Party Wall. - Advice please x

[Jaijai38]

We are in a terrace house and have realised that this week our neighbours that share a wall with us have removed the contents of the upstairs chimney to create a recess.

We spoke to them and suggested we needed a part wall but they thought there builder was correct suggesting that they didn't

We are over that now and they have given us party wall papers and they have a structural engineer coming some time soon and have stopped work now


We have also found out that the same has been done to the downstairs chimney breast but by previous owners so not sure if that impacts as well

So not to drip feed as well we were hoping next year to either recess or remove our downstairs chimney breast on that side to the house to put the cooker and extractor fan there - but we think we can't do this now as the chimney is too thin(?) or not enough brick layers.

They have asked us to submit a set of questions for the engineer - what do we need to know - what should we be concerned about going forward - what happen if we sign the party wall agreement now?

TIA

[WotsitWiggle]

www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works

You can't stop them doing the work, but the party wall agreement could put in place conditions of that work ie that what they have done doesn't prevent you doing what you want, or that their work is done in a particular way that allows you to do the same.

[Jaijai38]

@WotsitWiggle

www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works

You can't stop them doing the work, but the party wall agreement could put in place conditions of that work ie that what they have done doesn't prevent you doing what you want, or that their work is done in a particular way that allows you to do the same.

Thanks - i can't quite see if there serving the notice after the work is an issue

[LouisBalfour]

Yes, it's a party wall issue and if you propose to do the same, you MUST involve a structural engineer and will probably have to remove the stack in its entirety.

[Jaijai38]

that would an issue as in the front on the house we have a stove and want to keep that - ok we will write these down as issues to be considered from the surveyor

[Jaijai38]

Sorry - as they have done the work without issuing the party wall notice can we ask them to remove the stack etc?