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Worried about neighbours loft conversion
Nextdoor went up for sale for months with no takers. We decided we wanted to do a small loft and single story extension nothing imposing. Just to bring it in line with the two neighbouring houses as ours is shadowed a lot being recessed. Anyway, we slowly started to draw up plans. When suddenly the house did sell and the new people moved in very quickly.
Seem nice enough but this is where the post comes in.
They have their house built on the boundary. Both houses are detached but by only 20 cm. Their house sits out further than ours. With ours being recessed back.
Our house was built first. Which means that for nextdoor in order to maintain anything on their side they have to clear it with us first for access. Which I’m okay with as it seems mean not to allow them access. They wish to render the wall, again fine.
I think what has spooked me is that, they have only been in a week and already have a flurry of trades coming in. It feels all a bit much tbh for us (as in us dealing with the sudden changes) there was talk of doing a loft conversion and this is what really worries me. Whilst I have no objections to anyone renovating their home (as we plan to do the same) my fears come from the fact they want to build a dormer on the side closest to us ( I heard this from the company who came to look at it is also looking to do ours so they passed on that message)
Which worries me a lot as our little dormer will be totally overshadowed. I was also worried if they wanted to put windows in facing our actual house. I spoke to the architect and he couldn’t give a clear answer as permitted development isn’t as strict as Planning. Our build won’t impact anyone. Whereas this will impact us a lot. As we could be faced with either a wall blocking more light out or a wall with windows facing ours. Even if obscured we don’t want windows facing ours unless they are obscured and un opening. As we don’t want the noise pollution into our bedrooms.
They would need to have scaffolding on our side to do this, I’m just hoping when architects do go round. They will consider building the other side of the roof which has all the drains on, there is chimneys there so I suspect part of the appeal going our side is no chimneys to remove.
I’m also worried about if they build a large dormer we won’t be able to maintain some of the side of our house. As the roof is literally touching. The shoddy builders who did nextdoor took some liberties, that’s for sure as the tiles on ours are actually cut to allow for their guttering. This is all historic work. So have to go with it. I’m just worried about adding more issues with dormers etc.
Appreciate any advice, think I’m just a bit sad that we tried to put in for something that has zero impact on neighbours. Whereas nextdoors could be very impactful for us if they went the dormer route on this side. How do you even broach this awkward situation without causing bad blood? As they are so new in we don’t want to fall out, yet do feel strongly about what’s being proposed. Even if it’s just early stage chatting.
Thanks for not being judgmental
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9 Replies
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Start with a conversation with your neighbour, that way you will know what they are actually planning and whether or not it might impact you. There’s nothing wrong with voicing your concerns before works starts, better to do that now then let things escalate. Just be clear about your worries and make it clear to them you are not opposed to them improving their home either. Hope it goes well
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There are restrictions around the right to light – but if your loft is not there yet, that will be difficult to claim. Windows would most likely be required to be completely obscured. But definitely worth speaking as am sure you can come to an agreement as they may not even have considered how close it could be if you also go up
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Have they spoken to you about the possible loft conversion? Would suggest a chat with them asap to alleviate your concerns. It’s easy to imagine all sorts of things in your mind – speaking from experience!
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yes loosely as I mentioned to them first before they purchased the house. As I wanted to be upfront, that we were doing it at some point in the future.
They proceeded with sale and moved in. Within days they had the loft people round. They clocked me and said “oh hi” as I was in the garden. Owner casually mentioned they are looking to do a loft conversion too!
It’s only when I spoke the guys who went round post appointment. They said FYI your neighbours are planning a dormer that side. The loft people said if we tied it in together it would be cheaper. Which I think appealed to nextdoor however I don’t want a dormer our side as it’s all sorts of problems for us, shadowing ours. If they want windows it would look into our daughter’s room etc.
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This sounds so stressful to you. I agree with all the previous messages.
They probably bought the house knowing they wanted to do the work straight away so don’t want to wait around.
I have been on both sides of this.
I think depending on the council you can give them a call and ask if it would be allowed.
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Maybe you could suggest collaborating with them during the planning process, using the same architect so that both houses can come up with the best solution that benefits all?
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It’s really worth having a conversation with them, even better if you can get your Architects and their’s in a room together.
There are regulations around access to sunlight and how much neighbours can shade other houses, so there is a path to contacting planning and building control of it comes to that, but even though it can be daunting, you always want to try to work it out amicably in the first instance.
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that’s definitely what we hope to do, it’s so daunting isn’t it? They only just moved in and I think we was surprised that extension talks started so early with them.
Plus confrontation is always awkward isn’t it? They are older than us (my parents age) so I do feel more intimidated by that. Plus I worry what if they don’t care about our concerns and it causes issues? My mum said surly they will want to keep us a bit on side as they need our access for scaffolding as we have approved use for maintenance work but not new constructions.
It’s so stressful being a grown up
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I totally get it… We have done great neighbours on one side, and some nightmares in the other.. But when it comes to something so permanent, you want to make sure you get it right!
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