Buying House - Potential to demolish party wall?

darcyboo

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.

A single storey extension incorporating skylights and large windows and doors is what's envisaged, so hopefully not too dark...

darcyboo

phill99 wrote: »

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.

Ah, I hadn't appreciated it was a former garage, good to know that it could be an option to remove. If our offer is accepted then will of course take a builder to help us determine feasible options

darcyboo

Davesnave wrote: »

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.

Your mention of cost-effectiveness is a v good point... we've offered lower than asking price considering the work we'd want to do to make the house workable, but if it's rejected I don't think we'd increase as it just wouldn't add up financially. Love the location, and can't afford anything in better condition there!

Cakeguts

It might not have been two garages but two store houses for coal or something but as everyone else says there might well be a single wall between them.

Doozergirl

It doesn't matter if it's a single skin wall. It can be added to or insulated externally.

I don't think that demolishing a good bit of house is ever a great idea though, because it can still be used and holds value. The idea above of knocking doorways through and having a utility is inspired and think the OP has taken that on board already.

Good luck with your offer, OP.

darcyboo

Thanks everyone, think I'm in agreement that it'd be better (and easier!) to simply renovate the space versus demolish, but useful to think through the various possibilities. Hope to hear about our offer tomorrow, there are several on the table, not much comes up in the area at this price point so not surprising. Thanks again

martindow

mrschaucer wrote: »

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?

The party wall is quite likely to be single skin. If the OP removes his side something will need to be done to make it suitable as an external wall.



External insulation could be added but that would encroach on the OP's side of the boundary which would be problematic. If insulation is added internally the neighbours room would reduce in size. If it is their kitchen it would also cause major disruption.

darcyboo

Our offer was rejected, and we won't be increasing, so the search continues! Thanks everyone