Looking for advice re:party wall issues

laginge

Hello all. My neighbours asked if their shed could join mine, as our shed goes right up to the boundary I said yes but I said they needed to make sure they had the right regs. They were adamant that they didn’t need planning permission for it. But then the whole house started stinking of curry and they've turned it into a 'second kitchen'. Is that okay and is there any issues with this for us? I would appreciate it. I don’t want to be an unhelpful neighbour but am concerned about any fire risks etc.

I have tried to talk to them about the smell of curry, I think because their roof sits under mine all their ‘kitchens’ emissions float up ‘our’ wall and go straight into our shed. 

Their builders are not to regs. They put it a ridiculous extractor fan whose outlet was wedged straight under our eaves as well so their was no change. 

The smell seems to not be as overpowering but it is still there. I’ve looked out and this is their fix! 😅

Clearly not to regs. I’m trying to be a good neighbour but they basically fibbed to me and said it was going to be used for storage, like my shed and did not say it was going to their second kitchen. 

I’m now worried about the risk to me re: fire etc. As if that roof goes alight it will definitely catch our roof. I am regretting saying they could join my shed. 

I don’t want to get them into trouble but also I am really concerned about our risks. I do not trust their builders or electrics. 

FreeBear

Whilst planning permission may not be required, building regulations would still apply. For a simple shed that is used for storage, the regs are pretty minimal, and are rarely checked or enforced.

But as this is being used as a kitchen, and presumably a habitable area, regulations are much more stringent. Fire, ventilation, heating, and electrical all spring to mind. A simple phone call to the local council's building control department would get the ball rolling. The neighbours won't appreciate being served an enforcement notice though, and it will destroy any relationship you have with them.