How to Get a New Driveway if I Share with the Neighbour

A shared driveway can make life easier, especially in crowded towns. But sometimes you just need a fresh start. Cracks, potholes or uneven surfaces are not just ugly — they can turn into real hazards. When your driveway is shared with a neighbour, things get more complex. You need to respect their rights as well as your own. Getting a new drive done the right way needs careful planning, good communication, and the law on your side. Here’s how you can make it work.

Understanding Your Shared Driveway Agreement

Before you dream of smooth tarmac or stylish block paving, you must know exactly who owns what. With shared driveways, the lines can blur.

Check Property Deeds and Land Registry

Dig out your property deeds or visit the Land Registry website. Look for any mention of the driveway—does it split down the middle or is it fully communal? Diagrams in the deeds can show boundaries. Sometimes a shared driveway is recorded as ‘tenants in common’. In other cases, an easement might grant access to both homes, but not always split cost or upkeep.

Identify Legal Rights and Responsibilities

You and your neighbour may both have rights to use the shared driveway, but you might not share costs for work. Sometimes one house actually owns the land, while the other just has access rights. It’s all in the legal paperwork. If nothing is clear, chat to a solicitor who can read the fine print and explain any clauses.

Communication and Gaining Consent from Your Neighbour

Unlike a garden fence, a shared driveway affects other people’s daily life. Cooperation is key.

Discuss Your Plans Early

Bring up your ideas before booking an installer. Choose a relaxed moment—maybe over a cup of tea—and share your plans. Ask about their worries and listen closely. This can build trust and turn a tricky talk into a team effort.

Documenting Agreement in Writing

Once you agree, write everything down. This can be a simple email or a more formal letter signed by both sides. Include details like cost splits, design choices and the expected timetable. Having it in writing avoids memory slips and future arguments.

Planning Permissions and Local Regulations

Laying a new shared driveway isn’t just about looks. Your local council may have strong views on surface materials, drainage, or parking.

Council Requirements and Permissions

Some driveway jobs, such as adding concrete in front gardens, need planning permission. Contact your local council to ask about current rules. If a drop kerb is needed or you live in a conservation area, approval is a must. Councils often want input from both owners or occupiers, so both you and your neighbour should sign any forms.

Impact on Access and Utilities

Plan ahead for how workmen, machinery and skips will affect your neighbour’s routines. Agree on a timetable for work that suits you both. Check if any drains, pipes, or cables run below the driveway. Sometimes moving or protecting these involves extra cost and consent from both of you.

Choosing Materials and Arranging Installation

Picking the right look and finding a good tradesman means working together.

Selecting the Right Surface

A shared driveway has to stand up to double the use. Concrete, block paving or resin are all popular. Think about grip in winter, pooling water and cost. Agree with your neighbour on texture and colour to avoid clashes, unless you want half-and-half, which looks odd to most.

Getting Quotes and Selecting Contractors

Ask friends for reliable driveway installers, or look for well-reviewed local firms. Get at least three quotes in writing. Make sure the company knows it’s a shared driveway and speaks to both of you. Check insurance and qualifications, and ask for photos of past work. Both you and your neighbour should be happy before signing a contract.

Summary

Sorting out a new shared driveway is a mix of paperwork, planning and people skills. Find out the facts before you choose contractors or materials. Have open, friendly talks with your neighbour and always get things in writing. Work within the law and follow local rules. The right approach ensures your shared driveway upgrade is smooth, fair, and stress-free for both sides.