About 4 months ago, I got a Building/Home Improvements firm to begin work on my property (3-bed semi detached). Planning permission and Building Regulations were sought/approved.
A major part of the work involved extending the rear of the property, into the garden. As the builder began the initial work, the neighbour and the builder had a conversation (I was not present) and they agreed to let the wall of my extended portion become a Shared Party Wall. The reason for this is that the neighbour was thinking of extending his own property in the future, so he figured that it would be of benefit to him if I let him use our wall. Since I was paying for the wall, the benefit to me was that he would let my builder build the wall on HIS side of the garden (about a foot of free triangular space, which he can't really use for anything), thereby giving me some extra space on my extension. So basically, I pay for the wall, and he gives me some space.
Council Planning/Consent & Building Regs were also amended to take account of this.
The agreement, at this point, was just verbal. The builder was supposed to draft the agreement and get both parties to sign before any further work. But in my absence, he built the wall BEFORE he had drafted the agreement for both parties to sign. The neighbours seemed perfectly happy with it and never complained as the roof was being put on and the work continued. The builder insisted that this was ok and that he would get an Agreement sorted soon.
And now weeks later, before he had a chance to get the Agreement signed, the neighbours daughter (who lives far away) came by and visited and objected to her parents land being used for the wall - despite the benefit of being able to use my wall (which I am paying for).
Yes, I was naive to trust my builder, but to be frank I am ignorant of these laws/regulations and I'm now learning all sorts of things; from party wall notices to party wall agreements - all of which seem NOT to have been adhered to! I thought I could leave everything for the Building firm to manage for me, as I work in the City and am usually not around.
I am going to try and talk to the neighbours and get them to agree to everything, and show a little compassion - since they showed no objection, and never raised any issues with anyone about the building.
What can I do to avert any action or injunctions being taken against me?
A major part of the work involved extending the rear of the property, into the garden. As the builder began the initial work, the neighbour and the builder had a conversation (I was not present) and they agreed to let the wall of my extended portion become a Shared Party Wall. The reason for this is that the neighbour was thinking of extending his own property in the future, so he figured that it would be of benefit to him if I let him use our wall. Since I was paying for the wall, the benefit to me was that he would let my builder build the wall on HIS side of the garden (about a foot of free triangular space, which he can't really use for anything), thereby giving me some extra space on my extension. So basically, I pay for the wall, and he gives me some space.
Council Planning/Consent & Building Regs were also amended to take account of this.
The agreement, at this point, was just verbal. The builder was supposed to draft the agreement and get both parties to sign before any further work. But in my absence, he built the wall BEFORE he had drafted the agreement for both parties to sign. The neighbours seemed perfectly happy with it and never complained as the roof was being put on and the work continued. The builder insisted that this was ok and that he would get an Agreement sorted soon.
And now weeks later, before he had a chance to get the Agreement signed, the neighbours daughter (who lives far away) came by and visited and objected to her parents land being used for the wall - despite the benefit of being able to use my wall (which I am paying for).
Yes, I was naive to trust my builder, but to be frank I am ignorant of these laws/regulations and I'm now learning all sorts of things; from party wall notices to party wall agreements - all of which seem NOT to have been adhered to! I thought I could leave everything for the Building firm to manage for me, as I work in the City and am usually not around.
I am going to try and talk to the neighbours and get them to agree to everything, and show a little compassion - since they showed no objection, and never raised any issues with anyone about the building.
What can I do to avert any action or injunctions being taken against me?
. I think the daughter has a fair point . it`s her inheritance that could become some " bleak house " scenario when it`s sold in Many years time .. When I sold a 2 foot strip of my last house`s garden to neighbour , we shook on the principle - BUT HE paid for solicitors / Land Registry et. al. - and gave me a few quid too 
