Neighbours loft conversion

GUY11 · 26 Apr 2020

Hi,

I hope someone can help with a bit of builders/loft conversion know-how.

I purchased a property a year ago, and finally had a good look in the loft. I knew when moving, that the neighbours had a loft conversion installed (this would of been done after 2015 when they purchased their house).

Upon inspecting the party wall, I noticed a lot of bricks missing. I understand 1960s houses, party walls tend to have bricks missing where the wall meets the roof; however, there are bricks missing near floor joists etc. Also, they have seemed to build their loft conversion in the centre of the loft, and isolated the sides with plasterboard walls to store items etc. I can see the plasterboard through the wall. Where bricks are missing at the bottom, I can see right through to their loft, and there seems to be alot of discarded plasterboard stuffed behind their walls and under their floor.

I have also noticed quite a large chunk of bricks missing near the floor, and 2 wires are running from their loft, all the way into mine. I am not sure where these lead to, or what they are. Should wires like this be running between properties?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

KenGMac · 26 Apr 2020

GUY11, good evening.

My main concern would be the fire risk? That is a substantial party wall one brick thick which should run all the way to the roof with a suitable fire stopping material inserted.

Do you know and get on OK with the Neighbour?? if so a quiet word about a joint effort to get the fire danger in the loft sorted??

This may fall under the "English" Party Wall Act, fortunately I do not subscribe to its constraints, at least not up here in Scotland there are others on the board that will possibly pick up on this aspect??

As for the wires? no they should not be there??

Ken.

Alastairreid · 26 Apr 2020

looks like coax cable.
Just block the holes up, a handful of bricks and mortar.

GUY11 · 26 Apr 2020

Thanks guys, any advice is appreciated.

KenGMac - The party wall is two brick thick, there is their side and mine with a gap in between. Just it's at different heights slightly so doesn't show well on the photo.

Alot of people have mentioned fire risk on other forums too, so it's something i'm gonna have to deal with when builders can get back to work (COVID). So a fire-stopping material will need inserted in the cavity before the wall is repaired? I don't get on so well with the neighbour so would be difficult to share the costs. Also, they have build a conversion in the centre of the loft, with their plasterboard walls right against the party wall, (I can see the back of their plasterboard walls structure), so there is no way they could get to some sections of their party without removing the fake wall to repair before putting the fireproof material in?

johnny2007 · 26 Apr 2020

You have to check what those wires do.
They might be just loose or they might be using your electricity.
Didn't you check the loft before buying the house???

GUY11 · 26 Apr 2020

We bought it off family who purchased the property as a do-a-upper.

I don't think they are electricity cables, someone said on another forum they could be two different types of TV aerial wires. The thicker one I thought it was anyways.

^woody^ · 26 Apr 2020

Pink foam in all the gaps, cut the wires.

Remember the next time you buy a house, check the loft out before you buy.

dontbelieveawordofit · 27 Apr 2020

how is that more of a fire risk to you than what was there before the neighbours did anything ?
get the cables removed , fill in the gaps with brick and cement.
theres a 4” cavity there between the two walls, and thats how it should stay.
you dont need to fill the cavity with anything - bricks don’t burn.

dontbelieveawordofit · 27 Apr 2020

plasterboard isn’t the easiest of things to dispose of , builders and plasterers ‘hide’ the waste all over the place in stud walls/floors etc. it shouldn’t bother you. you’ll be well protected if you just fill in your side.

GUY11 · 27 Apr 2020

bennymultifinish said:
how is that more of a fire risk to you than what was there before the neighbours did anything ?
get the cables removed , fill in the gaps with brick and cement.
theres a 4” cavity there between the two walls, and thats how it should stay.
you dont need to fill the cavity with anything - bricks don’t burn.

I wouldn't fill the cavity as I know it's intended for the house to breathe etc.

I think I will just repair the wall for peace of mind. The reason why it is more of a fire risk than before, is due to their loft space now being used as a bedroom. However, I don't know if adequate sound/fire screening has been used. At least bricking it up will give me peace of mind should anything happen.

dontbelieveawordofit · 27 Apr 2020

your op didn’t mention it being used as a bedroom. from the pics you posted i’d say it’s not been built to regulation, but you can easily check with the local authority.

GUY11 · 27 Apr 2020

bennymultifinish said:
your op didn’t mention it being used as a bedroom. from the pics you posted i’d say it’s not been built to regulation, but you can easily check with the local authority.

Apologies, i've wrote this in a hurry not thinking to explain myself thoroughly. Yeah its defo a bedroom, and a window installed on the side of the house. I'll drop the council a line now, thanks.

KenGMac · 27 Apr 2020

Is there a [so called] Planning Portal organised by your Local Authority?

cdbe · 27 Apr 2020

GUY11 said:
I'll drop the council a line now, thanks

That will really help neighbourly relations.

KenGMac · 27 Apr 2020

if the conversion is non compliant and fails in the event of a fire???

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