extension next door - attaching stuff to wall?

snowmaid

The house next door to the house we are buying has an extension which sits on the boundary. In other words, you walk out onto the decking area, and to the right is the wall. What I want to know is, is one allowed to attach anything to that wall? Such as hanging baskets, or if I wanted to install a bench etc?

Not sure how buildings sitting on boundaries work?

Doozergirl

I'd ask you neighbour. It might be the boundary, but it's their wall. I doubt they'd object to some hanging baskets.

Might object to a basketball hoop though!

silvercar

If the wall is right on the boundary then in theory you can do what you like to your side of it.

In practice you would be restricted to glues like "strong as nails" to attach anything as nails or screws would trespass over the boundary.

snowmaid

Thanks, I find this very interesting, because basically the back of the wall is on my property. I also want to know for when I extend what the legalities of the back of the wall are.

tillboy

My garage adjoined my neighbours house, they asked if they could put up some hanging baskets etc. Having seen the standard of his DIY I agreed on the agreement that I put the brackets up for him!

Generally you'd have to be pretty tight to deny the request though I guess some might so really comes down to how well you get on with the neighbours

darich

The extension should not have been built with the wall on the boundary. It means that the owner needs access to your property for maintenance of his building. Architects and designers of extensions don't tell people this and a lot of people end up with hassle later on.
In my line of work it's normal to allow a minimum of 500mm between the boundary and any structure being built to allow for maintenance.

If you extend then it may be the easy way to solve both your problems at once - he doesn't need to maintain the wall because it's in your room and you then don't need to worry about hanging items from it because it'll be in your house. If your neighbour refuses permission politely ask him how he intends to maintain his wall if he can't get access from your land. I'm sure he'll allow your extension then!!

pcwilkins

If the wall extends right up to the boundary but doesn't actually cross it then it is not your wall and you cannot touch it.

If it crosses the boundary (i.e. is actually built on your land) he shouldn't have put it there but I'm not sure if that entitles you to drill holes in it.

I suspect that the wall is exactly on the boundary --- i.e. the boundary is the wall --- and so by drilling you would be crossing the boundary and damaging the wall on his side of the boundary. If that makes sense.

Either way you need to find out exactly where the boundary is. You say the back of the wall is "on your property" but from your OP it sounded as though the wall is on the boundary.

You could just ask your neighbour.

Peter

snowmaid

darich wrote: »

The extension should not have been built with the wall on the boundary. It means that the owner needs access to your property for maintenance of his building. Architects and designers of extensions don't tell people this and a lot of people end up with hassle later on.
In my line of work it's normal to allow a minimum of 500mm between the boundary and any structure being built to allow for maintenance.

If you extend then it may be the easy way to solve both your problems at once - he doesn't need to maintain the wall because it's in your room and you then don't need to worry about hanging items from it because it'll be in your house. If your neighbour refuses permission politely ask him how he intends to maintain his wall if he can't get access from your land. I'm sure he'll allow your extension then!!

Quite right! I saw this in action when I went around for a 2nd viewing! Guys roof to the extension was leaking and they had the step ladder on the patio! :eek:

snowmaid

pcwilkins wrote: »

If the wall extends right up to the boundary but doesn't actually cross it then it is not your wall and you cannot touch it.

If it crosses the boundary (i.e. is actually built on your land) he shouldn't have put it there but I'm not sure if that entitles you to drill holes in it.

I suspect that the wall is exactly on the boundary --- i.e. the boundary is the wall --- and so by drilling you would be crossing the boundary and damaging the wall on his side of the boundary. If that makes sense.

Either way you need to find out exactly where the boundary is. You say the back of the wall is "on your property" but from your OP it sounded as though the wall is on the boundary.

You could just ask your neighbour.
Peter

More than likely it is exactly on the boundary, which is fine. I would just like to hang baskets or something on it because it is pebbled and just plain dull! :rolleyes: Its like a blank canvass just asking for colour! :rotfl:

pcwilkins

You need his permission anyway. I'm sure he won't mind.

Peter

amcluesent

Even if the brick wall is on the boundary, chances are the roof soffit and/or guttering will extend further and be intruding upon your property. Ask your neighbour how much he intends to pay in rent!