dodgems2023

Just to give some context regarding the type of neighbour I am dealing with...... Since I told the neighbour I was digging a trial pit hole to find how deep the foundations were, I left my property for a couple of hours, and came back to find the board that I had carefully placed to cover the hole had been dislodged and the hole was exposed....

Hi all, I live in a basement flat. My garden is at a higher level than my flat. So I want to excavate some of my garden, to drop the levels down to my flat, so I can use it more easily. I have informed my neighbour about this, and they are concerned that my excavations will compromise their garden, which has the same levels as mine - which I can understand. They are also concerned about the high brick garden boundary wall between us falling down - which I can also undertsand. I spoke to a structural engineer who recommended digging trial pits. So I dug a trial pit, and can see that the garden boundary wall extends down towards the same level as my basement floor. I have also found an old retaining wall perpendicular to the garden boundary wall. So it appears that the area I want to excavate, has been infilled many years ago as I found plastic in the trial pit I dug. As I want to avoid all Party Wall Notices, and nosey neighbours, I will be getting a structural engineer to design above any existing foundations, by stepping up/away. They will also design a retaining structure against the garden boundary wall. I have informed my neighbour if this, but they are not satisfied and wants it all in writing - if I do not - that they would follow up with legal action......which would cause delays to my build. So I told the neighbour I would try to get a surveyor or and engineer to confirm that my proposed work does not fall under the Party Wall Act, and let him know in due course. However, I have since been told I don't legally obliged to give them anything in writing! Can anyone advise on what the best process is with dealing with this type of neighbour? During my conversation with the neighbour they told me that the garden wall is theirs! I do not believe them, as we have a shared rainwater down pipe between our properties, that is on my side of the chimney stack, and the downpipes is directly centred on the boundary wall. Does anyone know how I can prove the garden boundary wall is either shared or belongs to my freehold? I already checked land registry which tells me nothing.

Thanks all! No, I don't think the existing flat even currently complies with Part M (1) visitable dwellings You don't enter at the principal storey where there is a WC or other habitable rooms. The existing side (main entrance) door, opens out. Then to enter the flat you step down onto the first step of a stair case down to habitable rooms. The new additional front door I am proposing will have external steps down to a door. So you will enter (more or less) at the same storey as habitable rooms. But I just couldn't find anything on how high or low a door threshold can be above the ground immediately outside it!

I have a question regarding building regulations and adding new doors to a lower ground floor victorian flat (which was part of a house conversion 70 years ago). I am installing new steps down to a new door and I am considering how low the ground/landing outside the door can be. I have 3 options so far: 1) the external landing outside the new front door to be 15mm lower than the door threshold, and to form part of steps that go up to street level. This means that water running down the steps would pass over the landing (outside the door) before sloping away to a garden patio 150mm lower (than the landing) where there is a gulley. 2) Same as 1) except the door sill to be 75mm higher than the external landing. 3) the external landing outside the door to be about 220mm lower than the door threshold. So you have to step up to the door and over the threshold to get inside. Any suggestions much appreciated! Fyi, I have also have an existing side access door which opens up to a staircase inside the flat which I am replacing as they are pretty dangerous!

Hey Conor, Yes, there is already an existing terrace / big landing with 1m high metal balustrade over an outdoor storage room below. This will all be demolished and replaced with a full width single storey extension. Part of the new extension that replaces the existing landing, will be at the same height. The rest of the extension will be higher (3m) and only accessible for maintenance. Instead of metal balustrading, Im thinking of proposing 215 x 1500mm high parapet walls / guarding for privacy. The Local Authority will probably want 1700mm high privacy screens, but there isn't any in the existing - so I think it's unreasonable. Unfortunately the 1700mm privacy screen will probably be a Planning Condition - I just need to figure out how to get around it 🤔 Any ideas?? I spoke to Sika who advised best surface for trafficked roof terraces used as amenity spaces and furniture are: 1) Cold applied felting with pavers on pedestals on top ( warm roof build up) 2) liquid applied membrane ( cold roof build up) I just need to check if there is a 3rd Option, with a bitumen / asphalt / liquid applied floor finish, suited to variable loads and high traffic on a warm roof build up.

I'd like to extend my flat with a new single storey extension. A section of the roof is a shared party structure with the upstairs flat / neighbour (who are tenants). The neighbours will want to use part of the roof as a walk on terrace with tables and chairs, plants etc, which is fine. I just need to design it in with a structural engineer to take the load, and choose the most hard wearing low maintenance finish to the roof, that is tenant proof! So options I'm considering on a concrete deck as a base with insulation on top are: 1) GRP walk on grippy membrane 2) Paving on small pedestals 3) bitumen / polyurethane type membrane (hot applied) 4) cold liquid applied membrane If the roof terrace belonged solely to me, I would do paving slabs on pedestals, as it's the nicest looking solution. However, as the roof terrace will be used by the neighbours, who do not have a good track record with maintenance - what is the best solution? Or am I missing other options? Look forward to any advice / suggestions!