terraced house with a "shared" loft space

evans17

I don't think you would be able to use a stud wall as it is needed to stop the spread of fire between 2 properties so would have to be of solid construction.

jackieb

There are council houses in our town which were built in the 30s. There is a terrace which spans 3 streets (like 3 sides of a square). All these lofts were open - about 5 houses in total. I'm thinking they must have been closed up by now though.

Wickedkitten

Don't forget as well that since it is between the two houses, it will be considered a party wall and you will need to get your neighbours agreement on it unless you build it just on your side.

03022242

evans17 wrote: »

I don't think you would be able to use a stud wall as it is needed to stop the spread of fire between 2 properties so would have to be of solid construction.

No,

party walls are and can be made of timber as well as "solid contruction" its all about reaching the required performance

poppysarah

Bound to be helpful advice at the local building control office at the council.

slummymummyof3

It will likely be classed as a party wall - in which case it would benefit both yourselves and your neighbour, so sharing costs should be an option. Can you not ask your neighbour to go halves on having this fire break wall built? I would avoid mentioning the term 'party wall' if at all possible as otherwise you may well have to go in to the expense of having a party wall agreement drawn up (which isn't cheap!)

Sonofa

evans17 wrote: »

I don't think you would be able to use a stud wall as it is needed to stop the spread of fire between 2 properties so would have to be of solid construction.

Not at all, standard plasterboard has an inherent fire resistance and can be used to construct a fire resistant partition with timber or steel studwork. Beyond that you can buy more specialist plasterboards specifically for fire performance.

Hectors_House

D1zzy wrote: »

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.

Although the terraced house I've just brought has a dividing wall in the loft we were advises on the survey that it needs making fireproof.

This didn't stop us getting a mortgage but it was just flagged up as something that needs doing in the future (no deadline date was given for the work as part of our mortgage agreement).

sarah_elton

D1zzy wrote: »

I think this situation was the norm in victorian terraces.

As anyone who's read the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series will know.

silvercar

It can be a fire risk, it can also be an escape path!