House Extension - neighbour's complaint about devaluing her house

anonbirmingham

We have built an extension which has a common boundary with our next door neighbour. We have planning permission, and obtained all council approval and building regulations.
Now that the work is finished, the neighbour is writing us letters stating that she does not like the extension and that it has devalued her house. She wants to get a surveyor in to determine the amount of award she is due, because of this, and that she believe her house is not as good to sell, should she want to.
Where do we stand on this? I am really lost on what her and my rights are. Thanks in advance.

BitterAndTwisted

She has no ruddy rights except the ones in her mind. Let her instruct all the professional she likes. You don't need any of your own. Once you get letters just respond by saying "We have planning permission and have adhered to all relevant buildings regulations. Goodbye".

mrginge

Write back explaining that you think your extension has increased the value of her house by 10k and would she like to pay by cash or cheque.

theartfullodger

Be careful: When you sell you will need to declare all disputes to purchaser. Try & avoid later pain - eg calm, polite & conciliatory letters.

anonbirmingham

theartfullodger wrote: »

Be careful: When you sell you will need to declare all disputes to purchaser. Try & avoid later pain - eg calm, polite & conciliatory letters.

This is important, I agree. We have been very cordial with her. We have chatted, my wife has been to see her a few times and all appears OK, and then suddenly out of the blue comes letters. I just want to know if I should worry or just be polite and suggest her concerns are irrelevant (which I hope they are).

anonbirmingham

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

She has no ruddy rights except the ones in her mind. Let her instruct all the professional she likes. You don't need any of your own. Once you get letters just respond by saying "We have planning permission and have adhered to all relevant buildings regulations. Goodbye".

That was my thinking too, but in her letter she says that if we can not comply by her request, she will take legal action!

I_have_spoken

>We have built an extension which has a common boundary with our next door neighbour<

Did you serve a party wall notice and reach an agreement on the award?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4766702

Did she object at the planning stage and not get anywhere with the planners? Poss. the neighbour has been contacted by 'no win, no fee' chancers who look for PP grants and then make trouble.

Kynthia

anonbirmingham wrote: »

That was my thinking too, but in her letter she says that if we can not comply by her request, she will take legal action!

And what 'legal action' is she going to take? Anyone can say that someone owes them for something and anyone can sue someone for something. It doesn't mean they have legal justification and that they will gain or win anything.

Tancred

anonbirmingham wrote: »

We have built an extension which has a common boundary with our next door neighbour. We have planning permission, and obtained all council approval and building regulations.
Now that the work is finished, the neighbour is writing us letters stating that she does not like the extension and that it has devalued her house. She wants to get a surveyor in to determine the amount of award she is due, because of this, and that she believe her house is not as good to sell, should she want to.
Where do we stand on this? I am really lost on what her and my rights are. Thanks in advance.

Complete and utter bo**ocks.

As you have followed all the correct procedures there is nothing she can do. Ignore the bi**h and get on with your life.

Doozergirl

I_have_spoken wrote: »

>We have built an extension which has a common boundary with our next door neighbour<

Did you serve a party wall notice and reach an agreement on the award?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4766702

Did she object at the planning stage and not get anywhere with the planners? Poss. the neighbour has been contacted by 'no win, no fee' chancers who look for PP grants and then make trouble.

PWAs make my head spin, but I'm pretty sure that you can't get one once the work has been completed? I think it's about the party wall itself, not the neighbours either
side of it

I think you're confused about the no win no fee and planning permission. Nothing like that exists - no objector has the right of appeal or compensation for an extension next door?

marleyboy

She is legally entitled to moan, she is even entitled not to like it. But that's as far as any legal action she can take on the matter.