Solve a disagreement I’m having with my brother in law- nearby plots we’re watching being developed. X is a house already started and I think at wind and watertight. Next plot is down a slope and they have dug out to level the ground which looks like it’s leaving X in a rather precarious position, there’s no more than 6 feet between the already constructed house and the dug out land for the next house, two separate self builds, I am saying the one that has dug out will need to erect a retaining wall, brother in law says it will be the responsibility of X . I can’t see this being the case as he already had the house erected when the other party started to dig. What are your thoughts?

Edited September 18, 20242 yr by recoveringbuilder
Add drawing

It’s my opinion that it’s the lower plot that has dug out is responsible for erecting a retaining wall.

I don't know the answer to the question. But here's what one of our most respected contributors had to say about retaining walls - he had to solve the same problem as yours.....

 

From a very simplistic (and therefore possibly wrong) point of view - if anyone digs in such a way as to possibly compromise the safety of a property that already exists, then it is the responsibility of any builder to preserve what already exists. 

 

Quote

... which looks like it’s leaving X in a rather precarious position, there’s no more than 6 feet between the already constructed house and the dug out land for the next house, two separate self builds ...

 

'...looks like ... isn't '...is...' until you obtain a qualified opinion. We (Buildhub contributors) are neither qualified, nor expert - nor local to you. Please ask for a properly qualified Structural Engineer's report.