My neighbor’s side extension has been without gutters for over two years, excess water problems

IamWood

My neighbor started a DIY side extension during COVID, but the project remains unfinished.

The extension is about 90 cm away from my side wall, and for the past two years, they haven’t installed any gutters. When it rains, water overflows and runs down to my foundation, causing moss and greenery to grow, and the soil is always wet. I'm worried this could damage my Victorian house.

The neighbors aren’t very friendly and don’t speak to anyone in the area. The wife of the household is very aggressive to other neighbor so I’ve tried to avoid confrontation. Their garden is a mess, full of rubbish, and they have three adult sons living there.

I’m not sure what they’re thinking, but I’m concerned about the excess water causing long-term issues. Should I be worried?

I could politely ask them to install a gutter, but what if they refuse? Based on what my other neighbors have said, that's quite likely. One section of the gutter on their main house has been damaged for over six years since I moved in, and they haven't bothered to fix it.

Please help!

FreeBear

Some photos would help.

With a Victorian property, you should be concerned about water soaking the wall - It will lead to damp internally along with all the health issues that go with it. If a friendly chat doesn't get anywhere, the legal route may be the only option. In the meantime, some plastic sheeting leaning up against your wall will help to direct water away from it. Won't look pretty, but as a stopgap measure, it might be the only answer.

Bigphil1474

Sounds like you'd be wasting your energy trying to get them to do anything. As above, I'd see what you can do to stop the water affecting your property from your side of the fence.

IamWood

Unfortunately, the wall marks our boundary, and I can't access it without their permission.

It's a nice neighborhood and I just don't understand them. I'm not sure legal action would help much though reading all the neighbours case happening in the newspaper. I don't plan to move in the near future. Here's a picture showing the gap between my house and their extension, taken after the recent rain.

ButterCheese

I would first speak to the neighbours, no matter how awkward it might be.  If they tell you to shove off, or if the gutters aren't installed in a weeks time, I would send them a formal letter by recorded delivery (if that is the right service?  Basically proof that your letter has been delivered to their address).  Give a reasonable date/deadline when you expect the work to be carried out.

If nothing happens from this point, you will have to report it.  But I'm not sure who you would report it to - maybe someone on here can advise?

IamWood

Thanks to all for the kind advice.

We'll have a chat with them (or text them) and see what they will response.

carly

Don't text.   They are always open to misinterpretation and one sure way to get your neighbour's back up.

IamWood

One reason I prefer texting instead of knocking on their door is to avoid confronting the wife, who can be very unreasonable and rude. We try to maintain the best terms possible to avoid any conflict.

EssexHebridean

Is the phone number you have for the husband? If so text him saying you were hoping to catch him for a quick chat, when would suit him? That way you hopefully steer things towards a direct conversation with him, rather than a confrontation with her. 

Is the extension within permitted development or would it have required planning permission? If so, did they get that permission? 

fluffymuffy

I can't see how this has been signed off by the building inspector - see H3 of Building Regulations. Check on the council website to see if this DIY extension has Building Regulations Approval (I bet it hasn't) and phone your local authority Building Control department and chat this through with a Building Inspector. They might offer your neighbour the option of applying retrospectively - which would mean adding gutters, and perhaps much more.

35har1old

ButterCheese said:

I would first speak to the neighbours, no matter how awkward it might be.  If they tell you to shove off, or if the gutters aren't installed in a weeks time, I would send them a formal letter by recorded delivery (if that is the right service?  Basically proof that your letter has been delivered to their address).  Give a reasonable date/deadline when you expect the work to be carried out.

If nothing happens from this point, you will have to report it.  But I'm not sure who you would report it to - maybe someone on here can advise?

The installation of gutters are not a requirement they can only be recommended