Can you get yo your neighbours via the loft?

[blacknredsweeties]

Just wondered how common it is?

In one semi I renovated you could, though surveyor said to block it as we were raising the ceiling.
I have a grade II listed cottage, one of ten, and apparently the lofts are all open to each other, but the access hatch is less than a foot square on top of a stairwell so don't think anyone is going up there any time soon!

Ours was built like this (only a semi detached, not a terrace) but we had to brick it up when we bought it - from memory I presume it was a condition of the mortgage, but I would have anyway as I remember by Grandparents being burgled like this, but a neighbour coming along the terrace through the loft then down into the house via their loft hatch.

1890s end of terrace. Must have been like this originally with all 5 houses linked but my loft has big 1970s looking bricks separating us off (good job too given the amount of tat I have up there )

I mentioned my student house having escape hatches in the attic rooms...

These were basically wooden panels you could kick in in case of emergency. They were advised as a fire safety thing for attic bedrooms (in case the stairwell was blocked). With the comments about mortgage companies wanted the attics bricked... I do wonder if they would have accepted the safety panels.

Yep - Victorian terrace.

When we purchased the house we live in 32 years ago, the lofts were all joined together. We initially had a loft wall put up straight away prior to a full loft conversion about 20 years ago. Not only is it a security risk, it is also a fire risk too. If the neighbours property catches fire then it will easily spread.

Currently in a 1930s semi, and no they're not joined attics.

Previously, in an ex- council house we could. I'd never seen that before and it came as quite the surprise!

in a previous house (victorian terrace) there was a doorway between lofts. hidden behind a wardrobe.
it was not noted in any of sale pack or deeds. (we checked, just in case)
we had it bricked up pretty swiftly.

Yes 2 semi detached bungalows. On the side we are attached and when in loft you can see right through into the neighbours loft.
It hasn't worried me too much as previous 2x owners have been elderly so less likely to murder me in the night I figure

In a previous semi house there was only basically a very thin sheet of plaster boards between the attics. Neighbour fell through it one and replaced it with bricks.

I think it's Shooting Fish (movie with Kate Beckinsale) that uses it as part of the plot too.