Signing a agreement between both neighbours

peabottle

Hello,
Help required rear extension being built, pitched roof similar to my neighbours. My builder has joined the pitched roofs on the boundary using ridge tiles. My neighbour is unhappy with the situation and complained to my builder regards no communication in regards ridge tiled over the boundary of her property,and has asked for an agreement in writing from me that I will take full responsibility for the ridge tiles. I approached my builder regarding this matter suggesting lead flashing,he commented the lead was not an option,it did not have an up-stand? also if lead was uses it would still go over my neighbours property.
Should I sign this document?
Any suggestions appreciated please.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6677415/signing-a-agreement-between-both-neighbours

A picture of the roof would help.

Do you mean the two roofs are lean-to, and the ridge tiles just used to cover the gap?

If so, this method is one commonly used where two roofs of different materials meet, but the detail has to be right for it to work properly. Your builder is probably right about lead being inappropriate - if the party wall was raised to form a parapet wall then lead would be used, but not in the situation I think you are describing.

Normally these issues would be dealt with in the party wall agreement… by the sound of things you don't have one with this neighbour?

WIAWSNB

Picture of roof style, and ridge tiles, please?

And, I presume your neighbour did not insist you take out a Party Wall Act policy? (That's saved you many £100's) If there is a PWA surveyor on the case, then just pass the issue on to them to explain to the neighb it's the correct method.

Did you show your neighbour your plans at the beginning?

I suspect this comes down to two aspects - if I understand it right, your neighbour's extension roof slopes down away from your boundary? You have matched this with a roof that slopes equally away from theirs? In which case, ridge tiles are the obvious and correct method to 'join' them, and your neighbour just doesn't like the idea of any 'encroachment' - so they are 'wrong'. But, this ridge is for your benefit - they were perfectly happy until you decided to extend as well! If it's as I imagine, then the best solution may be to just sign that piece of paper - after all, if the ridge is done correctly, it ain't going to be an issue for many decades, and even then it's only a few ridge tiles.

One of these "Do I stick to my principles and risk cheesing-off my neighbour, or do I go for an easy life, especially knowing it's highly unlikely to ever be a problem?"

dnpark38

What do the authority approved plans show and did the neighbour not comment when they received notification from the LA?

peabottle

Thank you all for your comments.

Neighbour extended theirs last year, we are now extending ours, both agreed verbally the only issue now is with the ridge tiles.

Photo posted

IMG_3156.jpeg

WIAWSNB

I didn't expect that.

You both appear to have the same tiles, so I wonder why weren't they interlocked as a continuous roof?

What's your main roof like - continuous?

HHarry

If I was the neighbour I’d be a bit miffed if someone started to attach things to my house without asking.

That said I think that’s a reasonable way to deal with the transition between the 2 roofs, and it doesn’t look shoddy. A quick apology for the lack of communication, sign the paper, cup of tea in the sunshine.

It really isn’t worth arguing over.

koalakoala

i would complain too if a neighbour did that without discussing with me

What do the plans show?

Ectophile

The potential risk is that your neighbour is going to expect you to pay if their roof ever starts leaking for any reason, for years to come.

TroubledTarts

Firstly, the builder should have said ifthey were going I've the boundary and that should have been a discussion with you neighbours before that was done.

Secondly, it looks like a nice job matching roofs and ridge tiles look nice but I can still understand your neighbour being miffed, I would be too.

I think yes you have to take responsibility for any leaks that can be directly attributed to those ridge tiles and that is how it could be worded imo.

peabottle

Thank you all for your comments.

TroubleTarts reply

How to put down in words, do I keep it short: I take responsibility for the ridge tiles on the boundary of our property extensions only. Knowing jolly well any suspect repairs in the  vicinity without emphasising the fact of the ridge tiles in future would  be open to investigation and repair if need be.