Neighbours ajoined garage about to collapse - what can we do?

adaze

What's a party wall fence?!? In my experience, a fence is generally owned by one neighbour or the other, rather than shared, although most friendly neighbours would probably regard fences as being shared, and would probably contribute to maintenance etc...

I can't see how the party wall act has anything to do with a fence, the point of the party wall act is to ensure that the party wall is "kept safe" for want of a better expression. However, a party wall can be external to the house, such as a porch, or a garage.

*Tries desperately to keep thread on track *

You may find if you want to build a new wall and you are digging new foundations for that wall that the party wall act would apply as you are so close to the neighbouring foundations (can't be sure as I haven't read it in a while).

For sure you should speak to your neighbour first. But remember that the party wall act is there to protect both you and your neighbour, it will cost more than a friendly handshake, but it would ensure that liability fairly applied to each party in the event of any damage, i.e. your neighbours garage collapsing.

Now with all that mention of parties, it is Friday! :beer:

woodbutcher_2

I'm confused now.Maybe that is because i haven't read all the posts properly.Thought the original post was about an unsafe wall.Don't know where the fence came in.It's friday and been a long busy week.

I'll get me coat.

prudryden

adaze wrote: »

What's a party wall fence?!? In my experience, a fence is generally owned by one neighbour or the other, rather than shared, although most friendly neighbours would probably regard fences as being shared, and would probably contribute to maintenance etc...

I can't see how the party wall act has anything to do with a fence, the point of the party wall act is to ensure that the party wall is "kept safe" for want of a better expression. However, a party wall can be external to the house, such as a porch, or a garage.

*Tries desperately to keep thread on track *

You may find if you want to build a new wall and you are digging new foundations for that wall that the party wall act would apply as you are so close to the neighbouring foundations (can't be sure as I haven't read it in a while).

For sure you should speak to your neighbour first. But remember that the party wall act is there to protect both you and your neighbour, it will cost more than a friendly handshake, but it would ensure that liability fairly applied to each party in the event of any damage, i.e. your neighbours garage collapsing.

Now with all that mention of parties, it is Friday! :beer:

My error: It is a Party Fence Wall, not a Party Wall Fence. Read section 3 of Part 1 on page 6 of the brochure entitled THE PARTY WALL ETC ACT 1996 explanatory booklet issue by the Dept of Communities and Local Government.

This section is entitled:
What is a Party Wall?

A wall is a "party wall" if it stands astride the boundary of land belonging to two (or more) different owners.

Such a wall:
1. is part of one building (see diagram 1)
2. separates two (or more) buildings (see diagram 2)
3. consists of a "party fence wall" (see diagram 3) - diagram 3 is a picture of a wall fence - on page 7.

But, I guess I didn't need to tell you since you claimed to have read it.

prudryden

woodbutcher wrote: »

I'm confused now.Maybe that is because i haven't read all the posts properly.Thought the original post was about an unsafe wall.Don't know where the fence came in.It's friday and been a long busy week.

I'll get me coat.

Read #6, #7 and #18. Fully explainable before others went off on a moronic tangent.

rdpro

http://www.mendip.gov.uk/CouncilService.asp?id=SX9452-A78058A8

If the local council Building control deem it an unsafe structure, they can either force the neighbour to repair/demolish, or do the work themselves and bill accordingly. If it's a party wall, you pay half I guess.

marybishop

If you want some definitive advice re Party Walls contact the RICS and ask for names/numbers of surveyors in your area who specialise in party wall work. Some give 30 mins free advice over the phone. www.rics.org or 0870 333 1600.