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Original poster

Out of the blue £1,000 bill from our neighbours!

223 replies

MamaVikki · 25/09/2022 19:11

Help! I’m stunned… My neighbour knocked on the door on a Monday to say that they’d organised for our road to be tarmacked on that Wednesday at a cost of £8K between 8 houses. A year ago they’d muttered something about the road needing to be tarmacked but that was that. We’ve had no discussion since. They then bizarrely said that they would pay for it and whoever wants to chip in can chip in. We don’t have a spare £1k sitting around and if there’d been a discussion about it we would’ve wanted more time to try and save for it – but would’ve also liked to have looked into all the options (like patching the potholes maybe?) We have no idea if they even compared quotes. The work has now been done. They ended up only tarmacking the part in front of their house, although we drive over this to access our house. They’ve come round with the bill – which we need to pay into their bank account – in a fairly aggressive manner but still saying it’s up to us if we pay -? I’m upset and confused and have no idea where we stand with this? Can anyone offer any advice?! 🙏

OP posts:
bluesapphire48 · 26/09/2022 20:48

Talk to a lawyer. I don't think you are under any obligation to pay: you made no written agreement and you weren't consulted about it clearly to begin with, nor were you involved in planning where the road would be upgraded. If they had wanted you to share the expenses, they would have included tarmacking the road to YOUR house as well as their own. Since they didn't, they are really pretty selfish and just want you to pay for THEIR road.
You say you have to drive over it to get to your house. Does driving ONTO the tarmacked road, or driving OFF it cause any wear and tear to your tires? If you, THEY should compensate YOU for that.

PeachyPeachTrees · 26/09/2022 20:57

Politely ask them to put it in writing. What work was done, what was agreed beforehand and whether there is any liability. They need to show they followed the rules and you are liable to pay part of the cost before you can even consider paying a penny. Speak to all your other neighbours too. If you do have to pay, then agree a monthly payment plan as finding £1000 at short notice is not possible.

MigsandTiggs · 26/09/2022 21:03

MugginsOverEre · 26/09/2022 20:18

Another sensible post. Everyone telling OP she doesn't have to pay have no idea what her obligations are. Property law is complex. And expensive to get into a fight about.

@KikoLemons there's not a chance in this world that any property law concerning a joint road between 8 owners gives one property sole rights to employ any company to do work on the jointly owned road without the remaining owners consents and to decide what everyone must each pay.

This in spades.

EntertainingandFactual · 26/09/2022 21:14

Dear Neighbour,
I’m happy for us all to get together to discuss getting the rest of the road done. I can see you’ve paid for the area at the front of your house already. Maybe, between us, we can find a more cost effective way of completing the job.
Let me know if this is something you want to consider/ organise.
Cheers CF,
MamaVikki

LoisLane66 · 26/09/2022 21:14

They offered you an out. Take it. You were not consulted re the price, timing or options. Politely decline. Finis.

Mollymoostoo · 26/09/2022 21:17

johnd2 · 25/09/2022 19:17

Just make a counter offer for what you are prepared to pay. And let them know when you can pay eg instalments. No point falling out over it but try to negotiate a solution you are happy with.

Why should they pay for a bit of road in front of someone else's house?

wentworthinmate · 26/09/2022 21:19

I haven’t read all the replies, sorry if cross post.
Ask them if they would have paid if the tarmac was only outside your house. What if everyone now wants ‘their’ patch done. That’s a lot of £1k’s.
Ridiculous and it’s a no from me.

