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Original poster

Beat time during purchase to approach neighbours about party wall

39 replies

samosamo · 05/02/2021 22:52

Hi all,

I need help with this one. I'll be doing a loft conversion on a house im buying a flat it won't need PP. When and how is the best way to approach neighbours about this? After exchange? After completion? As we're new should we just post the usual letter, or even during covid times should we knock the door?

I'm really stuck on this one abd we want to get start as soon as we complete because we'll get the loft done before we move in.....

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
samosamo · 05/02/2021 22:53

Sorry for typo in title. BEST time

OP posts:
HouseyHouse21 · 05/02/2021 23:29

After you complete. You can't start enter into any sort of agreement for a property that you don't own yet. And it might be nice to at least say hello before you start issuing notices but it'll depend on the neighbour, I suppose.

minipie · 05/02/2021 23:32

I believe for party wall works you need to give at least two months’ written notice before you start work. It can also take a while to appoint party wall surveyors if they want to use one.

I would probably send an informal note first introducing yourself and explaining your plans for the loft informally. Then the formal notice shortly after.

LemonViolet · 06/02/2021 06:45

You can’t ‘get started’ as soon as you complete though (if you mean actual building work!) - it can take months to negotiate and get the surveys done etc and that can’t start until you own the property. I have the paperwork from previous owners of our house from when our neighbours did this, and it’s 5-6 months from when they first start communications/my side appoint a party wall surveyor, until the party wall agreement is issued.

Original poster
samosamo · 06/02/2021 08:17

I'm surprised I'd have to wait until completion. Why might that be?

I'm aware that you can make planning applications for properties you don't yet own.

About the party wall negotiations. I see that it can take months, but 'must' it takes months if you have neighbours who are ok with things? My neighbour in a previous home did an extension and the party wall part was quite quick because I didn't have any big problems with it.

OP posts:
HidingFromDD · 06/02/2021 08:20

Do you own the attic space? I thought there were different rules for flats as the roof essentially belongs to everyone

Original poster
samosamo · 06/02/2021 08:22

It's a house.

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orangejuicer · 06/02/2021 08:23

If they give consent for you to start early then you can!

Original poster
samosamo · 06/02/2021 08:44

I'm hoping the neighbours will be cooperative. There are so many loft conversions on the street, at least 30% of the houses.

We have 3 children here under 5 and we're currently living without a garden. We've had one lockdown like that and we'd really like them to have the chance to run around in the garden this summer!

Perhaps I'll outline our situation in the informal letter. If it were just adults no kids we'd rough out the building works, of course.

OP posts:
huuuuunnnndderrricks · 06/02/2021 08:55

Any do you need to speak to them ? For access? Or because it's a semi? Your OP is confusing because it says flat .

MadisonAvenue · 06/02/2021 08:57

Are you buying a house or a flat? It’s unclear in your post.

huuuuunnnndderrricks · 06/02/2021 09:07

You'd have to wait until completion because it's not yours .. the sale might fall though so I wouldn't engage with anyone Until they had completed .

Dinosauraddict · 06/02/2021 10:06

I wouldn't engage with a potential new neighbour on this until you've actually bought the house. Have you even exchanged?

Slub · 06/02/2021 10:33

I'll be doing a loft conversion on a house I'm buying a flat

Very confusing Confused

Beaniecats · 06/02/2021 10:37

I wouldn't be engaging with anyone who isn't the owner of the property
I don't see how you can submit legal notices for a property you don't have legal title to
If a flat its likely you don't own the loft

Beaniecats · 06/02/2021 10:38

And you will definitely need building regulations if not planning

PresentingPercy · 06/02/2021 10:39

It’s a top floor flat with a loft that can be converted. The flat is in a house.

You have to factor in a wait to do anything with buildings. Including loft conversions. Who can actually design this when you don’t own it? Who can check for headroom and ensure fire safety? It’s really too soon to get going when you don’t own it.

It’s not the same as planning permission.

minipie · 06/02/2021 10:43

@samosamo

I'm surprised I'd have to wait until completion. Why might that be?

I'm aware that you can make planning applications for properties you don't yet own.

About the party wall negotiations. I see that it can take months, but 'must' it takes months if you have neighbours who are ok with things? My neighbour in a previous home did an extension and the party wall part was quite quick because I didn't have any big problems with it.

Your neighbours can agree to shorten the party wall notice period. But you have to ask for this, and they have to agree. If they don’t agree then there has to be at least a 2 month delay from serving notice to starting.

Given they don’t know you yet, that may make them less inclined to agree to special favours like shortening notice period. Obviously you can ask, but don’t count on it in your plans.

Living through a loft conversion is a lot less disruptive than living through, say, a kitchen extension.

LIZS · 06/02/2021 10:45

What makes you think it would not need pp? Or would you as later posts suggest? Is there any point putting money towards it until you have completed?

Original poster
samosamo · 06/02/2021 11:20

I meant to say as I'm NOT buying a flat. This is a new phone and I'm often writing gibberish on it, accidentally erasing words etc. Sorry for wasting your thinking time!!!

It's a terraced house.

I didn't know it was AT LEAST two months. Ugh. That's good to know. Now I think I'm looking at building works while homeschooling and wfh during a summer lockdown.

I might go and cry somewhere now.....

I was thinking it could go: exchange contracts; approach neighbours informally so we are at least human beings to them and they can see we are not inconsiderate types; formal notice to follow soon after. Complete while this is happening and then within month or so after completion the first works can begin. That was my hope tbh. Hope beyond hope, it appears.

OP posts:
MoveOnTheCards · 06/02/2021 11:30

Now I think I'm looking at building works while homeschooling and wfh during a summer lockdown.

So is you neighbour-to-be it seems. I would be prepared for them to be more than happy with a two month delay to works starting if it means lockdowns will be closer to being eased and they’re not as captive with all the disruption.

user1471538283 · 06/02/2021 11:39

I would wait until you complete. You do not legally own it until then. Usually I would then approach the nrighbours but from my previous experience with the most selfish neighbours in the world I will not next time.

Original poster
samosamo · 06/02/2021 11:41

That's true about their experience of it. I've never much been bothered by neighbours works, but agree some really are.

OP posts:
PanamaPattie · 06/02/2021 11:42

Are you buying a house that is too small and so you need a loft conversion?

Original poster
samosamo · 06/02/2021 11:51

Yes. A house near our primary school big enough for our needs is maybe £700000-£1m out of budget!!! So ridiculous it's funny.

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