AIBU/AITA contribution to neighbour’s driveway

[Cathycatcat]

So we have right of way over part of our neighbour’s drive. It is the only access onto our property. As far as I understand, there is no clause in the deeds or legal obligations for us to contribute towards maintenance of the road as it does not belong to us; however, we’re happy to help when we can, like we’ve helped in the past to clear a drain that clogged up with rubble from the (disintegrating) road to help do our neighbourly bit. The road is in very bad condition with many large potholes, and the neighbours are elderly and unable to keep up with the maintenance themselves. They have recently asked us to contribute towards the cost of tarmac saying that their son will fix up the potholes. That’s fine. However, they are also asking for a contribution for his time without saying how much that would be. AIBU for not wanting to contribute towards their son’s time for maintaining their own property? As a child myself, I would be doing these things for free for my elderly parents and not asking for any money. We have said in the past that we’re happy to contribute if they got a professional quote, since we do need to use the road too, but I’m not paying for an unqualified member of their own family to fix their property. I just find the whole thing very strange, but is it just me?

Yanbu

They should get 3 professional quotes for the work, with guarantees and then you work out /negotiate how much you are willing/should contribute.

Their way offers no protection to you other than goodwill...whats to say you pay £1000 for the work and then in 3 months, they say more work is needed ? Or you massively end up overpaying as their son has plucked a price from thim air?

Just say that to them ?
Or ask if hes quilified if no just say i will help towards a professional used only as cant afford to pay again if job not done properly or problems with it later on.

As far as I understand, there is no clause in the deeds or legal obligations for us to contribute towards maintenance of the road as it does not belong to us

I would take the time to confirm this with a solicitor because it’s not always that straightforward. However, YANBU to say you will pay a professional but not their son.

I see where the OP is coming from and I agree with the poster who said to obtain 3 professional quotes and then negotiate a price. As the OP does not own the drive s/he should not expect to pay half of the cost of maintaining it. I would say that one third might be fair. Otherwise OP is contributing to the value of the neighbour's property which they do not own.

When I first moved in here the ND whinged that the dividing fence was HER property. Yet when it began to deteriorate she wanted the LL to contribute half cost of a new one. LL had already paid for a new fence on the other side of the property. LL generously agreed but said she needed official paperwork/VAT invoice in order to claim as a business expense. NDN undertaook to obtain quotes etc and come back for discussion. Instead she got in some cash in hand cowboys who used recycled panels and the result was like something from the third world. Needless to say LL refused to contribute because she had no official receipts to give to her accountant.

An object lesson of what OP is worried about. Not to get unqualified people to do an important job without proof of itemised cost of materials, labour and VAT. Also check whether the person/company doing the job has insurance.

Just tell them as a contribution you will keep it cleared of any snow /leaves and nothing more. Like hell would I be paying anything..

Their drive, their problem.

Just because you have access rights doesnt mean you should pay - neighbourly relations or not.

Fuck that. They will have known this when they bought the house. Tough shit, but I wouldnt be offering up any money at all.

I have access over a farm track. Which is full of potholes. Owners don’t maintain so I buy a bulk bag of type 1 ( stones and concrete dust) and just wheelbarrow it in as and when. Costs sbout £90 for a tonne bag.

Thanks all. It’s not the first time they’ve mentioned contributing to his time, which I why I had to ask whether I’m the one not seeing sense here. I just reiterated that I’d only consider contributing if they use professionals who can provide guarantees for the job. They are going to go ahead with the work anyway and pointedly said “we will pay him ourselves”. A bit of a strange thing to say, but fine by me.