Firewall

[Anonymous]

My friend is looking to buy a terraced victorian house in Norwich. I went and looked around it and we got up into the attic to have a look. I found that there was no firewall on one side of the property in the attic where the eves are - a fairly big space. In fact the household cat followed me up the ladder and happily disappeared into next doors attic!

What are the laws about selling a house with no firewall - the estate agent queried it with the vendors and they just shrugged saying it had always been like that. Considering how quickly a fore can spread I don't think this is very satisfactory. Are there any laws/regulations which we could use as a negotiating tool?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

It's common to find this situation in Victorian terraces.
Of course there are clear regulations about fire breaks in modern building regulations, but I don't think the authorities can force you to install a fire break in an old property, unless you're carrying out other work that requires building regs approval. Then I believe they can insist on it.
Nevertheless, it's obviously a good idea for such a fire break to exist, so your friends may wish to install one (not usually a difficult job).
Whether or not this is a peg to hang a price negotiation on is up to them - and to the vendor's attitude to such things. Frankly, in his shoes, my response would be: "that's the way it is - take it or leave it".

 

[Anonymous]

There are two other reasons why you might want to build a dividing wall -
If you intend to store anything in your loft, it's nice to know that next door can't get their thieving mitts on it, and
You and next door would have easy access to one another's house via a couple of loft hatches.
Better safe than sorry, I think.
(There was quite a useful thread about walls in lofts not long ago - all sorts of useful tips and advice).

 

[Anonymous]

Its usually easy to construct a lightweight block wall. It is covered by the party wall act so you do need neighbour permission first.

It would be hard to see it as a negotiating tool, a bit like saying 'hey, knock us £50 off cos we dont like your choice of paint.'

NT

 

[Anonymous]

I think the reason we asked is that fire is potentially a very serious matter and if your house caught fire and it spread to next door you could legally be liable, not to mention the safety implications. We have a very old house and we ensured we put proper firewalls in the attic as people have died in our town because this wasn't done properly. People seem very casual about the whole thing but there is a reason it is called firewall.
Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Anonymous]

Mostly true, but you would not be legally liable in the event of fire spread. There is no requirement to fit a firewall, and never was.

The reason its not a significant negotiating tool is thats its common and normal for old buildings to klack one, and there is nothing compulsory about having or fitting one.

As you rightly say, good sense is to put one in.

NT