Boundary question

magyar

We have recently had an extension built. We live in a semi, but the extension didn't quite go up to our boundary on the side which adjoins our neighbour (it's about 30cm short of it.

My neighbour also wants to build an extension and has asked if he can join right up to ours to save building himself another wall 30cm from ours. Personally I don't really mind this at all, because that is 30cm (x about 2m) of completely unusable space, cannot be seen or accessed from anywhere.

However if I let him build on this, will this cause boundary problems in the future? Our house is mortgaged so I presume I don't have full permission anyway to sell him the sliver of land (which would be one solution) and I'm pretty sure you can't apply for planning permission on someone else's land.

Likewise I don't want to store up problems if we wanted to sell the house. (Not that it would be obviously spotted, although I suppose a sharp-eyed surveyor might do).

I get on very well with that neighbour and don't want to be obstructive over something I really don't care about, but can anyone see a way through these obstacles?

daveyjp

"I'm pretty sure you can't apply for planning permission on someone else's land."

You can, you just have to tell them.

Sounds like a potential nightmare to me - how will they tie in his extension to your wall?

The boundary will need to be changed as you will need to transfer some land, this will cost.

I'd get some professional advice before comitting yourself.

vaio

Another vote for professional advice......

I'd guess that strictly speaking you should transfer the land to them but to do that you'll need to get the lawyers involved and the consent of your mortgage company (and their surveyors & valuers) and I suspects the costs (even if you giver them the land) could wipe out any saving they’ll make by not having to build a skin of a wall

magyar

Yup thanks both. I am pretty sure this is sitting in the 'too hard' box. I've told the neighbour that I'm sorry but it's a no.