Advice needed on neighbours planned renovations

harcombe

Hi, we bought a terraced 1800's property in sept 2009 which had had an attic extension put on (flat roof dormer) in 2000.

The house next door to us is a rental and now its become empty the owner wants to do some much needed renovations which I dont have a problem with. However today he came round with his builder and told my husband that part of our attic extension sits on his roof and he thinks they then said that they will be joining their extention to ours.

I have tried to get hold of the owner to clarify his plans, but so far no joy, I am putting a note through next door asking him to clarify in writing what he means and that I do not give him permission to alter any of our property at this moment in time (does that sound fair?).

I contacted the previous owners and they informed me that planning permission was given and if I remember rightly our solicitor wouldnt let us proceed until he had received a building certificate for all works completed on the house, which took a while.

I have been onto local council website and download the letter granting planning permission - it does state extension must not overhang adjacent property, but when I stand out the very back of my garden (which is 100ft) it doesnt look as though it does. Also the wall going up into attic bedroom are level with original wall on landing so dont see how they could have encroached. There are no planning applications showing for next door at present.

What I want to know is can he attach his extension to mine without my consent? The dormer part of our extension is slate tiled at sides and front with a flat roof and guttering at front with drainpipe running down on our house. If he were to attach to our extension I imagine they would need to alter what is the outside of our wall and roof and I do worry about damage as we couldnt afford to get it fixed if it went wrong.

As I said Dormer extension went up in 2000, planning permission was granted 1999. Think the owner of next door has owned the house approx 9-10 years.

Any advice gratefully received.

harcombe

Thank you for replying Andrew. I didnt think he could just build onto our extension without our permission.

I will research the Party Wall Act - I have also just taken out legal cover on my home insurance just in case I need it.

mikey72

The alternative is he builds right up to your property, and you can't get to yours to do any maintenance ever again.

harcombe

I have popped a note through their door just asking them to clarify what work they are going to do. I honestly dont have a problem with them renovating the property as it is a pigs ear at the moment, I just want to ensure that my property isnt damaged etc in the process.

I have looked at the party wall act and I dont really want to fall out with my neighbour by saying you have to give me 2 months notice etc to attach to my extension.

I think if they can give me something in writing that states that the outside wall of our extension will become part of a party wall and that they will be responsible for all work and costs involved and also that my property will not be damaged in the process and if it is they will repair it at their own cost, I will be happy.