Party Wall / Boundary Building works

leew

Hi, thoughts on this please.
Neighbour who's Dad is the builder doing the work has started building work to add a conservatory and basically has mentioned to me he wants to 'tie' the conservatory to our wall.

He is a pic of our wall he wants to use (side of wall near drainpipe where his window is showing)


Question is, should he have served notice of his intentions including all plans etc in writing rather than invite us in to the garden and talk us through his plans?

I am a bit concerned about this to be honest. 

lincroft1710

Govt website on Party Walls

https://www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works

greatcrested

He does not have to, but if he does not you have the option of requesting a court ordr to suspend all work till he does.

Start with a friendly chat saying you'd like to have  surveyor check the plans so could he kindly serve a party wall letter? As the link above makes clear, cost would be his.

princeofpounds

Nothing wrong with him talking you through it informally beforehand, in fact that's probably friendlier than dumping a notice and plans in your lap unannounced. If you want to go down a party wall route (and you probably should) then you should just tell them it's what you want to do.

blue_max_3

princeofpounds said:

Nothing wrong with him talking you through it informally beforehand, in fact that's probably friendlier than dumping a notice and plans in your lap unannounced. If you want to go down a party wall route (and you probably should) then you should just tell them it's what you want to do.

I'm sure he was trying to pass it off lightly, so you wouldn't want to take it any further. We don't want to have another thread on here about the problems.

staffie1

He’d need planning permission to begin with.

mclaren32

Does the wall create the boundary, it’s not clear from the photo?

Doozergirl

staffie1 said:

He’d need planning permission to begin with.

Why?  

leew

mclaren32 said:

Does the wall create the boundary, it’s not clear from the photo?

Yes, the timber fence carries the rest of the boundary to the end. It is a strange set up because their rear garden backs onto our wall as our house is set back a little.

Here is another pic hopefully explaining it better!

Petriix

I would have them draw up a simple party wall agreement in which they clearly accept any responsibility for any damage arising from the work. Then sign it and enjoy good relations with your neighbours.

blue_max_3

leew said:

mclaren32 said:

Does the wall create the boundary, it’s not clear from the photo?

Yes, the timber fence carries the rest of the boundary to the end. It is a strange set up because their rear garden backs onto our wall as our house is set back a little.

Here is another pic hopefully explaining it better!

They have already undermined the wall with that trench for the foundations. I'd be getting someone in soonest! Also, check they have building control involved.