Neighbours extension issues.

[sheeprug]

Hi Everybody, A couple of Qs re. an extension on nextdoors property, built prior to myself buying the ajoining half of the semi.

Firstly, they've built the wall up close to the boundary such that the guttering overlaps into my airspace and will reduce the amount light available for a new window I'm thinking about installing.

Secondly, the extension includes a toilet with the overflow pipe draining over my side.

Do I have any rights over these? I've no wish to start a neighbourhoow row, but the former is a pain in the $%^&, and the latter seems a little odd.

I should add, the house was surveyed prior to purchase, and I only noticed the above when measuring for the proposed new window.

Thanks, SR.

[Ian]

I may be wrong but I dont think Airspace is recognised in british law.

This would have been agreed with the previous owner I assume

Sounds like you do or even if you dont you are going the right way to start one.

You bought the house with all these in place. AFAIK there is nothing you can realy do. And how far our does this gutter extend as most only stick out 5 inches so I cant see how this would affect light. pehaps you could supply a diagram to show.

Ian

[Lobster]

All I'd say is think about it - if you complain about the guttering, then you're almost certainly going to piss off your neighbour, right? If, as it sounds, there's no quick, cheap and easy solution to the problem, it's not very likely that anything will happen, and all you will have done is developed a bad relationship with next door. And as anyone will tell you, having stroppy neighbours can be a as big a pain in the $%^& as anything. Ask yourself if it's worth it.

As regards the overflow pipe, whatever the rights and wrongs - does it really matter, providing it's not actually overflowing? Ignore.

David

[dg]

You could leave it.

Or you could just send a letter stating that you acknowledge that there building is crossing your boundary, and whilst it is not causing a problem now, you reserve the right to require its removal at some future date if it becomes a problem to your enjoyment or plans for your property. Mention that you are not re-defining the boundary by permitting the overhang.

In legal terms you are effectively granting a licence for the use of your land, and this licence can be withdrawn at any time.

You would also have a good claim against the surveyor - as long as it was a proper full building survey and not just a valuation.

dg

[sheeprug]

Thanks dg, and others, & apologies for this slow response. Obviously one thinks VERY carefully before escalating this sort of issue with neighbours. It actually encroaches by about 20cm over a length of about 3m. This might not seem much, but since my own extension wall is about 1m from the boundary it blocks a significant proportion of the available light. I'll think about it - there's no desperate hurry ATM.

SR