To knock down part of our house

[aveline161]

More of a WWYD. We’ve moved into a house which has plans to extend. To facilitate this out builders will be knocking down the existing extension and rebuilding. Our wall is completely flush to the boundary with our neighbours, so much so that the fence (their responsibility) is attached to our house at the corner. They also have a wooden pergola type structure also attached to our wall. As the wall will be going- how would you approach them? We need access to their garden for scaffolding, but will be effectively destroying their fence and pergola as a result of our changes! I can only assume they got the relevant permissions from a previous owner, but where does that leave us?

If it's attached that's their bad luck. I'd suck it up for neighbourly relations and offer to pay to have it reinstalled once the work is done. I don't know where you stand on scaffolding in their land though.

Maybe offer to replace both if you want to put scaffolding in their garden and need a party wall agreement? Keep them sweet.

You’ll need to go and speak to them face to face and offer to replace their fence and pergola when your extension’s finished. And ask permission for the scaffolders to use their land.

Just warn them in advance so they have time to take the fence and pergola down or make changes to them so they're not attached to your wall. You do not need to offer to pay for reinstallation, they're responsible for their own property. They'll figure it out.

Thanks- I had spoken to them about the scaffolding face to face but didn’t realise the items were attached at the time, and I don’t think THEY realised we’re demolishing what’s there. Interesting mix of views- I’d have probably been all for the “we will pay!” but my husband I know will be of the “suck it up” frame of mind…just not sure how to have this conversation with them!

If they refuse permission for your scaffolding what will you do. I'd be led by that scenario as you're going to be seriously inconveniencing them. Keep them sweet, replacement of a pergola couldn't cost much in relation to the overall cost of an extension.