Should I allow neighbors to travel on my land when they are flooded in and the usual roads are under water?

Question

They go up the middle of my property (which is 20 acres of over grown woods). I am trying to be a good neighbor but am not sure if I allow them to continue to do this if it could be a problem later. The city does not plan on fixing the roads.

Answer 1

Thats more of a personal decison....look at it if you were flooded in and you could only gain access to your home if you went through their yard.....I would say as long as they respect your property its the least we could do for our neighbors!

Answer 2

I would complain to the city and get a lawyer.  Not trying to hurt the poor people that are trapped, but trying to get the city to help them somehow.

If you let them go thru your property it will eventually mean that you have what is called an unrecorded easement and it will interfere with future plans you may have.

Answer 3

This is over kill but if you are concerned this is my advice.  I would just say go ahead to my neighbor.

Prepare a contract so they understand it is temporary put a end time on it, renew it has often as you want but keep putting an end time on it.  Make sure there is no confusion that you are not granting them any type of permanent easement.  Make sure there is something in the contract releasing you from any liability.  Once you have this take it to an attorney and have them right the legal version, discuss with your attorney any liability and how you can minimize it.

ADD:  I just read where you said the city isn't going to fix so I would say my above advice isn't over kill.  

An easement HAS TO BE GRANTED to your neighbors, they can not be landlocked.  You and your neighbors are tax payers and it is not your responsibility to create the roads.  GO AS QUICKLY as you can to your county/city planner to see how they plan on getting this resolved.  

The city, townnship or county may not maintian the easement.  I have an easement that runs down my property but I have to maintian it on my own.  There is another landowner that has land below mine.  I only maintaint the part of the easement to my home.  

In the mean time my above advice would be minimal, unless they are friends or somebody that you don't want driving through your property for ever I would not let them on your property.  If you do you may end up with that as a permanent easement esp if you allow them to do any improving.

Schwild:  Having a road run through the middle your porperty can greatly affect the value.  You will have no say anymore for what happens with it and who travels on it.  If need be only down the edge or border.

Answer 4

Why would it be a problem later???  make it legal and grant them an easment accross your property.  Then there is a certain path they have to use and they are not all over your property.

Talk to a lawyer - they should be able to help you set that up.

Answer 5

You may want to make sure you have no liability should they be hurt on your land.

Answer 6

It may be the "good neighbor" thing to do, but It IS YOUR property. If you do not  want them on it, tell them! If the roads that were wiped out are PUBLIC roads and not a driveway or something, the town or state is responsible for fixing it