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Original poster

Party wall - neighbours unfair

78 replies

flowers82 · 07/09/2019 23:28

Hi everyone,

Does this seem a bit unfair - 'mean' to you?
We bought a Victorian terraced that we are doing a side and rear extension.
Our neighbours two years ago built an extension of the same nature but only extended by 1.6 meters because they wanted to keep more garden. We would like to extend by 3m and we are doing this with our other neighbours on the other side at the same time (no party wall issues there).

We have asked the neighbours if they would extend the party wall by a further 1.4m meaning that we would encroach by 10cm onto their boundary side. There will be a brick wall up anyway and he extra part of our extension, so all we are asking is that they have 10cm more of brick in their garden - not even affecting their property.
I am shocked they haven't agreed as it really will not make any difference to them but a huge difference to our space.
What can I do to try and make them be nice and reasonable? The previous owner let them build a 6.5 meter huge brick party wall! We are only asking for for 1.4m of a wall that would be there anyway!

What should I do?

Thanks!

OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 07/09/2019 23:49

Offer them money.

Original poster
flowers82 · 07/09/2019 23:51

Yes it's an option. Offering money. Thanks

OP posts:
maddy68 · 07/09/2019 23:51

It would cause all sorts of issues for them should they wish to resell their property. Their deeds would own part of your extension!

Biancadelrioisback · 07/09/2019 23:52

We extended our terrace without building on someone else's land...I think you need a diagram OP.

Original poster
flowers82 · 07/09/2019 23:53

It doesn't cause them
Any issues when they sell their property - it's a party wall agreement - a legally binding document. It all has to be done lawfully.

OP posts:
Biancadelrioisback · 07/09/2019 23:54

But they don't want to do it...you can't force them to so that's the end of it.

TruthOnTrial · 07/09/2019 23:55

hat can I do to try and make them be nice

You can't make them do anything.

You sound horribly entitled and pissed off with others when they don't comply.

Similar with your treatment of pp responses!

I think you need to look at yourself, accept that you can't make people do anything, and you cant come here expecting others to know what will make them either.

How awful. You seem to be basing all your assumptions on historical things that are nothing to do with you. Not taking responsibility and blaming everyone else for everything and being very crass about it.

DishingOutDone · 07/09/2019 23:57

I think we need a diagram in the morning flowers - I've got a very long party wall, my extension is "stepped in" as next door wouldn't let my extension "touch" the party wall so now we've got a gap inbetween that's had to be infilled, I think there was a bitumen layer on top, then some drainage ... but anyway that all be irrelevant but I am a visual learner so lets see your technical drawing skills.

DishingOutDone · 07/09/2019 23:58

"that may all be irrelevant"

Original poster
flowers82 · 08/09/2019 00:02

But I would have done it for them! Because it's the nice thing to do! It's what people do in the area. Like our previous owner had done it for them.
That's all I meant.
There's no need to give me a character assignation.
I feel really uncomfortable on here - on this forum.
I didn't mean to offend anyone. I just meant people weren't familiar with my neighbour hood online and also already I apologised that I wasn't clear.

OP posts:
Maybe83 · 08/09/2019 00:02

Are people mis reading or am I?

The previous owner had a party wall agreement for them to complete their extension which was technically on your side. You now want to extend that which impact on their wall which is now technically in your garden due to the agreement with the previous owner and they have said no?

Original poster
flowers82 · 08/09/2019 00:03

Dishing out done - thank you. It sounds like you had a similar situation to the one we are in now also.

OP posts:
Original poster
flowers82 · 08/09/2019 00:05

Maybe 83 - yes. It's just an extension of the wall by 1.4meters of a shared wall that they asked to build that is build also on our side of our garden. I'm just asking for an extension.

OP posts:
Dollymixture22 · 08/09/2019 00:06

Have you had a proper chat with them to see why they are refusing?

I doubt it’s money. Maybe they think their garden would lose light? What is on the boundary at the moment? It there a fence or a hedge - or an existing party fence wall.

TruthOnTrial · 08/09/2019 00:07

It doesnt really matter though, does it? Just becaise you'd do something for someone else, you can't expect anyone else to do it for you can you.

This is the problem, that you dont seem to think it is.

Its not a character assassination its pointing out the flaws in your expectations of others who dont have to do anything at all.

Then the way you spoke to pp.

Thats the problem

They've said no. End of.

Maybe83 · 08/09/2019 00:08

They are being completely and utterly unreasonable. What hypocrisy.

Have they given any reason?

misspiggy19 · 08/09/2019 00:08

As mentioned the previous owner agreed for them to build 6.5m x 10cm on her (now our land)....

^So your neighbours were happy to build on your land and now you want to do the same to them they are denying it.

Neighbours are taking the loss

misspiggy19 · 08/09/2019 00:08

Neighbours are taking the piss

Original poster
flowers82 · 08/09/2019 00:10

Yes, going to ask for a proper chat. It's a north facing wall. And as I said there will already be a wall up because of the extension. But you're right it's important that we speak with them
To make sure they haven't thought something else and we are clear.

OP posts:
Dollymixture22 · 08/09/2019 00:13

Oh dear - maybe I have misunderstood you. You said there is already a wall up for their extension, but surely you will be making that wall longer - so I wanted to know what is there now. Surely it can’t be their extension wall, or there would be no issue?

And you also re using their party wall, I assume, for most of your extension?

Are they concerned about that maybe?

madcatladyforever · 08/09/2019 00:14

No it isnt what nice people do its their land. You have a nerve asking unless you plan to pay them the full market rate for it.

Original poster
flowers82 · 08/09/2019 00:15

Yes - that's what I think. It's a bit hypocritical. I was really shocked by it when they said no. Because they have technically built 6.5m x 10cm on our land for their gain and now we are among for a 1.4m x 10cm.
Let's see I'll speak with them and bring the architect around. I was just looking for anyone who had experience with this sort of thing and perhaps how they might have resolved it. Thanks for input everyone.

OP posts:
Dollymixture22 · 08/09/2019 00:19

Be careful how you communicate with them😊. You have got a few backs up here by the way you have responded to people. If some one else in your house is a great people person (or even a parent or a sibling) maybe send them in?

Sometimes that’s all it take. A bit of charm🥰

Cohle · 08/09/2019 00:22

But you bought the land after the party wall was built. So they haven't built on "your" land, technically or otherwise. You bought the property subject to the party wall.

TwinPair · 08/09/2019 00:23

We need a diagram @flowers82 😁

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