Neighbours extension quality and boundary issues

Embea

My neighbour has built a single storey extension by extending their existing garage out. So there was already a wall there, it’s now just higher. Both my property and the neighbours garage are practically on the border line but with a very small gap so they are not connected. The brick work of the extension is of poor quality and not straight and they have fixed something in between my property and the new wall without asking for my permission. It actually looks like my property is propping up the extension. I’m also concerned about potential damage to my property. Has anyone experienced something similar? What would be the best steps to take? 

Embea

 Photo for reference, my property is on the left and new extension on the right

grumbler

I'd contact the Building Control in your council. The foundation of the existing wall must be adequate for supporting the wall and the roof of extension. Most likely, it wasn't the case.

And there has to be a visible gap between the walls. It's possible, that there is no gap because of the poor foundation - the wall was unstable and leaned to your house.

Even if it's a permitted development, it still needs the BC approval.

The_Unready

That. Is. Shocking!

robatwork

Embea said:

 Photo for reference, my property is on the left and new extension on the right

Absolute horror show - have you stood where you took the photo from with the neighbour and expressed your disapproval?

I certainly would let them know it's unacceptable and give them a few days to formulate a plan to get that pier (re)moved so it doesn't touch your property at all.

Note I am not in the trade and no more than an enthusiastic bodger so I'm not sure it's called a pier. But I do know that is a professional bodge supreme, and the pointing is indicative of a shoddy job, and I would be very upset if that was my house.

Embea

robatwork said:

Embea said:

 Photo for reference, my property is on the left and new extension on the right

Absolute horror show - have you stood where you took the photo from with the neighbour and expressed your disapproval?

I certainly would let them know it's unacceptable and give them a few days to formulate a plan to get that pier (re)moved so it doesn't touch your property at all.

Note I am not in the trade and no more than an enthusiastic bodger so I'm not sure it's called a pier. But I do know that is a professional bodge supreme, and the pointing is indicative of a shoddy job, and I would be very upset if that was my house.

I managed to catch the neighbour today and showed him the brickwork. I explained his wall should be standing independently and not supported by our property. He was apologetic, he took a picture and said he would contact his builder. I’ve written to the council too, just waiting for a response. 

mi-key

That is awful ! how far back does that part of the wall go, or is just a pillar? Zooming in on the pic you can see the bricks aren't even flush with each other, they are all over the place.

It does also look like they have wedged some planks or something into the gap.

The only think I can think of is that pillar or wall is going to have be demolished and redone properly. I hope the neighbour has deep pockets, or is going to like chasing the original builder for a refund !

Embea

mi-key said:

That is awful ! how far back does that part of the wall go, or is just a pillar? Zooming in on the pic you can see the bricks aren't even flush with each other, they are all over the place.

It does also look like they have wedged some planks or something into the gap.

The only think I can think of is that pillar or wall is going to have be demolished and redone properly. I hope the neighbour has deep pockets, or is going to like chasing the original builder for a refund !

It’s not a pillar, the wall extends back. There was an existing garage building  and the wall has been heightened to raise the roof. The new brickwork is built on top of the existing garage wall. 

mi-key

Embea said:

mi-key said:

That is awful ! how far back does that part of the wall go, or is just a pillar? Zooming in on the pic you can see the bricks aren't even flush with each other, they are all over the place.

It does also look like they have wedged some planks or something into the gap.

The only think I can think of is that pillar or wall is going to have be demolished and redone properly. I hope the neighbour has deep pockets, or is going to like chasing the original builder for a refund !

It’s not a pillar, the wall extends back. There was an existing garage building  and the wall has been heightened to raise the roof. The new brickwork is built on top of the existing garage wall. 

Oh dear that makes it even worse then. Wait and see what his builder says, but the only real solution I can see is going to be demolishing a lot of it and building up that wall straight so there is an even gap between your house and the extension.

ThisIsWeird

Hopefully Building Control will condemn it and insist it comes down.

Do you have Legal Protection in your house insurance? Call them.

Embea

ThisIsWeird said:

Hopefully Building Control will condemn it and insist it comes down.

Do you have Legal Protection in your house insurance? Call them.

Yes I have legal cover. Do you know what’s steps they are likely to take once I get them involved?