I just bought a house on a private gravel road. Our house is at the dead end with a turn around. The original owners had a servitude of passage established since the property is land locked from the main highway and they were the only house there until the owner’s sister put a trailer at the entrance of the road. Before the house was sold to me, the owners had a road maintenance agreement signed by them and the sister and her husband. It states we are responsible for 50% and the sister is responsible for 25%. A brother who owns the empty lot between us is responsible for the other 25%.

Since moving in I set up valet trash service with smaller trucks to come down the road to get my trash can since hauling it down the road would be very inconvenient. Also I have a water delivery service come twice a month. My neighbor called me to say she is concerned that the trucks are going to tear up the road. I assured her the garbage truck is smaller and shouldn’t mess up the road with once a week pick up. She never mentioned the water truck (which is bigger). I guess I just really want to know if I’m in the wrong for assuming I could get deliveries and trash pick up at my house. She kept reiterating that this is a private road. I completely am aware of the responsibility and maintenance agreement. In fact my husband and I are financially more obligated than she is. Now I stress any time I have garbage pick up/ packages delivered.

Originally this was all family land and now my husband and I are the outsiders. Private roads seem to be more stressful and full of issue. Has anyone else had this issue or have any advice for a newbie land owner?