Neighbour Wants to Demolish Communal Out House Building

robatwork

Have you said what the principal 2 neighbours intend to do with the land after the outhouse is demolished?

If it's just going to be garden space, then that's a different thing to rebuilding something that will still be of utility to you all.

I wouldn't be getting a solicitor at this stage but sitting down with your neighbours and discussing their exact plans.

Simon_G_2

robatwork wrote: »

Have you said what the principal 2 neighbours intend to do with the land after the outhouse is demolished?

If it's just going to be garden space, then that's a different thing to rebuilding something that will still be of utility to you all.

I wouldn't be getting a solicitor at this stage but sitting down with your neighbours and discussing their exact plans.

The impression I have is that he hasn't thought as far as what will happen to the space after the building is demolished.

I have the contact details for the neighbour who contacted me, though I believe he's based in London, so rarely see him - last time I saw him was about two years ago (when he was pushing the same issue).

As for the other neighbours whose house is adjacent to the out house - in the past they've rarely been at the property, as I think they work away, and I believe that they now privately rent the house out.

traineepensioner

We had a similar setup with our neighbour. We had a small stone building split into 3 outside toilets & 1 storage area. The building appeared to be on our land and the neighbour had a right of way to his 2 toilets. We wanted to demolish the building to build a garage and agreed with the neighbour to exchange some of our land at his boundary for the building and his ROW. All this was completed using a solicitor. However, during the conveyancing it was discovered that no one actually owned the land with the ROW, just a share in the building. Our neighbour was still OK with this and the land was added to our deeds. We now have a double garage instaed of a grotty outbuilding :beer:

Simon_G_2

Ultimately, I think this will lead to deciding which will cost less - demolishing the building or paying a solicitor to transfer/sell my share to the neighbour (assuming he's even interested in this proposal).

buglawton

Outdoor storage space can be quite valuable in this crowded day and age

Strapped

Simon_G wrote: »

Ultimately, I think this will lead to deciding which will cost less - demolishing the building or paying a solicitor to transfer/sell my share to the neighbour (assuming he's even interested in this proposal).

If the neighbour is the one pushing for it, he'll probably stump up for the conveyancing.

Simon_G_2

Back with an update on the communal outhouse building; as I today received a letter from the Council regarding the condition of the building.

The letter states that the building is in 'such a condition as to be potentially dangerous.' It goes on to say that we should arrange to have work carried out as soon as possible, and that if we take no action the Council are empowered by section 77 of the Building Act 1984 to apply to a Magistrates for an order requiring us to execute the necessary work.

It also says that if emergency measures are needed to deal with the situation, that the Council will carry out the work and charge the owners for the cost under section 78 of the Building Act 1984.

As I'm feeling more than slightly backed into a corner, can anyone offer any advice on the best possible course of action?

Thanks in advance,
Simon

AnnieO1234

Get a builder in and find out what is better, repair or demolition. Find out the costs of both, together with the cost of reinstatement.

Does it say in your deeds any specifics about what the building is for? Do any neighbouring rows have similar buildings?

If I were you I would now contact a solicitor. Making the building safe is one thing, relinquishing rights over land is another. And all six of you need to agree.

X

Simon_G_2

Thanks for the reply Annie - the outhouse building was used previously as outside toilets, with each of the six houses in our block having access to one. As far as I'm aware the outhouse to the rear of our block is the only one of its kind on our road.

eddddy

Simon_G wrote: »

As I'm feeling more than slightly backed into a corner, can anyone offer any advice on the best possible course of action?

Hi Simon

In your position, I think I would write a letter and deliver it to each of the six houses proposing a number of options and asking for feedback. The options might be:

- Repair the existing building (and share the cost)
- Demolish and rebuild (and share the cost)
- Demolish (and share cost) and use the space as shared open air storage

You may get no responses, but at least you are making it clear that you are not relinquishing your rights to use the storage space - even if the building is demolished.

I doubt that the owner of the land will want the neighbours' open air storage (old bikes etc) on his land, so it may encourage him to work with you and others towards an acceptable solution.