Wall of neighbour's extension - what can we do to it?

TrixA

We're in the process of buying a house - a Victorian end terrace. One thing that almost put us off this house was that the neighbours have built a large, ugly rear extension that extends right to the boundary of our property's garden. I'm surprised they managed to get planning permission for it.

I'd like to understand what we could legally do with the wall facing on to our garden. Could we, for example, paint it a colour of our choice, mount a trellis on it etc? I've done a bit of online research and become quite confused, because everything seems to hinge on whether it's a party wall or not, yet there doesn't seem to be an easy way to tell if something is a party wall. We haven't met the neighbours yet, so no way of knowing if they're the sort of people who would be accommodating or not should we want to do something to 'their' wall.

Mojisola

TrixA wrote: »

We're in the process of buying a house - a Victorian end terrace. One thing that almost put us off this house was that the neighbours have built a large, ugly rear extension that extends right to the boundary of our property's garden. I'm surprised they managed to get planning permission for it.

I'd like to understand what we could legally do with the wall facing on to our garden. Could we, for example, paint it a colour of our choice, mount a trellis on it etc?

Photos aren't showing - have you asked the EA or checked the house deeds? These are the kind of things you need to sort out before agreeing to buy the house.

There's a high chance the you won't be able to do anything with it unless the neighbour gives you permission. You will also have to give the neighbour access to your garden to do maintenance on the wall so, if you put up something like freestanding trellis, you will need to take it down if the wall needs attention.

System

If its their wall then you can do nothing to it without their permission

If it is a party wall then you can only do things if both of you agree.

TrixA

Try this pic - taken from the the side return of the property we're buying and neighbour's extension is on the right at the back.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2412xea&s=8#.VCKZhOcVwgN

Nothing in the property deeds. I also can't find any record of the planning permission in the local authority online search, so I guess that means it was done a long time ago or without permission?

What sort of questions should we be asking the agent?

TrixA

!!!!!! wrote: »

If its their wall then you can do nothing to it without their permission

If it is a party wall then you can only do things if both of you agree.

How do you work out if it's a party wall?

Also, I though that with a party wall minor things like painting and attaching fixings did not require the neighbour's permission.

Mojisola

Well, I think the wall is more attractive than that fence!

Have you looked at the neighbour's deeds?

I don't think anyone looking at the photo can tell you anything definite. Talk to the neighbours.

TrixA

Yes the fence is not the best, but according to the property information form it belongs to 'our' property, so I was assuming we can replace it if we want to. I'm more worried about the wall since it's a permanent feature.

I'd like to know what the neighbours' attitude is, but thought it might come across a bit pushy to knock on their door when we haven't even completed the purchase yet!

I haven't looked at the neighbour's deeds - what should I be looking for?

ds1980

You can pretty much do what you want with it but in the interest of peace and courtesy you'd pop by and tell the neighbour first.

If you did do something and they disapproved what could they actually do however these things should never get to that if you keep them informed.

if you do an extension then you're possibly not going to see it anyway?

TrixA

ds1980 wrote: »

You can pretty much do what you want with it but in the interest of peace and courtesy you'd pop by and tell the neighbour first.

If you did do something and they disapproved what could they actually do however these things should never get to that if you keep them informed.

if you do an extension then you're possibly not going to see it anyway?

Yes, it's important to me to be on reasonable terms with neighbours and I certainly wouldn't do anything to the wall without speaking to them. It's just I'm not sure what I'd do if they were the sort of people who said no, you can't touch it.

We probably would be looking to do an extension, but would not want to extend as far as the neighbours - it may be difficult to tell from the photo, but their extension is massive - essentially doubling the footprint of their original house.

ds1980

they cant say no as its a boundary wall.

smifffy1989

Why not pop round under the guise of your extension is lovely can we see what you've done to your house and then once your in ask a load of questions and ask how the boundary wall stuff works?

They probably won't feel threatened and will probably be very pleased that you are 'admiring' their lovely extension.

Plus you will know exactly what the neighbours are like