Removing a dividing wall between two houses

[Zulfiqar baig]

Hi guys,


Background : we live in two terraced houses that are next to each other and had a opening knocked through at the top of the staircase and converted the two kitchens at the rear into one.

Even though we love our home it doesnt feel like one, so we plan on removing the centra dividing wall that goes between the two staircases.

Im sure this should be quie straight forward for most builders but the issue we have is just before the staircases begin there are two box rooms above.

Any ideas how we would go about this project.

Thanks in advance

 

[bernardgreen]

There may not be a major problem with the structural changes but compliance with building regulations may be a problem.

Do you own the freeholds of both houses ? If not then you will need to get permission from the person(s) who does have the freehold(s) to make them into one habitation.

 

[Zulfiqar baig]

Hi yes freehold on both properties. I will be getting an engineers opinion soon just wanted some advice from the experianced folk on here

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Post a sketch of the existing layout .....

 

[^woody^]

That party wall is providing butressing support to the front and rear walls. This can be dealt with but might require some hefty steel work.

This will need planning permission too, or should already have it based on the knock-through

 

[Zulfiqar baig]

 

[Zulfiqar baig]

Hi guys,

please excuse the pretty poor layout above, but this is the basic layout of the current properties. hope this gives a clearer idea of the plan

 

[Zulfiqar baig]

Further to the above i have spoken to a planning officer, and he has confirmed that we do NOT need planning permission for this, we would need it if were to split them up again. However we do need building regs sign off.

 

[^woody^]

i have spoken to a planning officer, and he has confirmed that we do NOT need planning permission for this,

Then you would be wise to get that in writing or get it confirmed with a Lawful Development Certificate, as loss of a residential unit is material consideration under planning regulations. Your local council can decide how material it is to the locality, but a planner's verbal opinion is worth nothing.

 

[Zulfiqar baig]

Then you would be wise to get that in writing or get it confirmed with a Lawful Development Certificate, as loss of a residential unit is material consideration under planning regulations. Your local council can decide how material it is to the locality, but a planner's verbal opinion is worth nothing.

point taken, will ask for that in writing

 

[OwainDIYer]

I would not remove the whole wall (between the stairs).

You could probably knock through the wall at the front door, enabling you to close up one front door. You could probably then remove one staircase, either completely or remove the stair treads area leaving the side walls, and put a downstairs cloakroom and storage cupboard in. If you have headroom you may be able to make a 'shortcut' under the stairs outside the kitchen doors - which would make closing up one kitchen door feasible.

Upstairs you retain the U shaped landing and floor over the area where the stairs were, leaving it as open landing or fitting storage cupboards. Knocking through the two boxrooms is also likely to be possible.

Another idea if the roof allows it is to open up the floor area of one staircase from ground to roof level and put in a large rooflight, possibloy with internal windows from the remaining staircase to the 'atrium'.

You really do need a structural engineer to plan this out for you (and give you the design certificates you will need for Building Control). Reinforcing to the walls, floors and roof means this is not a minor job for two blokes with a cement mixer one weekend. Your housing is being rebuilt.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Friends of mine live in what was two cottages knocked through
From memory they have retained the dividing wall but removed the stairs of one house to expand the living space of one former house.