Neighbour gutter overhangs over our property

JoniG · 9 Oct 2020

We are planning to build a conservatory extension adjacent to the neighbour's wall.

We have some concerns about the way in which the waste pipe from the neighbours' first floor bathroom connects with ours into a shared pipe on our property, as well as how their extension has a rainwater pipe that drains straight into our garden, in addition to their extension's gutter overhanging over our property.

The waste downpipe will need to be boxed and remain in place. Do you have any ideas on how easy or viable is to remove or modify the gutter that overhangs over our property or what could be the best solution for us to build our extension without excessive extra cost? Ideally, we would like to have our extension completely independent from the neighbour's extension.

matlob · 9 Oct 2020

Was their extension built before you moved in?

JoniG · 9 Oct 2020

Yes, we just moved in - the current neighbour, who bought the house with the extension already built, mentioned that it didn't have planning application and that it was poorly built.

Barthy · 9 Oct 2020

100% for imagination with the roof

Bosswhite · 9 Oct 2020

One thing for sure , if you get on with your neighbour now this could turn into a costly legal battle comprimise is needed on both sides .

Tigercubrider · 9 Oct 2020

It would be a lot easier and you would have a bigger conservatory if you shared your neighbour's wall.
There is no point in a gap that you can't use.
Possibly ensure that the conservatory is capable of self supporting should the neighbour have to alter their building later.

mrrusty · 10 Oct 2020

I would definitely build from the party wall. I would liaise with the neighbours to design a neat solution - suggest to them it will be far better to work with them to correct what could be a lengthy legal dispute - no way should it have been built like that. Also, the plumbing arrangement looks odd to me (but I am not a professional plumber). I think that needs attention as well.

catlad · 10 Oct 2020

Are you sharing a soil stack?

Londoner2 · 11 Oct 2020

Should have been highlighted in the survey before buying.

JoniG · 12 Oct 2020

That's correct, we're sharing a soil stack. Do you think it would be harder to sell it in the future?
It was highlighted in the survey, but we decided to go ahead - we contacted the neighbour before buying it, he is positive about us changing the gutter but he won't change the soil pipe to run towards his boundary as according to him it already gained the rights to do so (more than 15 years probably).

Notch7 · 12 Oct 2020

I would say build a stud wall against the neighbours extension wall. If you don't want to put any load on their wall put in a steel or glulam beam or triple joist and build off that.

Ive done this few times and managed to avoid a foundation going next to the neighbours wall. If you have a flat timber roof, the weight isn't that great, so you can put in a beam to support it and just fill in between that and the concrete slab with a stud wall.
You need to think carefully about the damp arrangements.

As far as the neighbours roof goes, it will need stripping back, fascia, soffit and tiles, then put in a box gutter.

Due to the awkward roof, a flat roof with a lantern will be better than a conservatory.

^woody^ · 12 Oct 2020

Tell them what you are doing, and tell them they need to modify their roof and maybe drains, but you may be prepared to pay for it as a favour.

Hugh Jaleak · 14 Oct 2020

Shared stacks are fairly common, there's no major issue with that in principle. However, it looks to me like the stack was originally central, he's had it moved over to allow his extension to go right to the boundary. Ideally should be continued up to roof level and vented, but unless you've issues with odours in the bathroom, it wont hurt as is. Also cheeky siting of rainwater downpipe by the look of things.

I'm afraid the time to object was when it was being done, you've taken the house with the status quo already in situ, so I suspect it would be argued you knew the situation before taking the property, so accepted it. As others have said, trying to alter anything now will probably result in a lengthy (and expensive) Legal battle. Your call.

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Neighbour gutter overhangs over our property

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