Rules about shared areas on property

give Citizens Advice a call, they should be able to point you in the right direction

Hi,
Just drives you insane doesn't it?! We are in a similar situation... we have a shared driveway. The people renting nextdoor park in the driveway if there is no space on their property. This blocks access to our home.... just too lazy to park on the road and walk up! Not too certain what the rules are either other than that the drive is a common area that both houses are responsible for as far as upkeep.
Are the people living in the flat next to you the owners or are they renting? My DH is going to phone the owner/landlord and have him sort them out, he's tired of trying... maybe you can do the same if they're tenants? Your local council might also be able to offer some advice?

Assuming this is a crosslease property, did you get a copy of the crosslease document when you bought the property? Or can you get a copy from your lawyer to see what it specifies about the common property? Unless otherwise stipulated, under the lease document where common property is a shared driveway it is generally only for the purposes of each flat owner and their respective guests/invitees using the area for vehicle access to and vehicle egress from their own property, or for turning around where required. It usually cannot be used parking of any vehicles where it obstructs or causes nuisance or blocks access for the other flat owners, unless in certain circumstances where the lease may provide. If they are definitely not supposed to be parking in the common property, then go and try to talk to them because they may not realise. If they do know, and are just being lazy and ignoring the rule, then it's up to you if you want to take it further and pay to get your lawyer involved by writing them a letter for you. Or if they are tenants, then I would suggest finding out who the landlord/rental agent is and get them to deal with it.