What can I do about my neighbor using our driveway?

Question

I have a driveway that comes from the street wraps around in front of our house, then connects back to the end of the driveway into the street. I drive in, go around in a circle then connect back to the driveway to go out into the street. My neighbor has a driveway that connects from the street, goes along the side of their house, back into the front of a large garage (that they don't use), but ALSO connects to our driveway so it creates a U shape back into the street. Basically I have a wraparound driveway, they don't, but because of a little section that connects the two, they think they do. They are using it to get back into the street instead of their own driveway. It snowed recently and I shoveled some snow on that connection to tell them to stop using our driveway, but they drove around it and into our section of yard that separates our houses. They plowed their driveway but stopped at the connection where they meet our driveway. But they still used our driveway. Help.

The connection has been there for a while, don't know the exact details. I haven't tried talking to the neighbors, basically pissed off that they basically said "FU" by driving right around the snow mound I made and into out yard then then into the driveway. That said a lot about what they thought of this. I'm just really pissed off today and them doing that was the last thing I needed.

I am a tenant, so I don't own the house. We have been trying to contact the landlord about this but he hasn't responded. I don't know the history of the connection but apparently the neighbor has been a problem before.

Answer 1

I can't make any bloody hell sense of this, or relating to the question exactly.
My advice is to tell the neighbor that you don't want them crossing the line onto your drive. Have some balls and set it straight. Just make it firm you don't want them on your drive.
If all that comes to fail build a barrier.

Answer 2

Is there a reason that it bothers you? If they are not doing any damage to your property, why not let them? As long as they don't block your way or do damage, it doesn't hurt to share. One kindness can often come back to you in other ways. You could ask them to share in the snow removal as well.
If there is a good reason why you can't share, ask them nicely to stop doing it and if that doesn't work, I would put some rocks, pots of plants or whatever in the way to stop them. Or even try going around and out their driveway a few times to show them what its like.
I would definally be careful about doing something that would damage their tires as that could start a lot of unpleasantness and might also be illegal. Also check with the landlord as they might just have the right to use that driveway.

Answer 3

The question is, do they have an easement on your driveway? I'm guessing that they don't, but you might want to check with your local county recorder to see if they do. If they don't, be sure to tell them to stop, and do it in a legal way (for example, via registered mail). If they continue to use your driveway, and you do nothing to stop them (making a snow barrier doesn't count), you're giving them your implied consent, and I believe they will eventually be able to obtain an easement to your driveway because of it (I can't remember the term for this).

If the neighbors do not have a legal easement, I would suggest removing the connection or building a wall between the two driveways. Just make sure that the wall is on your side of the property line.

I'd strongly suggest contacting a real estate attorney to discuss this issue.

Answer 4

There is alot of good advice on this topic that you could use.
First, tell them to stop
Second, get the legal rights just like the "attorney in practice" said to
Thirdly, put up a sign that says something like, "we will not be held responsible for damage received on my property."
Fourth, build some sort of concrete barrier or border and stick nails in the grass around the area that they would drive through...that'll be fun but that's just what i would do.

Answer 5

Have you tried telling them not to use your driveway????

If all else fails.....put a line of boards down along the edge of your driveway...oh did I forget to mention those boards will have nails sticking up through them. If they drive across it their tires will be flattened. Put up a small sign stating crossing this line may result in tire damage.

Answer 6

The only way to do it gracefully is to politely ask and tell them you prefer not to use it.Are they driving through the yard or it just bugs you?i would jokingly say you all like my driveway better than your own!!and see if you get a response at first then if no i would be more blunt and say I prefer you dont use it thanks so much for understanding.
Theres no easy way ..just be polite.

Answer 7

to start with you need to try to talk to them about it,see if their willing to stop maybe there's a reason they do it , find out whats going on first.if they don't have a good reason, tell them to stop nicely preferably in person first, in writing second., after that i think i would see if the police would talk to them about it. if that still doesn't work put up a no trespassing sign, then if they do it again take them to court, first and foremost do what you can to work it out civilly. you could try putting up some kind of curbing as long as your place it on your property.

Answer 8

Is this recent development? Are the neighbors people you can talk with, or are they just jerks who are taking advantage because they think they can get away with it?
Maybe you can send them a fee agreement telling how much a month you will charge them for use of your property.

Answer 9

Set up a barricade. Put up sign indicating "Private Property"
Trespasser will be Prosecuted"

Answer 10

Best way is to talk to them or if they don't get the message, block up the exit with your cars so they can't get out and they'll learn not to park their