chimney removal

[arl]

Hi, my neighbours in our victorian terrace want to extend thier kitchen and spare bedroom by removing the chimney breasts on the party wall. They have been told that they would need to remove the shared chimney stack as well.
We dont currently use the chimney but im am concerned that the stack removal will possibly cause problems such as damage to our roof, damp etc. They are intending to sell the property after the work is completed and Im worried that if there are any problems we would be left to sort them out. I guess they need our written permission to carry out the work but are they obliged to give us guarentees and certificates that any structural work has been done properly.
The other thing is at some point we are intending to partially open up our kitchen to insert a cooker with an extractor fan conceeled in the remaining chimney breast. Would this need a chimney to vent to?
Whilst ideally i would prefer to just tell my neighbours they cant do the work I can see why they want to do it (the kitchens are tiny and with the current door and window arrangement it is not possible to fit a continuous row of units against any of the four walls). So really i need to know if there are any sound reasons why i shouldnt allow them to go ahead with this work . I dont want to fall out with them over this.

I should add that the house is not in a conservation area or listed.

 

[thiambal]

Hmmm treat this with suspicion. I guess if they intend to remove their chimeny stack with the chimney breast there could be implications for your. However, our house has had the chimney breast removed to upstairs ceiling level and the stack left in situ. The stack is supported on our side within the roof space and just capped on the top. No removal or alternations to next doors chimney at all.

 

[jess marley]

My understanding of this is that within Greater London, both parties own the wall all the way up, all the way through. Outside London, i.e, Liverpool, both parties own half the depth of the wall each, all the way up. Check with your local council's building control dept' about the need for you neighbour to apply for a 'Party Wall Award' BEFORE WORK STARTS. We needed one on our last house as we were removing part of a chimney stack, and it means that you can commision a surveyor to inspect both sides of the wall before and after works to check for damage etc. You do not have to accept the surveyor involved with next door, but may appoint your own- and the best bit is, at their expense...
The surveyor should look after your interests in this.
Contact your council, and a surveyor for more info.
Hope this helps.

 

[Mark]

be clear about the chimney structure as well. It isnt unknown for the chimney of one property to cross over into the other side of the chimney on its way up.

I think the best solution would be for them to remove the lower chimney brest and have suitab;e steel beam inserted to support the rest of the stack.

 

[Lime]

arl you need to read this:-

Party Wall etc. Act 1996

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1996/1996040.htm

 

[Penners]

In your shoes, I think the aspect of this that would worry me the most is the fact that your neighbours plan to sell up once the job is finished. So there's a distinct risk that they'll just accept the lowest quote from any old builder who will knock off the job as quickly and cheaply as possible.

So I think you're quite right that the ramifications for your roof could be serious.

 

[Nemesis]

I'd also be concerned about stack removal - it would spoil the terrace and devalue your home.

Using a chimney to vent a cooker has problems though - can cause condensation and damp difficulties.