What to Know About Private Road Maintenance Agreements

While publicly-maintained roads get the majority of our attention, there are thousands of miles of private roads and driveways across the country that require maintenance and repair. Most private homeowners don’t have the skills or equipment to perform these tasks on their own, so they hire firms that specialize in private road maintenance agreements (PRMAs) to handle everything from professional snow removal to guardrail repairs.

A private road maintenance agreement may be required when a homeowner buys a property and there’s a private road on it, or build a new private road. This guide will help you better understand what type of PRMA is right for your property, and how you can get started with proper planning in place.

What Is a Private Road Maintenance Agreement?

Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock

Many mortgage companies require a prospective homeowner seeking to purchase a property with a private road to have a private road maintenance agreement in place. This agreement details how the private road in the community will be maintained, and who is responsible for maintaining it (such as the homeowner or a homeowners association).

PRMAs typically consist of two parts: stipulations on payment from a homeowner or homeowner association (HOA) for regular maintenance and repair work, and an agreement detailing what work needs to be done, who will do it, and how long it should take. There’s no rulebook for developing new housing developments or repaving roads; each agreement is unique and can vary widely depending on your personal needs.

Key PRMA Considerations

When drawing up a private road maintenance agreement, there are several key factors that you’ll want to consider.

The first and most important thing to consider is, what does the mortgage company require? Look into the terms of the agreement and what they are asking for as far as road maintenance. You will have to provide that in order to qualify for the property.

For example, Fannie Mae requires that you include the following in such an agreement:

• Responsibility for repairs

• Default remedies if obligations aren't met

• The term of the agreement

Another consideration is your budget. You’ll need to know how much money you can dedicate to maintaining your road each year. And a third factor is whether or not you want an open-ended agreement or one with a fixed end date. Open-ended agreements can be more flexible, but they also require more maintenance and upkeep throughout their duration.

It’s probably best if you hire someone to take care of this work rather than try to do it yourself. Contact a driveway paving company near you to see if they might be able to help you honor the terms of the agreement.

Sample PMRA Outline

A PRMA may contain the following sections:

1. Preface (explanation of purpose, etc.)

2. Description of property/roadway

3. Description of roadway uses

4. Description of maintenance fees

5. Termination clauses

6. Miscellaneous (legal definitions)

7. Exhibits: Photos, survey maps and other supporting documentation

8. Indemnification