naughty neighbour

[glory]

Have just discovered the neighbour of our adjoining house has removed his bathroom wall and is using mine to place all his bathroom fixtures and fittings on. Also I can hear a lot more through the walls now. Can he do this? What can I do?

[monkeyeyes]

He may well have compromised the integrity of one or both properties.

What sort of construction are your houses ?

How did this come to your attention ?

Are you both owner occupiers ?

[glory]

my house is a mid terrace but his house (also part of a terrace the other side )is older than mine. I think mine and my neighbours house the other side was added on a year later thus forming a longer terrace. I saw the builders working on the house. He didn`t let me know he was planning work. my son peeped through the window and saw an RSJ supporting the ceiling next to our wall. Underneath this is a recess which makes his room bigger. We are both property owners. I went to the council and asked a building inspector about it and he said it wasn`t against the law and suggested it is a case of whoever does it first gains!!

[KRUSTYMAN]

I know it s a bit extreme but if you get no joy legally why don't you take a few bricks out of your side - his reaction would be joy to watch.Alternatively borrow a metal detector to find out where his fittings are attached and drilll them out and listen for the sound of crashing fixtures and fittings. But seriously though, if he has attached fixtures and fittings to your wall he is actually damaging your property? I think the local planning officer is totally wrong, go to your local citizens advice centre.

[alponce]

He has compromised the integrity of both properties.
This is definately a matter for the police.
And a very strong case is in your hands.
Make all notes , dates and anything else you think is suitablly available to the police .

[tigwig]

oh tetjam you are a pillock but you do make me laugh!!

[buildersmate]

Just for once, I rather like Tetjam's idea.
I'm not sure what 'compromising' Alponce thinks has occurred. It is unlikely he has compromised the buildings structurally (since he has erected an RSJ to support his walls above). He has not compromised fire spread integrity because a wall is still in place (yours). There are now rules about noise transmission in Building Regs (mainly brought about because folks in flats were fitting wood block floors and the noise transmits downstairs). But these rules apply to a new build - and I'm not sure how it works if one makes a Building Control application for an extension.
He will have had a make a Building Control application if he has put an RSJ in place - no ifs or buts - it is a must. Some people forget this when doing extensions - to demonstrate the structural integrity.
You could play this one of two ways: -
1) Ask him, or find out another way, if he has made a BC application. If he has not casually drop into the conversation that you intend to talk to BC about it unless he bricks it back again. Making a retrospective application now (after the event) would be costly for him - but then there are costs in refinishing his new bathroom wall afain (tiling etc.?)
2) Go to BC anyway yourself and try forcing it on the noise transmission issue. They will advise you whether this is admissible. As I indicate above, I am 100% sure on the rules - it's called Part E of Building Control Regulations.

[buildersmate]

OOps, finger trouble - last sentence should say not 100% sure

[SpamBammer]

or you can drill a hole and stick your kn0b through it, and see if anyone touches it, but a pet dog might bite it off.

[sleepy1]

spam pmsl ...

[glory]

Thank you for the serious replies and the jokes cheered me.

[monkeyeyes]

There will also be implications as far as the 'Buildings Insurance' goes............if he has compromised any of his insurances it may impact on yours should something untoward occur.

I'd be surprised if the Building Control Officer would be satisfied that a single leaf of bricks between dwellings would be sufficient under Part E of the Building Regulations, which, as Buildersmate suggests, is all to do with the Transmission of sound.................