Demolishing Outbuildings

dwarfer01

I would like to demolish the outbuildings which are at the end of my garden, they came up as unsafe and need knocking down in our survery when we bought the house. I think it used to be the outside toilet, they are made of brick (cheshire brick, I think?) As the buildings back onto the party wall of my neighbours property and the back wall of my property, I need to know:

a) can i just do it myself with a sledgehammer and repair the walls if i damage them?
b) do i need planning permission or comply with any regulations? the town centre is a conservation area but when i checked with the council, our street is not.
c) what would be the cost of a demolition person and a brickie to repair the wall?
d) do i need to inform my neighbour and can they refuse they work?

Any ideas, or has anyone done something similar themselves in the past?

robnye

3 words....

party wall act.....

best to check with the local council.

but i think you will need to get approval from the neighbour for you to do the work

dwarfer01

i have come across this 'party wall act' before but i dont know anything about it. i have emailed the council but all they said was 'you dont need planning permission'....

trafalgar_2

dwarfer01 wrote:

i have come across this 'party wall act' before but i dont know anything about it. i have emailed the council but all they said was 'you dont need planning permission'....

here it is



and here is a simpler version


it basically means there are all sorts or rules you need to follow if the work involves a 'party wall'

robowen

Seems a shame that you are paying to lose a building that could be used for something useful.

Can you not use the money to repair the outhouse instead of paying to knock it down ??

It would be more secure than a shed.

rob
<edit>
Just read a bit about the party wall act. Seems you have to give 2 months notice for repair and maintenace to party wall....I assume we can call knocking something down as repair to the wall.

If you decide to serve the notice, why not type out the reply letter for consent and for denied permission too. You can give them both to your neighbour to sign to give back to you, this will save a lot of time waiting for next door to write back.

Poppy9

I would speak to the neighbour who will be affected first. If they are an awkward sod you will need to establish your rights else do what you want.

trafalgar_2

The thing is ,they "back onto the party wall" therefore as long as you do it properly it's not going to effect the party wall as such so the neighbour really has no reason to object .........don't ya think

robowen

trafalgar wrote:

The thing is ,they "back onto the party wall" therefore as long as you do it properly it's not going to effect the party wall as such so the neighbour really has no reason to object .........don't ya think

I personally would agree entirely with what you have said. :T

Place yourself next door to the neighbour from .......somewhere FAR worse than hell...and it becomes a different story. :eek:

At least........... it will probably fall under maintenance to the wall. i.e after knocking the building down, the wall will need pointing to make good and keep the weather out.

If you live next door to satan's brother..... do it legal. If the local council say it's ok....get it in writing.

rob

skylight

Count yourself lucky that you can!

I live in a council house ( a very nice one!) and I have an outhouse next to my house (was the old coal shed in a previous life). Its dangerous - falling to bits.

Could you please knock it down mr council man? No he said, because its not our responsibility - we only provide you with a home and are only obligated to repair that.
Can I knock it down then Mr council man? No he said - because its not yours.

go figure......

2 years on? Still writing to them to ask permission. Getting to the point I may accidentally back a lorry into it.

trafalgar_2

robowen wrote:

I personally would agree entirely with what you have said. :T

Place yourself next door to the neighbour from .......somewhere FAR worse than hell...and it becomes a different story. :eek:

At least........... it will probably fall under maintenance to the wall. i.e after knocking the building down, the wall will need pointing to make good and keep the weather out.

If you live next door to satan's brother..... do it legal. If the local council say it's ok....get it in writing.

rob

very good points,best to protect yourself just incase of satanic neighbours:T

trafalgar_2

charlotte664 wrote:

Count yourself lucky that you can!

I live in a council house ( a very nice one!) and I have an outhouse next to my house (was the old coal shed in a previous life). Its dangerous - falling to bits.

Could you please knock it down mr council man? No he said, because its not our responsibility - we only provide you with a home and are only obligated to repair that.
Can I knock it down then Mr council man? No he said - because its not yours.

go figure......

2 years on? Still writing to them to ask permission. Getting to the point I may accidentally back a lorry into it.

The council is absolutely responsible for any outbuildings that are on the site of the property that you rent from them,don't let them flannel you ,go to CAB and they will tell you how to go about getting the council to fulfill their obligation as far as repairs and maintenance of the outbuildings are concerned.