While your home decoration choices typically aren’t your neighbours’ decision, if you share a party wall, chances are you’ll need to give your neighbour notice, in writing, about what you plan to do before you begin your loft conversion. Many homes in the Croydon, Sutton and Lewisham areas share an adjoining wall with their neighbours. So, it’s important to know what options and limitations exist for loft extensions in these situations.
What is a Party Wall?
A party wall is a wall in your home owned by you and your neighbour. It’s a wall that joins both properties and is typically found in a terraced or semi-detached home.
How the Party Wall Act Affects Your Loft Conversion
In 1996, the Party Wall Act was created to protect the interests of both homeowners who share a party wall. The act gives you the right to carry out projects like loft conversions and loft extensions but where a party wall is involved your neighbour must be advised.
Your neighbour can consent to the works, or engage an independent surveyor to say when and how the work is to be carried out. It ensures that matters are settled fairly and with the interest of both parties in mind.
Examples of Loft Conversion Projects That Require a Party Wall Agreement
Some works on a party wall may be so minor that service of notice under the Act would be generally regarded as not necessary. Things like drilling into a party wall to fix plugs and screws for shelving or cutting into a party wall to add or replace electric wiring and sockets may all be too minor to require a notice under the Act.
The key point is whether your planned work might have consequences for the structural strength and support functions of the party wall as a whole, or affect your neighbour’s side of the wall..
The following is a list of situations where you would need to obtain a party wall agreement before starting any building work.
- Raising the party wall.
- Cutting into the party wall, to insert padstones, fixings, flashings or weatherproofing.
- Cutting projections from the party wall.
- Exposing the party wall.
- Removing a chimney breast
What Steps Should I Take?
Your first step will be to let your neighbour know your plans for the loft conversion and how it will affect the party wall. This should be followed by an inspection of both sides by a surveyor, if requested, to determine the condition of the wall and the impact the work will have on it.
Finally, you’ll be required to complete the party wall agreement that includes your name and address, location of the project, description of the proposed work, and a proposed start date.
Our team at CS Lofts is made up of experienced professionals trained to help you handle your loft extension with the highest quality service. If you’re in the Croydon, Sutton or Lewisham areas and need help with a loft conversion that includes a party wall, our expert team can help.
You can browse our portfolio for examples of our work and contact us for more information on how we can transform your space.
