What Is a Shared Driveway Agreement in NH Real Estate?

🏡 What Is a Shared Driveway Agreement in NH Real Estate?

Shared driveways are extremely common in parts of New Hampshire, especially in areas like Plymouth, Campton, Rumney, Thornton, and other Central NH towns where older properties, rural layouts, or steep terrain make shared access practical.

If you’re buying a home with a shared driveway, it’s important to understand who maintains it, who pays for it, and what legal rights come with it.

Here’s what NH buyers need to know before closing.

⭐ What Is a Shared Driveway Agreement?

A shared driveway agreement is a legally recorded document that outlines how two or more property owners share access to a single driveway.

It typically defines:

✔ Who can use the driveway

✔ Who maintains it

✔ How costs are split

✔ What restrictions apply

✔ Where the boundaries and easement areas are

Without a written agreement, disputes can happen — especially over snow removal and long-term maintenance.

⭐ Why Shared Driveways Are Common in NH

In rural and mountainous parts of New Hampshire, shared driveways are common because:

• Terrain makes separate driveways difficult

• Long private roads are expensive to maintain

• Older homes were built before modern zoning

• Multi-home lots were previously split

• Subdivisions created shared access easements

Because of this, shared driveways appear in both older and newer NH properties.

⭐ What’s Typically Included in a Shared Driveway Agreement?

A complete NH shared driveway agreement usually covers:

✔ 1.

Maintenance Responsibilities

Who handles:

Paving

Gravel and grading

Tree clearing

Winter plowing and sanding

✔ 2.

Cost-Sharing

How owners split expenses:

• 50/50

• Proportionate to use

• Based on frontage

• Or another method

✔ 3.

Access Rights

Who can use the driveway:

• Owners

• Guests

• Service vehicles

• Emergency vehicles

✔ 4.

Restrictions

Often includes:

• No blocking access

• No major construction without approval

• No widening without agreement

• No long-term parking

✔ 5.

Easement Location

A recorded easement map shows where each owner can legally drive.

⭐ What Buyers MUST Check Before Closing

Before you buy a home with a shared driveway in NH, confirm:

✔ A recorded, written shared driveway agreement exists

✔ The easement is shown on the deed and survey

✔ All houses that use the driveway are included

✔ You understand your maintenance obligations

✔ There are no active disputes between neighbors

✔ The driveway meets town standards (important for lenders)

If no agreement exists, your attorney may advise creating one.

⭐ Lender Requirements in NH

Most mortgage lenders want:

✔ A recorded easement

✔ A written shared driveway agreement

✔ Clear access for emergency vehicles

✔ Legal maintenance access

If this is missing, the lender may require the seller to formalize the agreement before closing.

⭐ Pros and Cons of Shared Driveways

✔ Pros

• Lower maintenance cost

• Less grading/clearing needed

• Easier access on steep or rural land

• Reduced environmental disturbance

❌ Cons

• Disagreements over plowing

• Cost disputes

• Parking issues

• Limited privacy

• Legal confusion if not recorded

⭐ Bottom Line

Shared driveways are common across Central NH, but they require careful review.

Before buying, make sure you understand:

✔ Your rights

✔ Your responsibilities

✔ Who maintains the road

✔ What the recorded easement allows

✔ Whether a written agreement exists

A well-written agreement protects you from future headaches.

⭐ Keywords

nh shared driveway agreement, plymouth nh driveway easement, campton nh road maintenance rules, thornton nh shared access, rumney nh driveway easement laws, central nh real estate driveway issues

Jim Johnson — Real Estate Agent

58 NH Route 25A

Wentworth, NH 03282

P: (857) 249-7392

W: www.JimJohnsonRealEstateAgent.com

Licensed New Hampshire REALTOR® with Three Hills Real Estate Services

Broker Email: info@ThreeHillsRES.com

Broker Website: www.ThreeHillsRES.com