What you need to consider if you want to make use of an existing wall built on a boundary, which is the external wall of an adjoining building.
Your rights
To use the wall as an internal wall;Typical works which materially affect the wall and require Notice.:-
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Work involving removal or addition of structural material, including:-
- underpinning;
- Cutting away any footing or any projecting chimney breast, jamb or flue, or other projection on or over the land of the building owner for any purpose;
- Reducing the height of the wall to the level of the roof of the adjoining building, or demolishing and rebuilding the wall to that height, provided that any existing parapet is reconstructed, or replaced, or a new parapet to the roof is constructed if needed;
- Demolishing and rebuilding the wall if defective due to age or damage;
- Demolishing and building a replacement wall to a height, thickness and strength suitable for your purposes, and/or that of the Adjoining Owner;
- Necessary repairs to any feature such as copings, parapets, oversailing roof finishes, flashings, chimneys etc.;
- Installing a damp proof course, fixing flashings, forming a junction between two differing roofing finishes meeting on the wall, or applying weatherproofing;
- In a masonry wall:-
- Forming recesses for beams and padstones; electrical conduit and sockets, and other services;
- Putting drylining on the wall using screwed battens;
- Attaching duct casings to the wall;
- Plastering, with or without keying the masonry by raking out the joints;
- where there is a cavity:-
- Renewing insulation embedded in the cavity;
- In a timber or steel framed wall:-
- Forming recesses for electrical sockets, and other services;
- Adding drylining to the wall using screwed battens;
- Attaching duct casings to the wall;
- Plastering, including renewing boarding;
- Renewing insulation incorporated in the wall.
Typical works which do not materially affect the wall:-
- Putting screws or nails in the wall for shelving, cupboards, pictures or wall decorations such as picture rails, dado rails, cornices etc.;
- Fixing radiator brackets, central heating and water supply pipework supports, or plumbing goods brackets, to the wall;
- Fixing electrical conduit to the wall.
Work which requires Notice and written consent-
- The use of reinforced concrete or steel foundations, known as special foundations, which are also placed on the adjoining land.
Your obligations
Notices-
A Party Structure Notice must be served on all the Adjoining Owners
- two months before the work is intended to start.
Your neighbours' obligations
Notices-
A Counter Notice for work required must be served on you within
- one month after the Notice is served.