Building regulations for terraced housing

kbcs6dpm

Hi all. I’ve got a quick question about building regulations. Basically, I live in a street with terraced housing. My neighbour is building a two storey rear extension. We’ve decided that we want to do the same, and have applied for planning permission.

I’ve noticed that the builders next door have drilled large holes in the side of the new extension for use as air vents (perhaps a kitchen/bathroom extractor), as well as some cabling coming out as well. They’ve also attached a rainwater drain pipe to the side, but that’s external only, so could easily be moved at a later date. If we build an extension, we would want to utilise as much space as possible, so the vents and cables would effectively be in our way!

So I was wondering where the law stands on this? I would have thought that building regulations state that you’re not allowed to have vents and cables protruding out of the side of an extension to a terraced building (in case someone else extends as well)?

I’m trying to contact the owner whilst they are currently doing the work, but would like to know what my rights are before I start ordering them to move vents to the back of their extension.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot in advance.

Doozergirl

It's nothing to do with building regulations or planning, it would be civil law. If the wall of their house forms the boundary, then they shouldn't be placing items that overhang onto your side. If it isn't forming the boundary and it's on their land, you'll need to build your own wall next to it.

They probably haven't even considered it themselves. I'd speak to them and let them know, indeed speak to the builders and suggest you might like them to build your extension so that they see the benefit to making it easier for themselves in the future. Whether you actually use them is by the by.

It's good to keep it friendly though, if it can be rectified straight away, great, otherwise you can contact a Party Wall Surveyor while the work is still ongoing (have a google for the Party Wall Act, see if that helps ). Moving an air vent shouldn't be a problem at all for a builder.