Damage caused during house extension
Discussion
Once his extension is done you may find you cannot get planning permission as I seem to remember that my council will not allow extensions that convert semis into terraces.
My house has a single story extension built with a common cavity wall to a similar extension next door. Other neighbors have separate walls and the loss of width in their extensions is very noticeable.
My house has a single story extension built with a common cavity wall to a similar extension next door. Other neighbors have separate walls and the loss of width in their extensions is very noticeable.
GT6k said:
Once his extension is done you may find you cannot get planning permission as I seem to remember that my council will not allow extensions that convert semis into terraces.
My house has a single story extension built with a common cavity wall to a similar extension next door. Other neighbors have separate walls and the loss of width in their extensions is very noticeable.
This is something that worried me, is it best I submit planning application for the same ?.My house has a single story extension built with a common cavity wall to a similar extension next door. Other neighbors have separate walls and the loss of width in their extensions is very noticeable.
The Surveyor said:
Suggestion above about agreeing with your neighbour to build a new shared party wall is sensible if you are planning on doing the same in the future.
Also, whilst the Party Wall Act applies, there is no automatic requirement to follow the detailed (and expensive) procedure. If the scope of works is straight forward, and if both parties agree to the timescales, scope, and other applicable factors, an agreement can be made by a simple exchange of letters. Thus saving them fees which can be factored in when agreeing the split of the costs.
If you have any concerns that they won't abide to the agreement, follow the full scope of the Party Wall Act and push for your own surveyor especially if you have any doubts over their surveyors impartiality. Don't let them start without getting an agreement, and if they do there is guidance on injunctions in the Act.
As mentioned by GT6k that the council may refuse me planning permission once my neighbour completes his extension as it will turn the property from semi to terrace, can I get my neighbour to leave a gap between my current extension wall and his new extension wall?.Also, whilst the Party Wall Act applies, there is no automatic requirement to follow the detailed (and expensive) procedure. If the scope of works is straight forward, and if both parties agree to the timescales, scope, and other applicable factors, an agreement can be made by a simple exchange of letters. Thus saving them fees which can be factored in when agreeing the split of the costs.
If you have any concerns that they won't abide to the agreement, follow the full scope of the Party Wall Act and push for your own surveyor especially if you have any doubts over their surveyors impartiality. Don't let them start without getting an agreement, and if they do there is guidance on injunctions in the Act.
OP,
See the bigger picture here. You have an opportunity to make sure that your future extension will also be wider, and neither of you will be left with a silly gap between 2 external walls.
It may cost you something now to do it, but think about allowing the neighbour to build a party wall straight down the centre of the boundary on one foundation, he wins , you win as both parties get a wider extension and everybody is happy.
See the bigger picture here. You have an opportunity to make sure that your future extension will also be wider, and neither of you will be left with a silly gap between 2 external walls.
It may cost you something now to do it, but think about allowing the neighbour to build a party wall straight down the centre of the boundary on one foundation, he wins , you win as both parties get a wider extension and everybody is happy.
The Surveyor said:
Suggestion above about agreeing with your neighbour to build a new shared party wall is sensible if you are planning on doing the same in the future.
Also, whilst the Party Wall Act applies, there is no automatic requirement to follow the detailed (and expensive) procedure. If the scope of works is straight forward, and if both parties agree to the timescales, scope, and other applicable factors, an agreement can be made by a simple exchange of letters. Thus saving them fees which can be factored in when agreeing the split of the costs.
If you have any concerns that they won't abide to the agreement, follow the full scope of the Party Wall Act and push for your own surveyor especially if you have any doubts over their surveyors impartiality. Don't let them start without getting an agreement, and if they do there is guidance on injunctions in the Act.
Hi all,Also, whilst the Party Wall Act applies, there is no automatic requirement to follow the detailed (and expensive) procedure. If the scope of works is straight forward, and if both parties agree to the timescales, scope, and other applicable factors, an agreement can be made by a simple exchange of letters. Thus saving them fees which can be factored in when agreeing the split of the costs.
If you have any concerns that they won't abide to the agreement, follow the full scope of the Party Wall Act and push for your own surveyor especially if you have any doubts over their surveyors impartiality. Don't let them start without getting an agreement, and if they do there is guidance on injunctions in the Act.
