Cavity Wall/Damp Proof Course issue

Milliemoodle_2

Hello,

I'm not a regular on here but am hoping some of you may be able to impart your wisdom!

We have today had British Gas out to do a survey to see whether we are eligible for loft and cavity wall insulation.

It appears that we are not able to have cavity wall insulation at all because our neighbour's decking is attached to two walls of our house. To explain, we have a single storey side extension, the front and side walls of which form the boundary between our land and theirs. Our living room wall is also the boundary between us and them.

They have recently had decking put down which leaves a 0.5cm gap between the decking and the front extension wall (according to BG man's estimate) and which is acutally attached to the living room wall (they didn't ask us before doing it and until today, I wasn't aware it could be an issue).

BG are saying that because they are covering up the damp proof course on both those walls, they cannot install cavity wall insulation for us at all, not even in the other walls of the house. They've said the neighbour will have to move her decking and ensure the damp proof course isn't covered. She has just spent a lot of money having it done and has made it very clear that she won't be moving or altering it any way.

However, having had a quick look into things it appears that the damp proof course should never be covered and therefore I am wondering whether we should be asking our neighbours to alter the decking anyway? We don't want a damp problem in future as (aside from it being a hassle), there's no way they'd agree to contribute to the cost of sorting it out.

We were hoping to be able to have loft and cavity wall insulation done this year as our house is freezing most of the time.

Any advice on whether cavity wall insulation is still possible where the damp proof course is covered on two walls (out of seven) or any suggestions on what to do next are most welcome!


Thanks in advance!