Knocking down a 'Shared Shed'

razam

Not sure if this is the right section, apologies if it isn't.

I have bought a house which was an ex-council house (The previous owner bought the house from the council). However, the house next door is still a council-owned house with existing council tenants.

I am considering building a conservatory in my garden, and I looked at Planning Permission guidelines, and I do not fall foul of any general rules.

A problem arises in regards to the shed in the garden. The brick-built shed is a joint-structure shared between my garden and next door (council owned property). In other words, it is a structure, with one roof, but with a (brick) wall in the centre seperating access - so I only have access to my half & my neighbour only has access to his half. One end of the shed, is connected to the houses. I hope that all makes sense. The main point is, the central wall is shared between the properties.

What I would like to do is knock down my side of the shed, ensure that the central wall & roof are made good etc., and then attach the front face of my conservatory to that central wall.

As the central wall (that the conservatory is intended to be attached to) is shared between myself and the council owned property, I wanted to make sure that I am not breaking any laws or that the council will not demand the dismatling of the conservatory, etc. as a result.

I have emailed the council & am waiting for a reply.
I thought while I wait, some of your good folk her at MSE may have experience in this area.

Thanks in advance.

Ebe_Scrooge

Sorry I can't offer any specific advice. I would say you've done the right thing by asking the council - every council will have it's own rules & regs., really only they can tell you whether it's OK or not. Many years ago my in-laws were in a very similar situation, and they were allowed to knock down their half. But that's not to say your local council will have the same approach.

The one thing I would say : you say that you've emailed the council, if they say it's OK to knock down your half, then make sure you get it in writing before you do anything. Strictly speaking, emails CAN be used as legal documents, but to save yourself any hassle in the future ( particularly if you ever sell the house ), then having a real letter that explicitly says what you're allowed to do will save a lot of bother.

razam

Thanks Ebe Scrooge

If it helps, the council is London Borough of Redbridge.

Has anyone dealt with them on a similar issue before?