Party Wall

[Lod]

Hello all.
I have a problem that hopefully someone can shed some light on and assist.
My neighbour is building a garage on his garden and has dug down adjacent to my wall. He has dug down 15 foot.
I am worried that this wall will become unstable.
how do I go about dealing with this?
any help will be gratefully received.
many thanks.

 

[mointainwalker]

The date is July 14 not April 1

 

[^woody^]

15 foot is the height of a house, so if your neighbour has dug this deep then he is probably a loon and best left alone

 

[Lod]

apologies all. I may have exagerated slightly and sorry to have mislead.
In all seriousness, the depth is around my height (6 foot) and is very close to my wall and touching in places.
below the surface where the neighbour has dug away, the wall is coming apart as it is not pointed like the wall above the surface (stone wall).
I cannot afford to ask a professional such as a surveyor and just wondered what steps I should take.
I am happy to talk to the neighbour, but I would like a little bit of ammunition before I go steaming in.
thanks all.

 

[jeds]

You should note (literally note on paper I mean) the condition of the party wall- internally and externally. Also take photographs all along the wall. Take note of anything - obviously cracks and defects but also make a note if the wall ceiling, floor etc. is in good condition with no cracks.

The neigbour obviously hasn't served party wall notices, which he should have done. Technically you could have work stopped by seeking an injunction but this is a pain in the arse process and really your priority is to get the foundation properly backfilled ASAP. The longer it's left open the more likely soome damage will occur.

Ask your neighbour to let you have the specification for backfilling. Anything below the level of the existing foundation should be non-compressible. i.e. concrete.