Neighbours are extending

[Michelle73]

Hi,
I own a mid terraced cottage first registered in the 1700's.
My neighbour's house is identical down to the flat roofed extensions at the rear which were built circa 1950's.

Next door's plan is to now extend upwards from the flat roof.
I don't have a problem with this as its something I'd like to do in the future but my concern is that neither of our houses have foundations and they've mentioned having to underpin our old extension.

Is this a safe procedure on an old house and is there anything else we can do to protect our home. I'm having horrible thoughts of the wall coming down or subsiding under the stress of extra weight.

Thanks for any advice
Michelle

 

[Lime]

you need to study this to know your rights:-

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

 

[Michelle73]

Hi,thanks for the link though I should have mentioned that the property is in Scotland so this Party Wall Act does not apply.
I've tried looking for similar in Scotland but am struggling.
Does anyone have an opinion on whether extensions to older terraced properties can cause structural problems?

Not sure if I'm worrying about nothing here or whether I'm right to be concerned about the affect on my property.

Thanks
Michelle

 

[EmmaT]

Just a couple of thoughts as we recently spoke to an architect about doing something similar with our 1850s cottage with 1950s single story extension (bathroom). We were told that we would also need to look at the foundations, as the 1950s part would only have single storey foundations. We were given two options for doing this - either taking it all down and starting again, or putting in some steel supports. In the case of the supports, we were told it shouldn't affect the neighbour's property.
We didn't get any further, as the cost of this made me go a funny grey colour, but he seemed to know his stuff.
Perhaps if you're planning to do the same in the future, getting the underpinning done would be a benefit - as long as it doesn't affect the original part of the property?

 

[Lime]

Perhaps this will help you:-

http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/current_standards/byb.htm

there is a link at the bottom of the page to all Scottish local authorities.

 

[MdB]

Does anyone have an opinion on whether extensions to older terraced properties can cause structural problems?

I can't comment on extensions but in the industrial estate I'm currently in, there is a block of old miners cottages which back directly onto the estate. A few years ago, a JCB was used to move some earth about next to these cottages (though not dig out their foundations at all). One night, the outside layer of the back wall of one of the cottages completely collapsed from floor to roof. Fortunately the wall was so thick that the inner surface stayed up and repairs were possible. Quite a sight to see though.

You may also want to look at the following video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_6240000/newsid_6240200/bb_rm_6240239.stm
(not sure if this link will work though)

 

[Moo]

The link worked a treat for me. Some terrifying examples of what can happen !!

 

[Penners]

Next door's plan is to now extend upwards from the flat roof.
I don't have a problem with this as its something I'd like to do in the future but my concern is that neither of our houses have foundations and they've mentioned having to underpin our old extension.

Is this a safe procedure on an old house and is there anything else we can do to protect our home. I'm having horrible thoughts of the wall coming down or subsiding under the stress of extra weight.

Do you mean that the neighbours will have underpin your extension if they build on top of theirs? (This question assumes that the two extensions are very close to each other). Or are they advising you that you will have to underpin if you build upwards?

Whichever is the case, I would strongly urge you to seek advice from a structural engineer before you do anything. If you want to add a second storey to your extension, you will have to show the engineer's calculations anyway, when you apply for building regulations consent.

If the engineer says that you will need to underpin, then there's no inherent danger in this, so long as your chosen building contractor knows what he's doing.

Be guided by your structural engineer. He/she is the only person who can give you reliable advice in this matter.

 

[andrew gayton]

they could always extend off the existing in a light weight construction, using a clad insulated timberframe.

 

[Craig]

As I have been reading about it recently, I would also point out that the party wall act allows them to do quite a lot even though it affects you, but it also sets out a process to protect your bulding.

I would echo the recommendation to get an engineer involved. If they are causing this requirement though, under the act, they may have to pay your costs. Depends who gets the benefit of the work.