Is our house now unsaleable ..Help!

SuzieSue

martindow wrote: »

Or a surveyor or structural engineer to check the work is of a satisfactory standard. I would not trust these builders who have shown little regard for correct procedures.

Yes, this doesn't instill confidence either:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10050858.Building_inspectors__failure_at_jockeys_fire_flats/

Hootie01

Hubby wants to not cause probs with next door and upset them.
I personally think that if they have only repaired it because we told them to and took legal advice.
They'll do what they want.
Are they suppose to have issued us with an actual party wall agreement, agreed by us and our surveyor as well.??
Not sure.
I'm just a bit cheesed off as I don't care much for flaky people.

alchemist.1

Hootie01 wrote: »

Hubby wants to not cause probs with next door and upset them.
I personally think that if they have only repaired it because we told them to and took legal advice.
They'll do what they want.
Are they suppose to have issued us with an actual party wall agreement, agreed by us and our surveyor as well.??
Not sure.
I'm just a bit cheesed off as I don't care much for flaky people.

They should have done that before they even started the work.

moneyistooshorttomention

Indeed they should have - ie done a party wall agreement first.

I guess the question is as to whether they can be made to get that agreement now the work is in process.

Davesnave

Freecall has already given you information which is probably correct:

"....it is no longer acceptable to embed a structural steel beam in a common structural wall in this way as it would contravene the 60min structural preservation requirements of Part B Section 3 of the Building Regulations.

Any steelwork required should be supported on suitable brackets wholly contained within the envelope of the building which benefits from the support unless alternative arrangements have been made for its protection ie. next door's loft.

The common structural wall [Note that 'party wall' has a subtly different meaning] can be used to provide support via the brackets assuming the appropriate consents are in place..."

You can check this by downloading the appropriate Building regs.
here:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_B1_2013.pdf

Then, since an inspector has already been appointed in place of the council's inspector, you can ask for this person to confirm in writing that all the building regs, and in particular these regs, have been complied with when the work is complete.

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Indeed they should have - ie done a party wall agreement first.

I guess the question is as to whether they can be made to get that agreement now the work is in process.

No, there is no question here; it's too late.

This is why it's probably best for the OP to consent, but demand access to the inspector dealing with the matter.

The next door neighbours still have a duty of care under common law.