Neighbours didn't get party wall agreement

Dunstan_2

Our neighbours moved in about a year ago, and took down the two chimney breasts in their house, which are both adjoining our property. This has made noise-insulation pretty non-descript, and we can hear everything, including their 2-3 times a week parties until 3am. They are driving us mad. We have tried speaking to them nicely, asking them not-so-nicely, and telling them in no uncertain terms to keep it quiet, but nothing seems to work. Our old neighbour was deaf, and had people shouting at her, but we never heard anything. Also, we have had some small cracks appearing in our walls. I don't know if this is due to them, or whether this is just wear and tear though.

I have recently learnt that they should have got a Party-Wall agreement signed by us, but they didn't do that. Can anything be done about that now, or is it too late? Is it worth going for compensation or anything, or is that a waste of time?

Our house is now on the market (mainly because of them), and I know disputes with neighbours can come up in searches, so are we best just grinning and bearing it until we sell?

Anyone got any views about this?

robnye

party wall agreements are usually if one or other co-joining properties wants to add something thereby affecteing the shared joining (party) wall.

I dont think to remove a chimney breast requires a party wall agreement although your neighbours should have had the chimney supported in the loft, especially if its a shared one otherwise both houses would suffer should it fall down....

Zazen999

Hi
Yes, if you start up an official dispute then it can come up in searches; if you are going anyway, then just choose your words if the buyers ask what the neighbours are like...

Hippygirl

Yes, removal of chimney breast does require party wall agreement - we are about to remove ours and I checked with the council. We just had to write a letter, giving the neighbours the option of agreeing - which they have. Or htye could have objected.
However, the people there before them did what your neighbours did - removed the chimney breast without one (and we did not know at the time) - it has definitely made a difference to what we can hear, and also we can now smell strong cooking smells. We will get over this by having our wall well-insulated when we remove ours.

However, I'm not sure what you can do - speak to the council, building/planning section. I think, but I'm not sure, that they can inspect and then make your neighbours 'put right' problems.
Good Luck!

robnye

are you ware that if you write a letter to your neighbours, that if they dont reply it constitutes to a non-agreement.......!

setmefree2

Hi

I had a dispute with my neighbour over a party wall - too long (& boring) to explain- but you can talk to a RICS (Royal Institute of Charterred Surveyors) surveyor for free for half an hour on the RICS Party wall helpline.

Google "RICS"
search "Party Wall"
Phone No..+44 0870 333 1600. (Party Wall helpline)

You leave a message and then a surveyor from a local office near to you phones you back. The surveyor that rang us was brilliant and gave excellent advice.

I also spoke to citizens advice, they were sympathetic but less useful.

If you are moving I would not escalate things.

Good Luck

SMF2