House with no loft wall - what to do

TigerFeet

My grandpa has lived happily in his semi for over 60 years. His most recent neighbours are now selling up and they people buying from them have been told by their surveyor that they should have a wall separating the loft space. His neighbours say he must pay half the cost but I think they are trying it on to save themselves money and he should tell neighbours that as they themselves bought the house without this wall they should negotiate with their buyers or do it themselves, but he’s very worried. Has anyone got any experience of this sort of situation? I want to help him not make things worse. Thanks for your help.

DaftyDuck

Why do they need a wall? I have a house in Cambridge built this way, and it's not a structural issue. I did query with the neighbour if she wanted me (at my cost) to put a division in, as the property was to be rented, but she was unfussed even then.

Had it been a structural need, I might have suggested we share the cost. It was not in my case, and sounds like it is not in your g.pa's either. They want a division, they can pay.... The majority at least. I can see a point in some contribution, to give some say in type, builder choice, etc. 15% maybe....

ariba10

The benefit as I see it, is as a barrier to stop a house fire from spreading along the row of houses.

moneyistooshorttomention

I would want a wall personally and would only buy a house without a loft wall if I darn soon intended one to be in place and would expect the neighbour had already agreed to fund half the cost (as they would get half the benefit of strangers not being able to walk into/possibly store things in their loft).

My feeling is that its not just a modern-day security issue though (and I guess we've all heard tales of people discovering someone else is using their loft, because they could manage to access it), but I seem to remember its a fire issue too.

Back when I bought my starter house (a typical Victorian terrace) quite some years ago, I remember being aware that I needed to replace one brick that was missing on a loft wall between my neighbour on that side and myself (ie to help with fire prevention between our two houses). I think my insurance company also wanted that done, if I remember aright.

Sorry to say, the neighbours aren't trying it on at all. A wall between adjacent lofts is a modern day necessity, just the same as a bathroom is. I would be saying exactly the same as them. If neighbour wouldn't pay their half, then I would knock vendor down in price to allow for me paying their half for them, as well as my own half.

PasturesNew

It is a fire risk/issue. If the neighbour wants it (probably part of their mortgage requirement), it's up to them to pay for it. Your fella's happy, it's tough t1tty.

Of course, rolling on a few years, there'll come a time when he, or you, will be wanting to sell it yourselves.... and then it'll stall a future purchase.

So it is worthwhile chipping in probably. I don't think it's that expensive, I've seen it come up on Homes Under the Hammer (just once).

wallbash

My first house had no loft wall, so I just installed one, not a problem. BUT did not ask neighbor to contribute .
Graandfather has lived without a wall for 60 years ,why should he pay for one. Fire risk ??? well he has managed for 60 years so that not much of a risk is it?

but I think they are trying it on to save themselves money

AS anyone would, but you have to ask yourself what advantage is the wall to grandpa ....... none.
No advantage ..... no paying half.

time when he, or you, will be wanting to sell it yourselves.... and then it'll stall a future purchase.

But if the 'new' neighbors have installed the wall,win win for you and grandpa.

Old_Git

assuming grandpa is a pensioner ,I would just say sorry I cant afford it

PasturesNew

wallbash wrote: »

..

But if the 'new' neighbors have installed the wall,win win for you and grandpa.

That's true .... somebody else paying for it because they want to buy it or sell it.

Yeah, win, win.

bris

You don't need to so don't do it, just tell them a flat no, you don't need any excuses.

DRP

Say no. It isn't his responsibility.

If it puts the neighbours' nose out of joint then so be it (they'll be moving out soon anyway).

If the current/new neighbours wan to put a wall in, then fair enough - but I would be checking prior, during and after the work is carried out as they could make a lot of mess damage whilst doing it.

SailorSam

I think at the very least i'd be putting some sort of hasp & padlock on the loft door. Without that you're house would be dead easy to break into from next door. But then you think about all the stuff we all store up there, i'd really want a wall even if the neighbour wouldn't go halves. A simple chipboard thing wouldn't be difficult to fix up.