/speak to the customer.

Tarmac is ridiculously expensive. I've been getting quotes for my mum's drive. Apparently it's because of oil prices !

Can you look at alternatives to tarmac ? Or at least be honest. Explain your situation

That's a lot! They need to get they quotes as a minimum.

Is there no sinking fund arrangement?

I would just be honest and say you can’t afford it.
If it’s just a few small potholes everyone will just have to drive round them.. I assume that’s what happens now?

You might be obliged to contribute but does it have to absolutely, legally and or contractually be done now?

or is it a case of it’s been talked about for a while and someone has done something about getting a quote?

i would be honest and say you can’t afford that right now. Surely your neighbours don’t just have £10k burning a whole in each of their pockets just waiting for the day they can spend it on tarmac?

i would say you will have to wait until at least this time next year to be able to afford to contribute to this abs in the mean time pot holes will have to filled in.

What does your conveyance actually say? Presumably it says you are obliged to contribute to the upkeep of the road surface, not that you are obliged to pay towards having it completely (re?)tarmacked?

If you can't afford the latter, be honest with your neighbours, and suggest just repairing potholes for the time being.

I used to live on an unadopted road and we had a fund for major repairs. We all contributed an annual amount to the fund and we only re-tarmacked when there was enough in the fund.

Did you already post about this recently? I swear I’ve read this OP in the last 3 weeks.

I would be honest, say you are really stretched financially so cannot afford 1/3 of the retarmac this year. Could it be repaired and save towards fully resurfacing in 3-5 years time

Just tell the truth. Ask if they can reschedule it for next year, when you're in a better position.

Can't the pot holes just be filled in?