Can a neighbour refuse my terraced house loft conversion?
If you’re in a terraced property and you’re considering getting a loft conversion to increase your living space and the value of your home, you may wonder what your neighbours have to say about it! This is often dependent on your party wall. If there are going to be changes to this, your neighbour could find something to say about it. Let’s look into the specifics of how much input your neighbour can have in your terraced loft conversion…
What is a Party Wall Agreement?
A Party Wall Agreement is a procedure that allows the resolution of disputes caused by the proposal of works that affect the party wall. It relates to party walls, structures and excavations in the neighbouring buildings. You will require a Party Wall Agreement if your loft conversion includes works that will modify the wall that your properties share.
When would I have to let my neighbour know about works on my home?
You don’t always have to let your neighbour know about work that you may complete on your home. If you aren’t going to make any structural alterations to the party wall between your property and your neighbour’s, you won’t need to notify them of any work. It’s only if there are modifications needed on the shared wall that you will need to give them notice. You will need to notify your neighbours in the following instances:
- When you are building on or at the boundary of your properties
- When you’re working on an existing party wall or party structure
- When you will be digging below and near to the foundation level of your neighbour’s property
You might be wondering about specific examples for when you may need to notify your neighbours. You may be altering your party wall when you have to insert new steel beams to support your loft conversion’s structure, of when you have to underpin the wall to deepen the foundations of your new structure.
What are the guidelines when letting a neighbour know about construction works?
If your loft conversion in your terraced property requires work done to the party wall, then your neighbour will need to be notified. They will need written notice at least two months in advance. Up to a year in advance is usually optimal. Your neighbour will have three options when they have been provided with notice:
- Consent to the construction work
- Refuse, in which case a dispute resolution process will begin, and a surveyor will be involved
- Give counter notice, detailing any works they would propose in addition or instead (if these works benefit their property, they will be responsible for partial payment)
It’s important to note that even if your neighbour ‘refuses’, they can’t stop your loft conversion from happening. Instead, there will have to be a negotiation process, and there may have to be a different process to achieve the loft conversion of your dreams in your terraced home.
If you’d like to find out more about the process of getting your loft conversion for a terraced property, our team at Touchstone Lofts has the expertise you need to get you all the necessary information. Get in touch with us and see what we can do for your home, we can even handle the planning permissions and permitted development processes. Give us a call on 0800 881 8194 or email sales@touchstonelofts.co.uk.