Party Wall Agreement Question

sandperson

We are having a loft conversion done (we are terraced). The neighbours on one side have insisted that we build the dormer cheek on their side in brickwork which is costing us an addition £2500. The works are all signed off and are now starting but speaking to another surveyor they are saying that there is nothing in the PW Act to say that a neighbour can insist on a particular material being used in the build. Does anyone know anything about this?

Doozergirl

They can't demand, but you may need to consider what is practical in future.

If their intention is to use that to base their own extension off in the future, then you can have a PWA and get half the cost of building that wall back from them

sandperson

Thanks Doozegirl. We are thinking that they are going to use the wall to do their own conversion at some point. Do you mean we can ask for the money now or only when they do their work?

Doozergirl

sandperson wrote: »

Thanks Doozegirl. We are thinking that they are going to use the wall to do their own conversion at some point. Do you mean we can ask for the money now or only when they do their work?

When they do it. Under the PWA, they'd pay once their work on that wall was complete.

Obviously you can ask now if you want to! They might not be aware that they'll have to pay half at some point if they do use it. The price will only go up for them, especially if the PWS determines the price. Better for you in the future though

teneighty

Is the dormer cheek being built directly on top of the party wall, so in effect you are raising the party wall?

sandperson

teneighty wrote: »

Is the dormer cheek being built directly on top of the party wall, so in effect you are raising the party wall?

As far as I know, yes.

chappers

teneighty wrote: »

Is the dormer cheek being built directly on top of the party wall, so in effect you are raising the party wall?

That wouldn't be normal

sandperson

chappers wrote: »

That wouldn't be normal

How can I find this out?

teneighty

sandperson wrote: »

How can I find this out?

Look at the plans, ask the architect, ask the builder?

teneighty

chappers wrote: »

That wouldn't be normal

Why else would the neighbour have any input into specifying brickwork to the dormer cheek?