Scaffolding/right of access to garden

red_architect

Once thing that I would like to add that hasn’t been mentioned yet but is worth considering is that at the moment the loft (and its contents thereof) do not impose any great loading on the foundations of the house. However, depending on the size and extent of any loft conversion, there is going to be more weight up there, from structure and contents in the conversion.

This additional weight will bear down on the foundations which could be via both internal and external walls. It has been known for a structural engineer or Building Control surveyor to want to expose the existing foundations to ascertain their adequacy and ensure they can withstand the additional load without needing to underpin them. Without knowing the ground conditions and age or your property its impossible to say how adequate the foundations are, but it’s worth considering the implications if they are not checked prior to starting works just in case the effects (i.e. cracking) only come to light sometime after the construction has finished.

You could consider asking your neighbour to pay for an independent structural engineer to provide an inspection, but of course your neighbours would need to arrange to expose the foundations in a couple of locations for the engineer to inspect. How easy this is in your particular instance of course I do not know and it can only be carried out practically on the external walls. Certainly any engineer’s report will give you some comfort that foundation are adequate (or not) as the case me be.

Hope this helps

Jenniefour

Red Architect - good suggestion. I am assuming there are only two flats in the building, one ground floor and one first floor. OP could ask to have a copy of the plans and that firm assurances are provided (which might involve a structural engineer doing the checks you suggest) concerning the extra weight.

One more thing to check with solicitor. As things stand now is the maintenance of the roof shared equally between the two flats and is it normal in this situation for this responsibility then to become solely that of the upstairs flat? I have no idea but I suspect this might be the case, or could be. Which would, in the future, potentially save you costs.

If the building contains more than the two flats then ignore above, solicitor will know what to do.

Davesnave

OP needs to know that exposing the existing foundations, "to ascertain their adequacy," would involve digging trial pits and perhaps considerable disruption from the holes and spoil heaps created.

I did this a while ago and needed 2 large dumpy bags to contain the material from each pit + another to take the slabs and other non-soil items removed.

happygirllucky

Thanks again for all the help and advice. We're seeking legal advice before we make a decision - will report back...