My Neighbour Has Started Work Without Telling Me.

Question

My neighbour has knocked down his original extension and is rebuilding it to the same size as ours.  Whilst I was out at work he has removed tiling from our side of our property without asking and has put up plastic sheeting by lifting our roof tiles and putting it underneath them to stop the rain.  I’m not happy with his building work as it looks very shoddy and not very professional, is there anything I can do to make sure that he doesn’t cause further damage to my property and that it is being built to the correct standards?

My neighbour hasn’t spoken to me once regarding these works and no written or verbal notice has been given.

My neighbour is very aggressive and we are expecting our first child in six weeks time, I’m not happy to confront him without knowing my rights as I worry that he will confront my wife who is heavily pregnant or once she has given birth. Would it be possible to explain what action can I take if any regarding these works.

Answer

It is not clear from your email or pictures whether the work is notifiable under the Party Wall Act or not. I would recommend that you read the Government Explanatory Booklet to establish whether it is or not.

If the work is notifiable and your neighbour refuses to serve notice then you can go to court and get an injunction to stop the work until party wall matters are sorted out. Bear in mind that this can only be done before the notifiable part of the work has been completed.