Help! Cracks in my house after neighbour's loft conversion

[savemefromrickets]

We're in a semi. The neighbours converted their loft a couple of years ago. I was too busy wrestling with a toddler to find out about things like the party wall agreement so they told us they were doing it and we just accepted it.

Over the last few years a series of cracks have developed in all four rooms which butt the neighbours house. The kitchen which is an extension is unaffected.

I've resisted having a chat with the neighbour as he's a bit poorly but I am now thinking a out selling and I know potential buyers will be concerned.

Any ideas as to what I can say to the neighbour? Sorry to be a wuss, but I hate things like this!

I would suggest that you speak with your insurers, they can send a surveyor to look at it and take it over.

Good luck

speak to your insurance company. They will no doubt send a surveyor and if its due to the loft conversion, the company will deal with the neighbours insurance company.

If you are thinking about selling I would avoid contacting insurers, then you will need to declare everything to potential buyers and it may restrict who will insure the property or the premiums paid. Can you not skim and decorate for sale?

I agree with fapl. Is it possible to repair the cracks and see if they reappear?

It may take a while for insurers to measure the cracks and see how they develop and rule out other remedial types of works necessary.

As a buyer though I would be peed off if a lot of sneaky cracks appeared in my new house (speaking from bitter experience).

I would also suggest caution about contacting insurers. The cracks might be related to the loft work but maybe not. For example - What trees are within a 20m radius of your property and are you on clay soil?