Demolishing a shared chimney stack

[Gazelle1]

Hello,

We live in a mid terrace Victorian house. The rear chimney was removed from the ground and 1st floor many years before we moved in, and is left in the loft and above roof level. It is crudely supported in the loft, but needs to be demolished really to make it safe.

Our chimney and our neighbour's chimney are joined above roof level (our neighbour's chimney is still complete, but not in use). We would need our chimney demolished above roof level and in the loft, but our neighbour's chimney could just be demolished abvoe roof level.

If our neighbour agrees to the work, will this require a party wall notice?

Also, does this kind of work usually need a structural engineer to be involved?

And does is generally require building control to be involved?

Thanks

 

[tim00]

1. get a party wall agreement for any future ref. and/or legal inquiry.

2. You do not need a SE. get a local builder.

3. Yes, BCO must be informed.

Note: any future disagreement or an accident on your neighbours roof could be expensive to you.

 

[Blagard]

You can deal with the Party Wall act on a DIY basis, especially if you and your neighbour get on OK and they have no objection. You can download the code of practice that has sample letters in it.

I would be inclined to ring your local building control office to explain what you intend to do. You should be able to deal with it on a notice (if you have to make a formal application).

I worked in local Authority many years ago, Building Control was not bothered about rear addition chimnies built into a corner with a single flue. They only wanted to know when chimney breasts were involved. But, you should not assume that, hence why you give them a ring. They may take a similar attitude if your work is as I described.