Liability for public using land included within our property

[Lcy]

We are about to buy a house in a small village that has a pavement and layby included in the title deeds. It is not obvious that it is private and neighbours have parked freely in the layby for decades. Also everyone in the village uses the pavement as it is the only pavement on the road. I have no inclination to stop people parking or walking on what is officially our land (especially as there is a serious lack of parking in the village and the pavement runs between the post office and the park and keeps children safe from cars). However I am very concerned about the very slim chance of being sued it someone trips or their car is damaged.

I have asked the council wherever they would consider adopting this land from us but in the mean time what insurance cover can I get?

Many thanks in advance!

Check with your local council to ensure they havent already adopted the land in question. Our pavement and half the road was part of the price when the houses were built but then the council adopted them after a few years. Have no idea if the deeds were altered or the land registry altered.

Check with your current house insurance what the position is if this land is yours. Usually land surrounding a property and 'owned' by the homeowner is covered if it is stated in the insurance policy.

Its very unusual for a householder to own pavements. How confusing for you.

Thanks so much for the reply.

Unfortunately we have checked with the council and it is definitely ours. The house is an old police station and this lay by was the parking for it. When the council sold it they did not remove the parking and pavement from the deeds. We are still waiting to hear if they will adopt it.

I will phone my insurer to see what they say.