neighbours extension

milliondollarbaby

hi
im a ftb and i just bought a 4 bed det house. the neighbours started their extension whilst we were doing our survey , etc. they ve extended right up to our house leaving only an inch gap between both houses. the neighbours house is a semi-det and so now it looks like its a terrace as all three houses look linked. also, our boilers flue came out on that side of the wall. we ve had builders out and they said that our flue is now illegal because there is nt much of a gap between the houses so our boiler now needs moving which will cost us £1000. all the builders also said that they should nt have been allowed to build so close. ive contacted local planning office and building regs and they say they are within their rights. need some help. is there anything i can do?

Doozergirl

Being in the process of building an extension right now, I can't build up to within 1m of the boundary, let alone the house next door!

Have they had planning permission granted? I can't understand how building regs would let them build right up to your flue either

brasso

Didn't your searches show that there was an extension to be built next door? I believe Doozergirl is right about not being able to build within a metre of a boundary.

Norroy

milliondollarbaby wrote:

hi
im a ftb and i just bought a 4 bed det house. the neighbours started their extension whilst we were doing our survey , etc. they ve extended right up to our house leaving only an inch gap between both houses. the neighbours house is a semi-det and so now it looks like its a terrace as all three houses look linked. also, our boilers flue came out on that side of the wall. we ve had builders out and they said that our flue is now illegal because there is nt much of a gap between the houses so our boiler now needs moving which will cost us £1000. all the builders also said that they should nt have been allowed to build so close. ive contacted local planning office and building regs and they say they are within their rights. need some help. is there anything i can do?

If it is a single storey extension then it may be legal.If it is a two storey almost certainly not.I would recommend that you visit the relevant planning office and view the approved plans (look for stamp).If they differ from what has been built take a copy of the plans, and notify both the planning dept and your solicitor.

roswell

Pobably not the best way to start a relationship with your neighbours but have you told them about the problem with your flue are they willing to pay for it to be moved ?

And as above didnt the searches find planning permission for the extension ?

nelly_2

Different planning offices have different rules.

thesaint

It is possible that planning permission was not required.
It would still need to meet building regulations though.

Doesn't the flue stick out of your wall, if the flue is flush, wouldn't the gases simply feedback into your house?

oldandhappy

In our area you can view all planning in the area on line.....
I cannot believe that this extension would pass the regulations which are strict...for this very reason posted by the OP. Mrs Happy

maninthestreet

OP, can you upload or provide a link to, some pictures of the problem?

marybishop

If they've built that close to your property they should have served notices under the Party Wall etc Act 1996. Any documents to this effect when you bought? Have a look at the RICS website for info on Party Wall matters. I think the relevant bit is going to be 'excavating foundations within 3m of an adjoining structure and lower than its foundations' and 'excavating foundations within 6m of an adjoining structure and below a line drawn down at 45 degrees from the bottom of its foundations'. Unfortunately the PW Act is not retrospective.

milliondollarbaby

hi,
thanks for all the replies. the search did nt bring up anything. they had a garage which was further back so they ve extended by bringing the garage to the front of the property and then building on top. planning permission has been granted and both building regs and local planinng office both say that hes building on his land and is within his boundary and our flue is nt taken in to account. as its not something they look at.