Boiler pipe crossing neighbour boundarie

Davesnave

KittenChops wrote: »

If the OP's wall is right on the edge of their boundary, then I think it's reasonable to suggest that their roof & gutters probably also overhang the boundary...? Surely no one thinks the OP should have to remove these? Or are these an 'acceptable' overhang?

See GM's post directly above yours.

Often these things are ignored, until someone wants to build.

Here it depends how long the outlet has been there too. A prescriptive right might have been created for the flue if it's been there for 20+years and the OP can prove it.

davidmcn

KittenChops wrote: »

If the OP's wall is right on the edge of their boundary, then I think it's reasonable to suggest that their roof & gutters probably also overhang the boundary...? Surely no one thinks the OP should have to remove these? Or are these an 'acceptable' overhang?

It's probably easier to deal with those if the neighbour wanted to extend up to the boundary - finding a new location for a boiler is more likely to be a hassle.

KittenChops

Davesnave wrote: »

See GM's post directly above yours.

Often these things are ignored, until someone wants to build.

Here it depends how long the outlet has been there too. A prescriptive right might have been created for the flue if it's been there for 20+years and the OP can prove it.

Ah ok - thanks for responding :-)


Our house is 100+ years old and the boundaries on the left & right are determined by the width of the house (if that makes sense). It's semi detached, so one boundary is obviously the house it's attached to, and on the other side there's a rear access path that belongs to those neighbours, over which we have ROW. Our roof, gutters, bathroom waste pipes & a sky dish (the only recent addition) all overhang the path (there was a window opening over the path on the first floor but I had this replaced with an obscure window that doesn't open a few years back) so as you can see, I was asking with a vested interest!

davidmcn wrote: »

It's probably easier to deal with those if the neighbour wanted to extend up to the boundary - finding a new location for a boiler is more likely to be a hassle.

That makes sense. Perhaps the OP has paperwork proving the age of the boiler... and perhaps if it had been replaced since they took ownership of the house, they might have some paperwork that shows it was a replacement in the same position?

EachPenny

davidmcn wrote: »

It's probably easier to deal with those if the neighbour wanted to extend up to the boundary - finding a new location for a boiler is more likely to be a hassle.

That was the direction my thoughts were heading in - the first thing the OP should do is to find out where the boundary actually is, and also if there are any specific access rights/overhang agreements which would mean there is nothing wrong with the flue.

If the boiler is a combi then there will need to be condensate drainage and pressure relief piping, and as the room in question is a kitchen there is also the possibility of sink/washing machine/dishwasher drainage pipework on the external wall.

If the neighbour wanted to develop so close to the boundary that it becomes an actual physical problem rather than just a trespass then I wondered if the PWA might be helpful... but all speculation until the neighbour actually decides to extend and also that the boundary location has been proven.

Personally I'd do nothing until the neighbour knocks on the door and says "About your boiler flue...."

EachPenny

KittenChops wrote: »

...and on the other side there's a rear access path that belongs to those neighbours, over which we have ROW. Our roof, gutters, bathroom waste pipes & a sky dish (the only recent addition) all overhang the path (there was a window opening over the path on the first floor but I had this replaced with an obscure window that doesn't open a few years back) so as you can see, I was asking with a vested interest!

You might find this thread interesting too then -
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5623439

moneyistooshorttomention

EachPenny wrote: »

Personally I'd do nothing until the neighbour knocks on the door and says "About your boiler flue...."

Personally - I'd move the boiler flue before the neighbour started talking about it trespassing into their airspace.

Or, if I got really unlucky, the neighbour took unilateral action to stop the trespass - as I would be concerned they might make my boiler unsafe if they removed it themselves.

stator

How long has the boiler flu been there?
I doubt he can make you move it if it's been there a long time.

EachPenny

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Personally - I'd move the boiler flue before the neighbour started talking about it trespassing into their airspace.

Or, if I got really unlucky, the neighbour took unilateral action to stop the trespass - as I would be concerned they might make my boiler unsafe if they removed it themselves.

The problem is that on the limited information provided by the OP it can only be an assumption that the boiler flue is a trespass and that it needs to be removed.

Before going to the expense of getting it moved the OP needs to do more investigation - and if necessary possibly having tea and cake with the neighbour.

It would be concerning if the neighbour took unilateral action to remove the flue - but since it could well be a criminal act it would be very foolish of them to do so. Obviously small comfort though if damage to the flue had led to a death or serious harm to someone in the OP's home.

ProDave

If I m reading this correctly, you have a right of access over the path between you. So your neighbour cannot build right up to and join onto your house otherwise he would obstruct that right of access. That's a good thing as it prevents your house being devalued by being turned into a mid terrace.

The boiler flue might still have to go if he builds an extension as there are set limits how close it can be to a facing wall etc so may not comply if a wall was built closer than the present wall. Likewise the signal to sht satellite dish may get blocked so you may have to move that as well.

moneyistooshorttomention

The neighbour might not necessarily remove the flue.

They might - coincidentally - decide to grow a fast-growing plant up the wall immediately by it. There is one called Russian vine, for instance, that is also called "mile a minute" I seem to recall. It probably wouldnt take that long to climb all over the flue and block the sight of it from the neighbour.

Best not to tempt fate by leaving the flue there as a "hostage to fortune" imo - as some people will try and block the sight of eyesores.