Adequate compensation for allow neighbours access

[IDontLikePinaColadas]

This might be in the wrong topic but I'm hoping someone on MN has had experience with this.

Our neighbour has had planning consent to build an extension right up to the boundary line of our driveway, which is to the rear of our property - a Victorian conversion into four flats. They are asking for permission to use the driveway as access for the building work for 8 weeks (let's face it, it will be longer) including deliveries, screw piling, earth works and SIPS panel erection, which will, in no doubt, also require scaffolding to be erected.

Whilst we, and the other property owners, are actually not against this as a concept, we would be looking at compensation for the disruption caused. My question is has anyone had a similar situation with their neighbours and what financial compensation did you seek for this?

I would just expect them to return everything to its original state. I'd only expect financial compensation if I had to find parking elsewhere.

We would need to park elsewhere, which we would expect them to compensate us for. The problem is our kitchen and office look right out onto the driveway (beautiful view!) and having workmen & deliveries right outside for 8 weeks is going to be really disruptive.

Whatever you ask for get it upfront.. Maybe 1k? Our landlord (so not the same) put scaffolding up one January.. It was festooned with Halloween decs that year.... Fucking eyesore.... Came down mid November..
Twats.

Is it usual to ask for financial compensation for this sort of thing? I've always regarded it as part of the give and take of community life. Unless you have to pay for parking or something?

If it’s going to cost u to park elsewhere them obviously ask for that to be covered

but to ask for money because you are going to have your view interpreted is a bit of a twaty thing to do

And how would compensation change that? 🤷‍♂️

If you have to pay to park elsewhere then obviously make sure you're not out of pocket.

But 8 weeks of building work next door is just one of those things you get over.

Interesting - we've been told by the party wall surveyor to ask for compensation to allow access and to ask for a weekly amount for the disruption. Just curious to see how much others have offered, but clearly £0 is the answer so far.

The party wall surveyor is basically telling you that you can ask, not that you should.

It'd be interesting to know if they'd do the same because their neighbour was having work done for 8 weeks.

I've never heard anything like it to be honest.

I wouldn't be asking for any money. Unless you have to pay for parking elsewhere

Yeah big difference between your neighbour extending their garage and a property developed who will be extracting a significant profit and disrupting your life for several months. So I think it's really sensible to find out the maximum you could ask for - maybe with a free advice session with a local business property solicitor who is used to arguing.

It’s not about the works - they’ve been granted planning permission so there’s no complaint about that - it’s about allowing the 8 weeks worth of access to our property to do the building work so they can put the extension up faster, with trucks going up and down our driveway but clearly we ABU.

My friend charged compensation for scaffolding on her drive. It was a few thousand pounds with a contract about limiting the time and penalty for it being longer than agreed. I don’t know the amount but it sounds worth it to me so you don’t feel resentment.

I would be asking for money too.

People rarely value anything they get for free and are less likely to take it for granted. Also whats the chance that they will return everything to as it was? Builders are notorious for leaving snagging issues for weeks and thats for their paying customers. So you could end up having to do rectification work at your own expense which this payment could cover.
It will be highly disruptive and inconvenient not to be able to park for for 8 weeks and lets face it how many of us know of building works that were completed dead on time, so there more of a chance its going to be longer.
A weekly charge may well hurry things up.

Honestly? I'd tell them they can't use the driveway. Why should you be inconvenienced for their benefit?

Especially with the trucks going up your driveway which could damage it

I think it's fair enough to ask for compensation. Look at it as being rental for the land they're using for the time. How much would one of those park on my drive apps charge for using the drive all that time? Why not use that and tell them it was so much per week. Incentive for finishing quicker too.

Because of where our house is, we've a few times had companies ask if they can use our drive/front garden for a skip. They normally offer £100-£200 per week. It makes life easier for them as it's closer than the road, and easier for us as otherwise we'd have a skip blocking our view of the road getting off the drive.
Normally I say no charge, but can we put a few things in the skip, which they're fine with. They've come round with flowers (and sometimes put money through the letter box) anyway even though I've said not to. That shows you how much it's appreciated - although I have no worries if they didn't.

I'm torn. I'm not sure I'd allow access anyway. It will be a messy nightmare. But fully agree with previous poster who said people don't value anything they get for free.

Or maybe ask for a new driveway surfaced afterwards then!

I would absolutely ask for compensation, it focuses the (their!) minds in moving along at pace. This could drag in for much longer than 8 weeks.
Also check your car insurance policy so you’re covered for wherever you need to park. And that their builders are insured to cover any damage to your property. Literally ask to see the papers.

Be neighbourly. Ive never heard of someone asking for compensation. And i wpuld definitely judge you for asking

Yes it is a pain but next time it may be you asking for cooperation

At a minimum. I would get a contract drawn up regarding leaving your drive as it was initially found (they have to restore it to its original condition if any damage).

And also a time limit of 8 weeks.
You can then review it after 8 weeks if they still require access and if you are willing to allow them access. But you are able to say "no, enough thank you" if you wish.

I would also make sure that there's a financial penalty in there for overrun.

Ask for estimated vehicle movements to give you an idea of disruption and at the very least you need to ensure that your property is reinstated. So it will need surveying and recording before work starts.

Also allow for a deep clean, inside and outside, of your property.

Financial for cost of parking is pretty obvious.

Make sure you photograph before and after to document any damage and insist it's put right.

Also, specificy access is for a specific time periodand any time over that will need to be negotiated at for a price.

Get it in writing with both parties signing the agreement and a witness.

I'm surprised that you're getting so many comments implying you're greedy for asking for compensation.

You'll be getting reduced use from your property for two months, why shouldn't they compensate you for that. It also incentivises them to get the work completed as soon as possible, people don't value what they're getting for free.

Make sure your car insurance is covered for me parking on the road just in case