How do we stop our neighbours from driving across our drive?

[EstoyRobandoSuCasa]

We had our driveway tarmacked last summer and within weeks it was showing minor signs of wear and tear (not sure if that says anything about the quality of the tarmac). It has since accumulated more surface damage.

We don't have a car at the moment and it's obvious from the tyre tracks that my next door neighbours are to blame. Their adjoining driveway is narrower than ours and they keep two cars parked on it, one behind the other. When they want to get the car at the back out, they simply swerve across our driveway and drive down it. It's the swerving that appears to be causing most of the damage.

We haven't actually told the neighbours not to drive on our driveway, because we're 95% sure they would ignore this and still drive down it when they thought we weren't looking. Parking on the street is only allowed between certain times.

I'd love to put up a fence between the drives, or bollards, but no one else on the estate has these and we're not sure it would even be allowed.

I wouldn't be lending the neighbours your drive either as it could lead to entitlement and could cause issues when you want your drive back for your own car.

Get the company back to re-do the drive or see if you can claim on your insurance. There’s no way a tarmac drive should wear out in 3 weeks!

Your’e very kind aren’t you? I wanted Op to know it’s not uncommon to have inconsiderate neighbours and I understand, something you are seriously lacking in. In case you don’t know, it’s a chat site.

Given that the tarmacking cost thousands, we were thinking of charging the neighbours to use our drive, with some sort of barrier to go up if they decline. But I think the hassle would be more than it was worth!

Honestly this is an eyebrow raising idea .

You would be much better using your time and energy to actively chase the builders amd take them to small claims if needed.

I agree with this.

Do not offer to charge them or give them any right over driving over your drive. Even when you get a car they will continue to do it when your drive is empty.

Put some sort of barrier up now. Drives are expensive and you do not want them causing more wear and tear on the drive.

If them driving on it is damaging it, it’s the driveway that’s been poorly laid. Were your contractors “in the area” were they significantly cheaper than others? Definitely you have a contractor issue. As for the neighbours, planters down the middle is your solution though i wouldn’t be that petty

I absolutely would not allow them to use the driveway even if they paid.

Put in some kind of barrier.

I know exactly what they’re doing OP because we used to do this too. Crucially, we checked with our neighbour who didn’t mind at all and of course we returned the favour in other ways. They probably don’t see the harm in what they’re doing but if it’s causing damage you’re within your rights to point this out and ask them to stop. They should certainly not just do it without having cleared it with you first.

Hopefully you can resolve this amicably but don’t give in. They knew what their parking arrangements were when they bought the house.

Don't do this, they'll be perfectly used to having that space and if you get a car they'll get pissed off no doubt.

Oh dear! Always get the guarantee before paying. But thats a separate problem. I think plant pots or rocks would work. Maybe also ask a friend to park in your driveway sometimes to reinforce the point.

Check your deeds. It's unlikely that there is anything to stop you putting a fence in, but worth double checking.

great big flower pots

temu dell extra large plants

then put bricks in the bottom for drainage

then just a few winter snow drops on the top

Definitely DON’T allow them to park their car temporarily on your drive as suggested by a pp! This will only end in disaster! Give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.

Your tarmac drive has been done by cowboys. Seriously look into your rights with this, and pursue any legal route possible. We park 3 vehicles, including vans on ours, nothing has deteriorated in the 10 months since we’ve had it done. Yours is clearly shoddy cowboy works.

Personally, I think it’s pointless even telling/asking the neighbours not to do use your drive edge - they’ll either do it more out of pettiness, or they’ll do it anyway when you’re not there. I would definitely be putting up some kind of barrier that completely restricts their ability to access any part of it.

A drive should be able to withstand being driven over.

A drive should be able to withstand being driven on, thats the entire point. Obviously its not been done correctly.

that said yes you can put a fence or bollards or even big flower pots long as its on your side.

Not helpful to call it ‘wet wipe behaviour’’
This really depends on the neighbours.
Some neighbours you can speak to and others will become aggressive and escalate into ‘neighbours from hell.’
OP has to judge this herself from her experience of them as people.

Bad neighbours ruin lives.

I can’t believe we’ve got this far without someone suggesting penguin bollards.

No that will set a precedent whereby they feel entitled to use OP's drive.

Fgs don't do this, it will become a regular thing and will be expected in the future, even if you were to get a car or need to use YOUR driveway for visitor parking.

They wouldn't be that good a solution as they would impede the OPs future progress as well as the NDN.

A dwarf fence is probably the best solution. I would make sure that the posts are concrete and well cemented in with a gap not big enough to get a car through.

Also make sure they are correctly positioned wrt the border.

Regardless of who’s doing the driving, driving over a driveway should not damage the driveway. A driveway’s purpose is to be driven on and parked on. If the surface is damaged by using it for its intended purpose, then you have a claim against the person or company who did the work for you, under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. Services must be performed with reasonable care and skill (this applies to the laying of the surface). Goods must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose (this applies to the tarmac itself).

I would take this up with the person or company who did the work. They should rectify it.

Op what did they do before you tarmaced your drive?

Do not under any circumstances take this awful awful advice. Your aim is to stop your neighbours doing this not encourage them ffs

How would that help? The problem isn’t neighbours parking on the drive, the problem is them cutting across it to get their car out. A small permanent physical barrier between the drives is what is needed , ie a small fence. A removable bollard would serve no purpose here.