Just a quick update and further advice needed, my neighbour has arranged for a builder to start the works but has advised she prefers not to have me appoint a surveyor due to costs but is willing to draw an agreement confirming she would pay in the event of damage caused to my property by her builder.
If I was to have the neighbours builder make the new shared party wall would I need planning permission if was to do a double story extension in the future? or do I need planning permission before its done.
Also can anyone show me an example of how my shred party wall will look like if I was to go ahead now.
Could I still appoint party wall surveyor even if I was to agree to have a new shared wall built>
I would get your neighbour to slow down. First, I would write them a formal letter insisting that they send you a party wall agreement. This doesn't mean you have to get surveyors involved - you can simply agree. Surveyors only get involved when you want to get into dispute. However, the formal letter and response ensures that all the dominoes are lined up. Secondly, I would advise them that as it stands they do not have any permission to cross your boundary with eaves/guttering or any other services, and if they do cross your boundary, then you reserve the right to take action for trespass. You can say that this is just so that you can review what they are doing and perhaps discuss what might happen in the future.
It does sound like they want to just crack on and ignore some of the correct procedures.
It does sound like they want to just crack on and ignore some of the correct procedures.
CoolHands said:
All the semis in west London are doing this these days. Looks horrendous, but hey at least you can fit 50 extended family members in the property.
Not quite. Move 3-4 families into a house designed for a 1 family.Adults work cash in hand & claim on top.
They'll share between them so Mr Landlord gets up to 50%-100% more rent than a lone working family can afford. The kids of these families automatically get a place in the local school, which has been designed to service a locality based on 2 kids per house on average.
Add the 5-6 ****ing cars and vans parked all over the place damaging the pavements & verges, rubbish just left beside the road for someone else to pick up and others which increase demand on local services.
And that is before Mr Landlord invests his excess rent in adding a huge shed with utilities at the end of the garden.
The sooner we Brexit the better imo !
OP - neighbour doesn't have a preference, or any choice. You should get a party wall surveyor to act.
You should also investigate the planning situation should you want your own extension built - asap !
Unfortunately my neighbour has gone ahead with her building work and not served me any party wall notice and from speaking to her builddr they don't on plan on serving me the notice.
They have already laid their foundations.
I have decided not to have an extension done.
My property has now been damaged and I advised my neighbour and her builders of the damage, the builders agreed to rebuild my damaged wall once they put the concrete foundations in but have now changed their mind and said they will fill in the cracks.
Also one of the internal doors is not closing and the rear exit door to the garden is not opening due to my wall shifting down.
The builders are saying because my wall has not got proper foundations this is the reason why it is shifting, I've tried to explain to them when they dug the ground right next to my wall this caused the soil under my wall to move and thus causing cracking to my property but they don't want to know now.
I've spoke to a third party wall surveyor and he suggests taking out an injuction to stop any further works and then maybe the neighbour may serve the third party wall notices and if she does then to instruct him to act on my behalf.
I'm just after advice on what my best options are.
They have already laid their foundations.
I have decided not to have an extension done.
My property has now been damaged and I advised my neighbour and her builders of the damage, the builders agreed to rebuild my damaged wall once they put the concrete foundations in but have now changed their mind and said they will fill in the cracks.
Also one of the internal doors is not closing and the rear exit door to the garden is not opening due to my wall shifting down.
The builders are saying because my wall has not got proper foundations this is the reason why it is shifting, I've tried to explain to them when they dug the ground right next to my wall this caused the soil under my wall to move and thus causing cracking to my property but they don't want to know now.
I've spoke to a third party wall surveyor and he suggests taking out an injuction to stop any further works and then maybe the neighbour may serve the third party wall notices and if she does then to instruct him to act on my behalf.
I'm just after advice on what my best options are.
Crispynotes said:
I'm just after advice on what my best options are.
Asuming your neighbour and their builder are refusing to play ball, it sounds like you've already had some pretty good advice.Crispynotes said:
I've spoke to a third party wall surveyor and he suggests taking out an injunction to stop any further works and then maybe the neighbour may serve the third party wall notices and if she does then to instruct him to act on my behalf.
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steve2 said:
Did you write to your neighbour as advised ?
I spoke in person to the building owner and builder who assured me they would put right any damage done and the neighbour went further to advise she would pay for the repairs herself if her builder refused to deal.The building manager is away from the UK and his workers have said to speak to him on his return and if he tells them to rebuild the wall then that's what they will do.
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