Loft conversion partition wall query please

Akira

Hello, we applied to convert my loft and got permission, however, I received a letter from my neighbours saying I did not inform him of that and I should have a partition wall surveyor. I asked my own architect/surveyor about it and they said there's no need. I also received a letter from the council saying I had permission. So I ignored the neighbour's letter. Today I met my neighbours and they said they only sent me a letter because they received one from the council saying I needed that partition wall surveyor. I explained I already had permission and the council never told me anything about that. I said the letter they received was from people offering their services(I received over 10 letters from builders since I applied with the council). But the neighbours wouldn't listen and said they'd get one anyway. I said I will not pay as I don't need one. Now I am worried the neighbours can get a surveyor and send me the bill?
Thank you very much:)

ariba10

If they do. Send it back to them.l

madjay

They can get a surveyor and you pick up the bill if any of the work is carried out on the party wall

ds1980

Just need party wall agreement and get them to sign. Loads online. As above if they want to be awkward they can instruct surveyor at your cost and there's nothing you can do about it. Should be fine

Akira

Hello, many thanks all:) the work to be done on the wall between the houses will be just the basic plastering, painting, etc., a work that I have done in the house, too, but never had to get a partition wall surveyor? What you mean by agreement, please? And, if they instruct a surveyor and send me a bill and I refuse to pay what can happen please? I would have thought if there was any need for a pw surveyor the council would have informed me of this, before giving me the permission?
Thank you:)

ds1980

Search for template on google for free

They you are not permitted to start work and the council will not permit BR Etc and you will get fined.

You don't need a surveyor. You need the agreement as you are touching the party wall. Regardless of what you are doing it is affected in the works. It's not the councils responsibility to get party wall instruction it is the property holder doing the work.

Explain that is all that is happening with the party wall and neighbour should be fine but they can instruct without anything you can do. Is it a full conversion? If so then sometimes the steels required will be inserted into their wall which is more of a reason for a surveyor but still unnecessary really but agin nowt you can do. PW surveyors depend upon people not understanding the regs and them being instructed pointlessly. Speak to the neighbour tell them the work involved. Tell them that obviously if there were any probs you'd put them right and it is your responsibility to and get them to sign the agreement. Job done no surveyor required and you can start works.
Your builder should also guide. If they don't know get rid of them.

Akira

Hello, thanks again all; ds1980, we already have permission to start, we have had buildings reg involved, paid all fees, etc.

mart.vader

Akira wrote: »

Hello, many thanks all:) the work to be done on the wall between the houses will be just the basic plastering, painting, etc., a work that I have done in the house, too, but never had to get a partition wall surveyor? What you mean by agreement, please? And, if they instruct a surveyor and send me a bill and I refuse to pay what can happen please? I would have thought if there was any need for a pw surveyor the council would have informed me of this, before giving me the permission?
Thank you:)

If its just that, it doesn't need a party wall agreement, so ignore your neighbour.

Akira

Hello, yes, I have just spoken to the builder and he said there are 2 brick walls between the houses, and he is not touching their wall, so no need for a surveyor...I should have asked before, but wasn't aware of any of this!

ds1980

I never touched next doors when doing ours but still needed one. If you're not building a dormer then not sure why you would have needed planning for a loft room?? If you are then i am assuming the steels at some point will need to go into the party wall. That said they dont go in their wall only sit on top of your own "side" of the wall but you still require PW agreement in case anything happened when removing your brick work etc.There's also fire regs between properties that should be adhered to in certain circumstances.

Akira

Hello, I don't understand a lot about permissions, etc, but I think that even though this is a permitted development(or something like that) I still needed to inform the council and submit the plans, drawings, pay fees, building reg. etc., which we did. We then received a letter saying all was good and we could start the work. Just managed to speak to the person who did the drawings and submitted the plans to the council and he said that as long as the work follows his drawings, which should be done, there will be no need to PW agreement. Very relieved, as I was so worried about paying thousands to a surveyor. Of course if there was to be any damage to the neighbours propriety we would take care of it, regardless if we signed an agreement or not.
Thank you all very much:)