Buying a house in a private road
Are private roads a good thing?
In many ways, the answer is "Yes". Residents in a private road
may enjoy:
- Some control over their immediate surroundings, perhaps
including the ability to regulate development by granting or
refusing new rights of way, and/or parking.
- Increased amenity and security.
- A measure of exclusivity, and hence enhanced property
values.
These advantages are usually well worth the effort and cost of
looking after the road, which is modest if shared between
residents. Private roads remain very popular, and developers often
lay out new houses in roads which will remain private.
Enquiries
If you are thinking of buying a house in a private road, your
solicitor (or licensed conveyancer) will be able to check whether
there is an active residents' association or management company,
and if so how it works and what obligations and rights residents
may have. You may find that before banks and building societies are
reluctant to fund purchases without obtaining some reassurance that
all is in order with the organisation of the road and that there
are no problems with legal issues such as rights of way.
If there is an active and well-run residents' association or
company you can usually buy with confidence. If not, a degree of
circumspection may be wise, in view of the problems which may arise
in the absence of proper organisation.
Last Updated: 24 February 2011