Question What I wanted to ask you was is my neighbour allowed to start work? If she is I’m absolutely unhappy with that as I am home self isolating all the time and it would be horrendous living next door to all that noise. Note - this question was submitted during the Coronavirus crisis. Answer As it stands, the Government guidance does ... Read more >>

Question My neighbour will be starting work on a side return extension shortly and I am concerned about the water drainage and the build over of any pipe work. I understand that this is a separate agreement and part of the building control works. Is there anyway we can request/caveat that we want to see approved documentation for these ... Read more >>

Question The fence between mine and my neighbour's garden is in very poor condition with parts of it having broken away completely. Now my neighbour is planning to build a rear extension and has sent me a notice. If I appoint a surveyor will they mark out the boundary so that there's no confusion? Answer I need to make a distinction between ... Read more >>

Question We have produced some basic layouts for the client and they have found a builder themselves to do the works. The property is a flat in the semi- detached house. The flat is at the ground floor with the neighbours living at the first and second floors. The contractor has raised an opening to an internal wall slightly higher than the ... Read more >>

Question Our neighbours' furniture is being moved out piece by piece, which suggests they are moving out ahead of work starting to their property rather than holidaying somewhere. However, we have had no official notification. We're due to go away ourselves in a few days and are worried that the party wall notice might arrive while we are on ... Read more >>

Question My neighbour recently undertook some works and at about the same time I noticed a leak to my conservatory roof. I cannot find where the water is coming in from but it's too much of a coincidence for it not to be related to the works. Is it my neighbour's responsibility to investigate? He doesn't seem to think so. Answer If you believe ... Read more >>

Question I consented to my neighbour's works on the understanding that I should not suffer as a consequence. Many of the existing cracks have widened but my neighbour is saying because they are existing they are not his responsibility. Can this be correct? Answer Certain rights under the Act, such as cutting in to a party wall, come with an ... Read more >>

Question My neighbours are extending in to their basement. Recently the drilling work has intensified and I’ve noticed a crack in the hallway. Should they be using a lower level of force in the drilling i.e. so the house is not shaking and creating cracks as they go? Answer You don’t say whether there is a party wall award in place but if ... Read more >>

Question I have been reading your article on repairing/removing shared chimney stacks on your website which has been very helpful.  You mention that a Party Wall Notice is not required when removing a chimney, but is required for the remedial work when removing part of the shared chimney. Is a Party Wall Notice required when rebuilding the head ... Read more >>

Question Just so I know, what exactly does the party wall award grant that is different from the schedule of condition and our assurance that if our work caused any new issues then we would rectify it? Answer  A schedule of condition is a written record (usually supported by photographs) of the parts of an adjoining property that are likely ... Read more >>