Building Extensions: What Neighbours Can and Can’t Do

While planning and executing a home extension, it is important to keep in consideration the neighbors and their interests. In that way, knowing the portrait of what your neighbors can or cannot do will minimize the chances of any conflict arising and help the process flow as intended.

What Rights Do Neighbors Have?

Object to Permission Sought: If your extension needs permission, neighbors are entitled to object to the permission sought.
Party Wall Agreement: In the event that your extension has a wall in common with your neighbor, the law will require you to enter a party wall agreement which will state the rights and obligations of both parties.
Engage an Attorney: If they believe that the activities of the extension will adversely impact their property they are free to engage an attorney.

What Neighbours Cannot Do

Hinder the Work: They cannot cause any hindrances to your construction works unless they have a lawful ground such as health and safety.
Vandalise or Cause Damages: This is known as intentional tort and there can be consequences for that, including going to court.
Block Your Way: They cannot engage in excessive obstruction of your property in the course of undergoing construction activities

Important Factors for Maintaining Good Neighbourhood Relations

Communicate Openly and Respectfully: Encourage peaceful and respectful communication with your neighbours at all times during the entire duration of the process.
Be Considerate: Construction works tend to cause noise; however, people involved in construction activities are urged to keep noise and disturbances to a minimum during the specified work hours.
Address Promptly the Concerns: All complaints from the neighbours regarding any work should be addressed sooner than later and in the best manner possible.
Seek Expert Opinion: An architect or builder should be contacted to evaluate the intended works and more so to make sure no unnecessary inconveniences will be caused to neighbours.

Modifying behavior on both sides and acknowledging that there are limits will help avoid ugly confrontations during the course of building works.

Would you wish to understand more concerning particular legal entitlements, party wall agreements or techniques on how to reduce disturbance while building? Learn More