PennineLEC · 26/09/2022 21:21

Legally I don’t think they have any authority to issue this bill and you certainly shouldn’t feel you have to pay it. As mentioned there was no notice given, no paperwork and therefore no agreement on your part. Mentioning that they were going to do it at some point means nothing. Even if it’s a private road and all 8 house are jointly responsible for any maintenance, I’m sure there would need to be something in writing to make it legally binding. Basically they have messed up and found themselves with a huge bill.

fatchilli123 · 26/09/2022 22:01

🤣🤣🤣yes

Rosebel · 26/09/2022 22:03

They shouldn't have been aggressive but they've said it's up to you if you pay so accept the offer and don't pay.

expat101 · 26/09/2022 22:12

Just echoing others comments,

  1. check your deeds for maintenance clauses. We have to share maintenance costs on ours but we do it via text messages and emails so its all formal, as we don't have a great relationship with next door. But it generally works (although we won't be paying if they get the former contractor back in again).
  1. Ask for copies of the ''other'' quotes (I have no doubt there isn't any, but it pays to start off business like)
  1. Ask when is it expected the entire job is going to be done as it appears it's only to benefit their property and why was only that section of work undertaken...?

Just double check with your spouse first there isn't a conversation you are not aware of. We use to graze a neighbour's property at his request and in lieu of payment for fencing work he was liable for, but he never told his newish partner of the arrangement. He claimed we were not paying anything because he wanted to maintain ''control''. I knew her forum name on another website where she detailed this and as well as to other neighbours. DH made a point of stopping them on the road one day and clarifying for her the exact agreement...

Good luck, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.

Beepbeepenergy · 26/09/2022 22:20

Hahaha tell them to go away

Chuck2015 · 26/09/2022 22:36

The protocol in a leasehold flat situation (ie with a roof or joint repairs) is to get three quotes and then let the other parties come to an agreement. I imagine this is similar.,They absolutely cannot agree to spend your money without your agreement. I would pay for a short consult with a solicitor on the phone to get a letter drafted to make it clear this is where you stand or they’ll keep bugging you.,

Outsideswimbabe · 26/09/2022 22:38

Are you serious?????

JustAnotherManicMomday · 26/09/2022 23:09

I would e telling them i am not paying but if I get the bit outside my own house done at a later date I will not invoice them.

Fanakerpan · 26/09/2022 23:22

Tarmac, I would say you tarmac if you want but we are not for tarmacking, I would not pay.

pollymere · 27/09/2022 00:08

It seems a lot of money and they only did part of the road. I found this company and thought it might be worth asking them what it would actually cost to surface the whole road and discuss it with your other neighbours... totalsurfacingsolutions.co.uk/tarmacadam/?gclid=CjwKCAjwm8WZBhBUEiwA178UnC53-_l0fnQJZapewkZwmmJTuvDJX07D2ZGliGSH6PChKkZTo8kGFRoCPJQQAvD_BwE

THEDEACON · 27/09/2022 00:18

Don't say you can't afford to pay It's not your bill to pay if you weren't consulted and weren't party to any contract Any nonsense from them and pay for a sicitors letter to spell it out to them in glorious legalese

ChelseaRobertsofMalibu · 27/09/2022 00:36

picklemewalnuts · 25/09/2022 19:18

Ask all the other houses what they know about it.

What difference will it make what the other neighbours 'know' about it?

Booklover3 · 27/09/2022 00:40

Im surprised you didn’t laugh in their face. Only having their little bit done? They’ve been done.

Kjpt140v · 27/09/2022 03:45

You have choice, so don't pay.

Pipsquiggle · 27/09/2022 06:01

I am assuming you live on a private road?

I am also assuming that this came up in the searches when you bought the property so at some stage expect to pay something at some point for upkeep.

The way they have gone about it is weird and the fact they've only done part of the road. Usually you would have a neighbours meeting to discuss options, costs, timescales etc. As such I don't think he can force you to pay.

Have a chat with the neighbours to see how they are feeling

Rosehugger · 27/09/2022 06:01

Mentioning you might do something about the road is not the same as a discussion and agreement about costs.

Tontostitis · 27/09/2022 06:40

I'm sorry but that's a bargain. They've approached it badly but they are doing a good thing I'd offer to pay monthly if I couldn't afford it but I think you are lucky they are sorting the road at no hassle to you. Thus will improve your standard of living and the value of your house. You don't need to pay it in one go but you'd be a total arse to leave this cost down to them.

Doris86 · 27/09/2022 06:44

Tell them you are going to get the bit of road outside your house tarmaced and it will cost them £1000. So let’s just call it quits.