Buying House - Potential to demolish party wall?

darcyboo

Hi there,

Currently considering buying a property which is mid-terraced forming a row of 4 houses. The property is joined to one of the neighbouring houses (see link for pics) by a single storey part of the property, currently used as a small kitchen.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-67001926.html

Now, the property is in need of complete renovation, and does not currently have its own access to the rear garden. I wondered if as part of the already extensive renovation work it might be possible to demolish the current single storey section of kitchen? This would turn the property into a semi and create an access to the rear garden. The kitchen could then be relocated into the extension that would be built across the remaining width of the rear of the property. I understand given the party wall the neighbour would need to agree and we would obviously need to make their side of the wall good again, but just not sure how feasible the idea is, or how much we could expect it to cost. Any pointers / insights most welcome!

martindow

I imagine the party wall was probably built as an internal wall. If it became an exterior wall it would need to be rebuilt as a cavity wall which would either encroach on your garden or narrow the neighbour's room.


If I were your neighbour I would not be at all keen on your scheme.


If you are relocating the kitchen wouldn't it be easier to retain the existing building as a utility room, maybe, then put a doorway at the back and use this to access the garden?

G_M

You can do anything your want..... provided your neighbour agrees!


Talk to him.

darcyboo

martindow wrote: »

I imagine the party wall was probably built as an internal wall. If it became an exterior wall it would need to be rebuilt as a cavity wall which would either encroach on your garden or narrow the neighbour's room.


If I were your neighbour I would not be at all keen on your scheme.


If you are relocating the kitchen wouldn't it be easier to retain the existing building as a utility room, maybe, then put a doorway at the back and use this to access the garden?

Thanks v much for your response, sounds like it's prob not a worthwhile idea, and certainly don't want to rub the neighbours up the wrong way!

The alternative would indeed be to keep it as a utility and downstairs WC, installing a back door for garden access as you suggest. Suppose we'd better wait and see if our offer is accepted first though!

darcyboo

G_M wrote: »

You can do anything your want..... provided your neighbour agrees!


Talk to him.

Haven't purchased yet, think the neighbours would be terrified if I knocked on to discuss this idea!

PasturesNew

Speak to the neighbour, maybe they've got their own "grand design ideas" "if only we weren't joined...."

Or, they might just tell you to sling your hook as they don't want the upset/disruption and potential for catastrophic failure with "complete strangers demolishing bits and bobs".

darcyboo

PasturesNew wrote: »

Speak to the neighbour, maybe they've got their own "grand design ideas" "if only we weren't joined...."

Or, they might just tell you to sling your hook as they don't want the upset/disruption and potential for catastrophic failure with "complete strangers demolishing bits and bobs".

Neighbours are getting on a bit age wise, from what chats we have had so far I suspect they're not harbouring too many grand design ideas!

mrschaucer

martindow wrote: »

I imagine the party wall was probably built as an internal wall. If it became an exterior wall it would need to be rebuilt as a cavity wall which would either encroach on your garden or narrow the neighbour's room.


If I were your neighbour I would not be at all keen on your scheme.

Why on earth would a wall between two separate properties be built as an internal wall? It is undoubtedly a "party" wall and all the niceties of the party wall act will have to be adhered to, but surely there is nothing to stop OP remodelling HIS property any way he likes as long as the neighbour is properly consulted and the party wall made good? If you are allowed to build onto a party wall following party wall act rules, why would you not be allowed to "remove" an attachment?

bouicca21

Putting an extension on the back of that house will make the interior unpleasantly dark unless it's a single storey extension with skylights.

phill99

It isn't a terraced house. Its a pair of linked semi's.


The bit on the side that you're referring to is the old garage. Effectively there would have been a single brick wall between the two garages.


Theoretically there is no reason why you can't remove your 'garage' providing that it is done properly, rights of support are maintained and the roof line is finished correctly. It's certainly do-able.

Davesnave

bouicca21 wrote: »

Putting an extension on the back of that house will make the interior unpleasantly dark unless it's a single storey extension with skylights.

I agree it will be difficult, as the aspect to the rear is NE. Doesn't rule it out, even with the drains to contend with, but I'd wonder if it would be cost-effective.