terraced house with a "shared" loft space

D1zzy

Just discovered that in the victorian end of terrace house that I am selling there is no dividing wall in the loft between my house and the next. ie continuous loft space accross 2 houses. I'm wondering if this is likely to be an issue for my purchasers in obtaining a morgage or if there are any other legal type issues which might affect the sale.
Ta for any info.

dazzafact

The survey will pick it up and will have to be dealt with. I believe it is regarded as a fire hazzard nowadays. Not certain a mortgage would be refused 'cause of it mind.

Wickedkitten

Yup, we had the same problem with our old house in that there was no party wall and they might end up putting a retention on it. You'll have the same problem with any buyer once they find out really so either sort it yourself or negotiate the price to compensate

Sonofa

You've just discovered there is no wall! Have you never even looked up there before now?

The are two issues; security and fire.

I sold a 2 up 2 down a good few years ago and the buyer's survey flagged up that there were gaps in the party wall in the loft space - the wall didn't completely fill the space to the underside of the roof. I simply bricked up the remaining gaps prior to sale.

No wall at all would be a bigger problem. I would think a plasterboard partition would be the quickest/cheapest solution if needed.

besonders1

I remember a friend having a house like this and was amazed at how big the loft was, at the time I didn't believe her until I saw this thread! Can't you just put a curtain across or one of those screens that you see in offices/presentation rooms like this, it would be cheaper

http://www.accessdisplays.co.uk/images/portable-office-screens/athena/HPIM0826_large.jpg

Geenie

I don't think I would want to buy a house that just had a curtain or office screen dividing my house from next doors in the loft!!! :eek:

Firstly there is the fire risk, then the security, as would you want to be sleeping in a house that you knew could be accessible from next door?!! Are there locks on the attic doors!! Also people like to store things in their loft, which won't be possible if next door can access those items as well.

It needs a good brick, or possibly fire regulations board to cover the whole area in my opinion.

VfM4meplse

Sonofa wrote: »

The are two issues; security and fire.

It is not uncommon for burglars to enter one property and rob the adjoining one via loft access. This means your security is only as good as your neighbour's, over which you presumably have no control whatsoever. This would be a dealbreaker for me if I were a potential buyer.

besonders1

I remember when my gran was institutionalized 30 years ago saying that the next door neighbours were coming through her house via the attic hatch and she kept a stick on the landing as she could hear them in the loft stealing her stuff. Everyone thought she was crazy as there is no way someone can break in through the loft but now I see the flaws of the 2up 2 down houses!!

D1zzy

Thank you all . I think we'll avoid curtains and probably go for a stud wall if that meets building regs etc. I should say , it has only just come into our posession - hence our first visit to the loft and a big surprise. I think this situation was the norm in victorian terraces.

D1zzy

besonders1 wrote: »

I remember when my gran was institutionalized 30 years ago saying that the next door neighbours were coming through her house via the attic hatch and she kept a stick on the landing as she could hear them in the loft stealing her stuff. Everyone thought she was crazy as there is no way someone can break in through the loft but now I see the flaws of the 2up 2 down houses!!

Poor gran - get her out quick if its not too late ( could've been a young gran!!)

03022242

modern party walls cosist of two skins of blockwork taken up to the underside of the roof...

i very much doubt that the house has two skins...

i think you may be able to get away with a stud wall filled with retardent insulation and with 1 or two layers of plasterboard either side for additional fire protection