Diy Conservatory Boundry Line

Building near or on the boundary line
Any structure, conservatory or otherwise that is partly built against the boundary line or astride it, is covered by the Party Wall Etc Act 1996. The Act is really just a procedure for homeowners to follow with their neighbours to avoid disputes. Disputes over boundaries and walls are, you may not be surprised to hear, quite common and this legislation was introduced to help avoid them or at the very least keep them out of court.

The wall of your conservatory does not have to be a party wall for the Act to apply: it can just be on your side of the boundary facing on it. If they happen to have part of their home within 6 m of your new addition, additional measures will apply if you dig deep foundations that go beyond the depth of theirs. These measures are to avoid you robbing any structure next door of its support by digging out the ground through which it bears. You can rob support from a structure by digging near it, as opposed to directly beneath it.

Conservatory foundations are rarely deep, and these measures may not be necessary. More likely, with semi-detached and terraced homes, is the case of a single wall being built on the boundary and for this you have a duty to notify your neighbour at least one month before you start work.

Strange as it may seem, to support a wall that is faced smack on the boundary line, your foundations may need to extend a bit over it and the Act states that they have a

legal right to do so. It also says that you will be responsible for any damage to your neighbour’s property caused by the work and will have to compensate your neighbour accordingly if it happens. If you were planning on a reinforced raft foundation, be aware that the Act doesn’t give you the right to place reinforced foundations on your neighbour’s land only traditional un-reinforced ones.

This notice should be in writing and while you might discuss it informally a signed document should pass hands as well ? not just for now but for the future owners of either home.