Shared driveway maintenance

[ChickenRacer]

Hi,

We have right of way over the driveway/track that is owned by our neighbours. In our deeds we are responsible for paying 1/4 of costs to maintain/repair this driveway.

We have just been contacted by the owners of the lane asking for money towards some repairs.

I have two questions:

1. I asked to see an invoice but they said that they didn't get one. They don't seem to think they need to provide me with one. Am I being unreasonable asking for a copy of the contractor invoice before paying? Or, as I feel, is it not my right to see this?

1. I've asked in future if they could consult prior to works, so we can agree in costs/what work is to be done etc. Again, neighbour seems to think this is unreasonable. So, surely if I'm expected to pays one costs I should have a say in what is done/how much we spend etc?

Thank you!

I think asking to see an invoice is reasonable. You can't agree to pay a quarter of x unless you know what x is, and that requires an invoice

Although you have to pay an quarter, I don't think you can decide what the budget is, as your neighbours /the owners will not want to be paying over the odds either.

I guess I feel that we should have an opportunity to agree what is done/how much incase they have a different opinion on what reasonably needs doing. And to make sure we can afford it too! Before job is actually done.

Silly example to illustrate my point, but what if they decided to use gold to repair the track!

I would ask to see the quote, what work is planned, and when the work will start.

We own the drive our NDNs have a right of access over. Our title registers explicitly state we are jointly responsible for maintenance. There's no way we wouldn't discuss and agree work, quotes, etc beforehand.

I agree that you need to see the invoice for the work, and to be consulted in future. I do think you should have a say in what is done; you would need to know, for example, if they were planning to re-surface the whole lot, or repair it.

That's the thing, the work has already been done - the first we knew about it when arrived home to find contractor doing the job!

Apparently no quote or invoice as wanted to pay cash to avoid VAT, which I'm not comfortable with.

Cash in hand job, no proof of what was done, is there any guarantee on the work, I would speak to the other neighbours who all have to pay 1/4 and see what they think, how much are you being asked to pay, I would be seriously annoyed and concerned about what they have done. What proof have you got about how much it cost.

I'd ask them for proof of the cost before you'll pay - at the very least there should be a cash withdrawal from the bank I would have thought. Let them know you are not happy with the way they've gone about things, but you will pay your fair share on this occasion in order to keep relations amicable. Tell them you won't be put in this position again though.

Thanks everyone, it's hard to not doubt yourself in these kind of circumstances!

Yes, going to agree to pay this time but in future want to be consulted. Got suspicion they still won't be happy.

When I'd pushed for the invoice they got a bit funny and said if we don't pay it will be sorted out when/if we sell our house - have no idea what that means? Is it a threat?

We just want a peaceful life!

My DF has similar set up. All work is discussed and agreed in advance (v long gravel drive and some years they don’t do it as regularly) and they get a number of quotes which are shared and discussed then it is agreed for the work to be carried out which all sounds perfectly reasonable.

Your neighbour is the one being unreasonable.