Extension built on neighbour's land

sarahg1969

I've viewed a property this morning and I noticed that the neighbours had an extension on the back of the property I was viewing. I wondered if the houses had been built in this higgledy piggledy way, but was advised by the agent that the extension is built on the land belonging to the house I was viewing. It was built some 7 years ago without planning permission. It reduces the size of the garden quite significantly, and means that the room behind the extension has no window.

I think they've also put a door out on to more of the garden and created their own path taking up a further 4/5 all the way up the garden.

The neighbours were out in their yard during the viewing, and had brought a large noisy dog into their yard, which the agent said they always do as soon as they see someone coming to view.

Now, obviously, I'm not going to get involved with the property - seems like too much hassle, and the neighbours are probably a nightmare.

However, I was wondering how much work is involved in dealing with this extension problem?

BitterAndTwisted

How much work? Not that much as it would be carried out by someone legally qualified. Which could end up costing several fortunes and ultimately demolition. With very unhappy neighbours (who are idiots anyway as has been proven by their illegal snatching of someone else's land. Very possibly in the hope of acquiring adverse possession). Unhappy neighbours who could be at risk of acting rather unwisely, to put it mildly. The vendors must be barking to not deal with this before they try to sell. Or not able to raise the very considerable funds required in order to deal with it.

chris_m

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

The vendors must be barking to not deal with this before they try to sell.

They must have been barking to have allowed it in the first place, TBH.

patchwork_cat

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

How much work? Not that much as it would be carried out by someone legally qualified. Which could end up costing several fortunes and ultimately demolition. With very unhappy neighbours (who are idiots anyway as has been proven by their illegal snatching of someone else's land. Very possibly in the hope of acquiring adverse possession). Unhappy neighbours who could be at risk of acting rather unwisely, to put it mildly. The vendors must be barking to not deal with this before they try to sell. Or not able to raise the very considerable funds required in order to deal with it.

The owners shouldn't have to deal with it if it has been built without planning permission, surely that is a planning issue.

pinkshoes

You could always put an offer in on the provision that the neighbour's extension is removed from the land and a large fence put up on the lannd border.

Running_Horse

I would phone the council planning department and grass them up, just for the fun of it, regardless of whether I bought it.

DRP

Running_Horse wrote: »

I would phone the council planning department and grass them up, just for the fun of it, regardless of whether I bought it.

^^absolutely

sarahg1969

The owner is an elderly lady who has now gone into care. I think the issue has only become apparent now that the house is on the market. My understanding is that the neighbours befriended her and then built on her land. It would be funny if someone with oodles of cash bought the house and then built a massive breeze block wall on their land right up against their doors and windows.

I also realised that it would be nigh on impossible to move the bathroom (which is behind their extension) upstairs, because they have probably built over the drains.

It's an absolute shocker - I've never seen anything like it. There was no access out of the rear garden at all, and the front was up steep steps - I don't know how the bins got put out - no doubt by the "friendly" neighbours. And their house (which is extended to every boundary on their own land, and then some more) looms right over the property.

Grrr.

It's been on the market for a while and was checked out by a developer who was a solicitor. He decided it wasn't worth touching. Not surprising that it seemed too good for the price. I think it's completely unsaleable.

BitterAndTwisted

She's gone into care and her presumably only asset is unsellable. Prison would be too good for those foul neighbours. Please grass them up to the planning dept. Please.

Horseunderwater

I believe something like that has to be reported inside of 12 years as the land will become legally theirs after that period and then nothing can be done. SO PLEASE get in touch with local planning dept and report them.

g_attrill

Also I think usually the property's insurers cover this sort of thing, because it devalues the property and can make it unsaleable?