Loft extension built next door without extending my chimney

[wessex101]

I know the Party Wall Act gets a rough ride here, sometimes from me, but this is a classic example why adjoining owners need it to protect them from crap like this.

 

[Fran QVC]

What do you advise i should do?

 

[wessex101]

Obviously first thing to do is speak to the neighbour. You never know they might be mortified and agree to put it right. Sadly I don't follow garyo's faith in human nature and I suspect they knew exactly what they were doing. I would bet they have removed the chimney breast on their side and just built the new wall directly off the party wall. I just cannot believe anyone would just build up their half of a chimney stack.

If the friendly neighbour chat doesn't work I would speak to a good party wall surveyor, I'm sure if you emailed them a copy of that photo they would be able to give an initial opinion. The RICS have a scheme where you get 30 minutes free advice, call 024 7686 8555 and they will refer you to a local PW surveyor.

 

[Fran QVC]

Thanks very much for your help.

 

[^woody^]

I would speak to a good party wall surveyor,

What the hell is a party wall surveyor or even the Party Wall Act going to do about a situation that occurred five years ago and which the OP was not even a party to!

 

[KenGMac]

Would be interesting to start using the flue? see what the neighbour has to say about it?

Any chance of fitting a thermally insulated external flue pipe from the present terminal up to the "new" roof top height?

 

[Fran QVC]

We are hoping to fit a log burner and they will only do it if we extend the flue, as it is, the smoke would come up and permeate the wall. They have quoted just over £1k to fit the external flue pipe. So just trying to find out 1) should the neighbour cover the cost 2) do we need permission from neighbour to build the flue and fix it to the wall to make good the issue their extension has caused.

 

[mrrusty]

I think being pragmatic is the best route. £1K is a hit but as others have said, nothing compared to the grief of going legal. I would just go and see neighbour, and say that it has come to light that the previous works probably weren't to regs. Get confirmation there is no issue fixing to their wall on your side, and no cost to them, which will address the issue and all is good. If they don't agree, only then you can threaten a legal p*******g contest involving their satellite dish, soil pipes, PW dispute etc.

 

[mattylad]

Is £1k a reasonable price to fit a longer pipe above the existing chimney though?
Seems a bit high for the fitting of a pipe that's going to cost a fraction of that and some brackets with a cowl.

Or is there something extra specially expensive required for this?

 

[mrrusty]

Set up some access gear, + cost of flue/cowl + couple of days work + VAT. £1K doesn't go far.

 

[^woody^]

I can't see how any flue pipe can be installed there without fixing it to the neighbour's wall - which will require their express consent

 

[garyo]

What's the time limit under the PWA for noticing that a neighbours work has caused damaged? You think for cracks or subsidence you'd need to allow a year or two. I'd hope that those rights pass to the person that buys the property, but am no expert.

 

[^woody^]

What's the time limit under the PWA for noticing that a neighbours work has caused damaged?

None for the OP she was not even there at that time, and has not even mentioned the existence of an Award.

If people could stop mentioning the PWA that would be good.

 

[FRAN1870]

I can't see how any flue pipe can be installed there without fixing it to the neighbour's wall - which will require their express consent

^^^ this .... but I can’t see it’s a grands worth of work on top of the existing quote. The log fitter will have to drop a flue and cap off anyway. 3m of stainless flue fixed to the wall with a few screws?

 

[catlad]

You would have been better posting in the plumbing section
because I can't see that chimney being legal anymore.