Extension of an existing party wall up and build on our side of the property?
5/31/2017 at 3:41:06 PM
I live in a semi-detached house. My neighbour is planning on building a 2nd floor addition. Can my semi-detached neighbour extend an existing party wall up and build on our side of the property? i.e. have the resulting exterior of their 2nd floor addition on our side of the property line? My understanding that a party wall ownership is 1/2 and 1/2 depending on the side.
What is required?
6/1/2017 at 6:58:33 AM
Hi Abby,
Yes, your correct. A party wall between two homes is jointly owned. You must agree and sign off on the design. If the wall ( for example) is 12" thick and your neighbor decides to put the wall 6" closer to their side, Then it would be completely on their side and you would not have a say. You perhaps should talk with a City Inspector or a Property Lawyer.
6/6/2017 at 5:21:45 PM
What Tim says is true, but a party wall is also a fire barrier and cannot be compromised. It must be extended fully as per original construction. However, depending on the age of the building,once he gets a building permit, the complete unit now has to meet the new codes, his and yours. Better check with the building inspector for your area.
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