Is it permitted to raise a party wall to increase ceiling height in a new extension

[Richard-UK]

Hello,

I would like to build a bigger extension on my semi-detached cottage. To do this it would be necessary to raise the height of the party wall between us and our neighbour. Our neighbor also has an extension but is not interested in rebuilding their own extension.

1) Is it possible to raise the height of a party wall?

2) Do I need my neighbour's permission?

Thanks for your advice.

Richard

 

 

[markc]

By “permitted” you mean can you do this work without getting your neighbours approval and permission? The answer is no. This would definitely come under party wall agreement and your neighbour would (rightly so) need to know what you intend doing, how you will go about it and how you will make sure they are not affected or if so, compensated for the works you are wanting to undertake.

is it possible to raise the wall? Yes but it may not be straight forward and could be costly to do so without affecting your neighbour.

Edited November 30, 2022 by markc

[Richard-UK]

Thanks Markc. I wasn't aware of the "party wall agreement".

[Conor]

You also need to think about the practicalities of this design. Will you need to access your neighbours side? Erect scaffolding etc? That's important to get all that stuff agreed before you start. Also, do you know the existing wall build up? Will BC allow you to build on top of an existing party wall? How will you insulated it? It would probably be a hell of a lot easier to build a new wall just I side your boundary and suck up the lost 500mm or so. That's what we did, works out much cheaper and faster.

[DevilDamo]

Subject to dealing with the requirements under the PWA, it does allow you to build up on the party wall. You would need to speak to and engage a Party Wall Surveyor.

[Richard-UK]

On 30/11/2022 at 14:49, Conor said:

You also need to think about the practicalities of this design. Will you need to access your neighbours side? Erect scaffolding etc? That's important to get all that stuff agreed before you start. Also, do you know the existing wall build up? Will BC allow you to build on top of an existing party wall? How will you insulated it? It would probably be a hell of a lot easier to build a new wall just I side your boundary and suck up the lost 500mm or so. That's what we did, works out much cheaper and faster.

I think this might be our best long term strategy - the ~ 500mm wouldn't be such a big loss and I really like the idea of being cheaper, faster and ultimately it then makes me independent of the neighbour. Thanks.