Is our house now unsaleable ..Help!

Hootie01

Hi..we are new and Im posting as Im not sure how to deal with what has happened.


Basically this is a brief explanation of what's happened
Our neighbours have just started a loft conversion. The wife told us they where having it done. The wife told us they where having it done 3 weeks ago and they don't need planning permission. That's fine.
We have not had anything in writing from them or the council and we are wondering if all is at it should be.
They started work on Friday. I could hear them going through some brick work and loads of rubble fell between the two houses. I stood in the front bedroom and listened to this happening
The builders left early as rain set in.
Before they went I overheard there conversation with my neighbours.
The builder said he had to cut a small hole in a breeze block and laughed it off saying it fine and my neighbour thought this was hilarious
He also said loads of stuff had fallen down between but no one would know about this and that would be ok.

I wanted to call the council but hubs said to leave it until he had been up in the loft at weekend.
So at the front right hand side of the loft a whole breeze block has been smashed through and rubble everywhere and you can see in next doors loft. We've taken piccies.
My neighbours have not told us or informed us of this and when I heard them talking with the builders the husband next door was laughing about it.
Is this ok?
Do we call the council building regs department.. I over heard two builders laughing about not needing building regs for something.
We have our house on the market for three weeks and I should think if someone gets a survey it will come up on that.
Help! Somebody???! Is this going to stop our possible sale and cost us money we will have to borrow to pay for surveyors and solicitors. And we haven't done a thing to warrant it



Hootie

moneyistooshorttomention

Make clear records of exactly what you heard said and when - all details you can remember whilst its clear in your mind. Get what evidence you can of what happened.

Hopefully someone will come along soon that can cast more light on what to do about this - but I suspect you are thinking along the right lines to be wondering about contacting Council Building Regulations people.

WeAreGhosts

They should have issued you with a party wall agreement. Call the council's building control tomorrow and they will advise you.
See this for more details https://www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works/overview

Old_Git

phone the council .

libf

If the neighbours builder caused the problem, then they will have to pay to fix it.

lincroft1710

Where are the builders stabling their horses when they are working? You'll probably hear their spurs jangling as they work. Politely advise them that a stetson is no substitute for a hard hat.

Chanes

Phone the council for advice on the regulations. Speak to your insurance company maybe; You might find legal cover is included with them.

And finally, your house is not unsaleable!

References to the comment mentioned already:

http://www.mypropertyguide.co.uk/articles/display/10079/what-is-a-party-wall.htm

http://www.mypropertyguide.co.uk/articles/display/10081/what-is-a-party-wall-agreement.htm

I can't vouch for how reliable the information or site is, legals are not my specialism.

POPPYOSCAR

What have your neighbours said about it? I presume you have confronted them with this.

chris_m

Can the OP confirm that the properties in question are actually semi-detached or terraced houses?
It sounds as if they are except for the bit "loads of rubble fell between the two houses" which could imply two detached houses very close together - in which case the Party Wall Act might not apply.
Either way, the neighbours and/or their builders are responsible for rectifying the damage.

lee111s

chris_m wrote: »

Can the OP confirm that the properties in question are actually semi-detached or terraced houses?
It sounds as if they are except for the bit "loads of rubble fell between the two houses" which could imply two detached houses very close together - in which case the Party Wall Act might not apply.
Either way, the neighbours and/or their builders are responsible for rectifying the damage.

I assume they are attached and the rubble fell down the wall cavity.

pinkshoes

I am quite sure that you need a party wall agreement for a loft conversion in a semi or terrace house, which needs to be issued two months before work starts with details of what will be taking place.

A quick google should confirm this.

You thenneed to go and see your neighbour and give them a letter that they need a party wall agreement, and no work can take place until this is in place.

I would also let them know that you know about the damage in the attic and heard them discussing it with the builder, so will be getting quotes for it to be fixed and would like to see the insurance details of their builder.