Extension next to conservatory advice

SarahLu

Hello,
I am considering viewing a property, but have concerns about the conservatory next door.  As you can see from the photo, it is right on the border of the property.   It seems to have frosted glass and I would put a planter or something there in the short term, even though it's not really ideal.  The issue is that we would be looking to build an extension at some point and I'm not sure how this would work with it being right up against next door's conservatory?  I'm guessing the neighbours wouldn't be too pleased, but they have to expect someone will eventually want to put something there I would have thought.  My partner doesn't want to view the house as he thinks it will be too much hassle and doesn't want a worry like this before we even start.  I kind of agree, I've never actually seen a conservatory like this before where the wall and glass itself form the border.  Does anyone have any experience with something like this, would an extension be doable?  Thanks.

Scythi

I have never seen that before. I wouldnt want my neighbors conservatory basically sitting in my yard! 
You would be able to build an extension, but where is the boundary? Their roof of the conservatory seems to overhang your yard from the picture?
Certainly looks like there will be a privacy issue too.

pinkteapot

I'm staggered that the owner agreed to let the neighbour do that! 

Unless you're *really* desperate for that house (only thing in the area, much cheaper than everything else, etc) then I wouldn't view it personally, for the same reasons as your partner plus how awful it looks. 

AdrianC

Next property...

bexybest

My current house had something similar, however instead of a conservatory next door, it was a brick extension but with large frosted glass looking into our garden. Next door was sold and the new owners replaced it with a brick wall - they said they felt they didn't have the privacy whilst inside - but it always mystified me that it was agreed to be built that way, even donkeys years ago.
Edit - funnily enough we are about to add an extension to match theirs, but if they still had frosted windows then I'm not sure we would be able to proceed.

greatcrested

I suspect to extend you'd have 2 options:

1) build your new wall 6" in from the boundary, blocking out the light /view from the neighbour's conservatory, and effectively losing some land yourself (plus annoying the neighbours), or

2) engage in a protracted negotiation with the neigbours, probably leading to legal action, to extend their existing knee-high wall upwards (where their window is) and use that as a party wall for your extension.

Oh joy!

Jeepers_Creepers

You absolutely have the option to build your future extension on your land, but you would obviously lose a few inches due to what appears to be the case that the neighb has built their connie right on the boundary. A building technique would also need to be employed that'll allow the extension wall to be built suitably close to that connie - eg laying blocks/bricks fully from the inside.  Since their room is a conservatory - with a clear roof and glass sides around around - the loss of light from 'your' side shouldn't be too detrimental to them, but I suspect that won't stop them being a bit cheesed off. (And it seems as tho' that side might be South-facing?)

Bottom line - it is frankly incredible that they have even 'obscure' glass on that side; who on earth thought that would be acceptable? (Is it even that obscure - is that their bunting visible through the glass?!) You can build your extension if you want (allowing for PP etc), and they will just have to cope.

A reasonable neighbour would realise that they were unlikely to get away with this 'extra' light for long, and that the folk on the other side were as equally entitled to have a room built there as them. An unreasonable neighbour will kick up a fuss, but ultimately cannot do anything about it. 

Why not go ahead with the viewing, and ask the vendor (if present) what the story is, or ask the EA to find out?  

SallyDucati

That conservatory is ridiculous - no way would I even view.  The glass doesn't look that obsure to me, and even in the interim before you built an extension there would be a privacy issue.  Unbelievable that the current/previous neighbours did that.  Unless there is a particular reason for this house to be in contention I'm with your partner too.

danlightbulb

Would avoid that like the plague (apt at the moment). Can't believe they got away with that.

Scotbot

I presume they got away with it because it is a conservatory and does not require planning permission but it's  not exactly neighbour friendly.  So you can expect them to kick up a stink when you try to do your extension.
Don't bother viewing

pinkteapot

If that picture is from the Rightmove listing, I suspect the EA knows full well that it'll put off a lot of buyers, so they've included the pic to avoid people viewing then going "er, no thanks".