Neighbour roof replacement

[Roxttc]

Hi,

We’re end of terrace and our next door neighbours are having their roof replaced from Friday - I only know as the scaffolder just knocked on the door to ask if he could put 2 poles directly against our bush which I don’t have a problem with.

i was just wondering if they are supposed to have notified us at all as our roofs are connected? Not really sure on the rules around this! I also thought you had to notify the council if you’re replacing more than 25% of the roof but again I might have that wrong. Our house is 1930s built and still has the original roof tiles and I’m just anxious them replacing theirs might cause ours any problem but I’m also 38 weeks pregnant and anxious from all of that so could be worrying about nothing!

Would have been polite to let you know. Not sure why it would cause you roofing problems though?

This is our roof - our house on the right. We do share a chimney - I’m sure it won’t cause problems just worried they could dislodge tiles down our joining line and not sort properly but I’m sure it will be fine!

Planning permission is not generally required for standard re roofing. As it’s their roof also do not need neighbours permission. It would have been nice if they told you but not compulsory.

DM replaced her roof without notifying her NDN and they did such a bad job that the poor NDN ended up with daylight showing through the roof and water ingress. I saw similar on another 1930s property we were viewing to buy (we didn't in the end). I'd definitely check in your loft (or ask someone else to) for any issues along the join line after it's finished. I can't comment on the rules though because IDK what they're supposed to do.

I think it would have been polite of them to let you know especially as you are pregnant.

I think I would be worried about how it is going to look at the joining point. Is there going to be a ridge there?

I think I will send my husband into the attic tonight just to take some before pictures so if anything is awry once they’re done we have some evidence! I will also go round on Friday just to say hi and ask for the owners contact details in case we do have any issues as it’s been rented for the 5 years we’ve lived here so no idea who they actually are - in fairness they would have no idea I’m pregnant haha. Hopefully roof work is all done before this baby makes an appearance 😅

I would be a good idea to take photos of your roof now (you got one aleady!) just in case the neighbours work causes a problems with your roof.

Take photos and also double check the condition of your tiles and membrane generally - just thinking nextdoors clearly have problems with some of their tiles (and some of missing), so it's a good idea to keep on eye on your own roof. Once one needs doing on an estate/road, others will follow. We were 5th out of about 100 to have ours done in April, two others in our road of nineteen have followed and had theirs done.

We did inform neighbour, he wasn't fussed at all. Roofer assured us that he wouldn't need to disturb their membrane and, actually put extra lead flashing over their existing (for their benefit and ours).

We're semi detached, we told our neighbours, both attached and across the drive, when we were getting a new roof, just because of the disruption from noise, dirt, vans etc. Joined on house, the man wfh but he said it was fine noise-wise, he wasn't disturbed (although I think he may have been being polite!). The roofers are used to doing attached houses and know how to do the joint between houses without causing damage. I did offer to get next door's windows cleaned afterwards though.

Get a selfiestick and take some photos of the roof from the windows front and back then you've got photographic evidence if anything does go wrong.

The roofer that repaired my mum's roof said if they had to open more than 25% of the roof up they'd have to get building regs approval. Some companies are set up to self certify though.

They don’t need to notify you nor the council. It’s nice if they give you a heads up about any disruption though.

Take some photographs as a precaution but roofers are very accustomed to doing work on terraced and semi detached homes. It’s not usually a problem.

Yes, more than 25% and they need building regs.

Depending on the work they are doing they might have been obligated to ask you to sign a Party Wall Agreement. You say you share a chimney stack - I think this comes under work to a party wall. I'd check with your local council for sure.

Maybe it’s an illusion, but the roofs seem bowed?

Partywall agreement I think.

You need something in place to protect your property

That's what I thought.

I would be surprised if this didn't need a party wall agreement. Ring a couple of party wall solicitors to get a view, they were surprisingly extremely helpful when our neighbours started work without one.