External Wall Insulation and the Party Wall Act 1996

Stuart_Kirk

Hi,

I own a 2-bed semi, the adjoining property is council owned. They have recently written to me to say they intend to insulate the adjoining property externally (it's a solid brick wall building). If I'm not happy with this I have to appoint a surveyor to challenge this on my behalf. My concerns are:

- The disruption that is likely while the work is carried out
- Potential effects of the work on my property (i.e. external render, structure)
- the appearance of the properties after the work (i envisage a 6inch 'step' between their insulation and my existing exterior wall)
- the potential impact on the value of my property
- the costs I might incur from a surveyor acting on my behalf.

I'm waiting on responses from a couple of surveyors that I have enquired with, however I would be grateful if anyone here has a similar experience. I'm open to having external insulation work carried out on my property also if that will protect the value an appearance, however I'd struggle to meet the cost of this. If the council wanted to carry out the work for me, that would be just fine!

Silver-Surfer_2

I think the council will pay for your surveyor.

EssexExile

It's only about a 2" step on houses around here. They don't look to bad, except of course the newly insulated houses are all bright & clean & the ones next door aren't.

Smiley_Dan

Maybe they'll offer you to get yours done cheaper at the same time... although it's still likely to be expensive.

Ectophile

How does any of this work affect the party wall?

phil24_7

You'll end up wit a 4" step and it wont be that noticeable. Your render will be untouched and it shouldn't affect your property value.

I will however recommend you appoint your own surveyor and make sure you take a lot of photographs. I will also recommend you keep an eye on the mess (there will be plenty) and get contact details for those in charge (not the subcontractors fitting the stuff).

Don't park anywhere near the work as some subcontractors lack any care in their work and get blobs of cement/adhesive on the roof of your van and don't tell you (speaking from experience)!

Who is carrying out the works, a local company or a larger one?

Regards
Phil