by LCL »
Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:49 pm
I think tha main issue here will be the Party Wall etc Act 1996. You can down load a copy from the internet. If you are proposing to excavate within 3m of an adjoining owners property and to an assumed greater depth than their foundations, you will need to serve notice upon them.
It is possible that the adjoining owners extension was legally constructed up to the boundary, or even astride it with the (at that time) adjoining owners consent, so this may all have been agreed by your previous owner. If you are in London, the old London Party Wall acts would have been in force or elsewhere the new act only came into force during 1997.
Probably best to chat if through with your neighbour, take lots of photos and both sign the back. This gives a record of the condition of next doors property prior to any works starting.
If in doubt speak to a local Chartered Surveyor that carries out party wall work.