Building an extension

[Mitchy_Boy]

We are just starting the procedures to extend out of the back of our house. Our builders are getting the architects to draw the plans and also taking care of the planning permission. They are looking after everything but have told us we need to speak to our neighbours about their existing extension wall. They already have an extension and ideally we want to "bond" to it.This will avoid having a small gap between the extensions where the weather and rubbish will collect. I have been trying to find out how we go about proposing to them that this is what we would like to do and that it will benfit both parties. I have looked online and can find out about party walls, but am not sure after reading the documents that i have found online about it whether this is the correct term for what we are suggesting. The party wall act literature is for new walls or building next to the existing neighbours wall. Can anyone direct me towards the correct literature for actually bonding to the neighbours existing wall?

Many thanks.

[Zacs-Master]

Have you tried just going round and talking to them as a first step?

[Mitchy_Boy]

Yes we need to speak to them but i really would like to go armed with as much information as i can. He is a little bit, how can i say, awkward but knowledgeable. I need to know what i am talking about and know how things should proceed as he will be getting me to get solicitors involved and surveyors etc. I need to know if things like this are needed by law, or whether this can be sorted out in a written agreement.

[Zacs-Master]

You need to serve a party wall notice at least 2 months prior to starting the work. Your builder and his architect should know this and be able to advise you.
http://www.legislatio...kpga/1996/40/contents

[The Builder]

http://www.planningpo...l_explain_booklet.pdf

That's a very useful and informative booklet explaining the Party Wall Act.
Part wall doesn't only mean a "shared" wall common to both properties. It also applies in your case where you intend to build right up to an existing (neighbour's) wall.
In my experience........... you have no "right", as far as I know, to physically connect into his building ............. if he doesn't want you to. Of course, friendly agreement is the preferred way to go, as I'm sure you know.

Assuming you build parallel to his wall without "connecting" to it...... it's usual to cap the small gap between the buildings. A simple weatherproofing procedure.............. but it does involve connection to his building, so agreement would be needed. Otherwise, a ridiculous situation arises where you build a few inches away from him, leaving a pointless void. I've had to do that a couple of times......... much against my "common sense".

In practice .......... roof overhang and guttering usually keep the masonry anything up to 2' apart........... since building a wall on a boundary means that there can be no overhang or guttering at all. It would be on the neighbour's property.

To cut a long story short ................. as is usual, common sense takes over where the Law ends.