Roofing works and the Party Wall Act.

If your neighbour is carrying out roofing work that might fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, there are a few key concerns and considerations to be aware of. These mostly center around legal rights, potential damage, and communication:

1. Type of Work and Applicability

Not all roofing work falls under the Party Wall Act. The Act typically applies when this work involves:

• Cutting into a party wall (shared wall between properties),

• Raising the height of a party wall (e.g., loft conversions, adding new roof structures),

• Cutting into the Party Wall or Chimney to insert flashing.

• Exposing a Party Wall or Party Structure.

• Rebuilding or repairing Chimneys.

• Rebuilding or repairing the parapet wall.

Concern: If the work affects the structural integrity or boundary of your property, your neighbour must serve a Party Wall Notice at least 2 months in advance.

2. Lack of Notice

If your neighbour hasn’t served a Party Wall Notice and the work potentially falls under the Act, they’re in breach of their legal obligations.

Concern: You lose the chance to:

• Appoint a surveyor to protect your interests,

• Have a Party Wall Award detailing the work,

• Get a proper schedule of condition (to prove if any damage occurs).

3. Potential Damage

Roofing work can easily cause issues like:

• Cracks to internal or external walls,

• Leaks if flashings or guttering are disturbed,

• Chimney stack movement,

• Vibration damage during scaffold or demolition work.

Concern: Without a condition survey, it’s harder to claim for damage afterward.

4. Scaffolding or Access

Sometimes neighbours place scaffolding or equipment on your land or roof space.

Concern: This is not automatically permitted—they need your consent or must include this in a formal Party Wall Agreement or separate access license.

5. Noise and Disturbance

Even if the work doesn’t technically fall under the Act, roofing can be noisy and disruptive.

Concern: While not covered by the Party Wall Act, you can raise environmental health concerns with the local authority if it becomes unreasonable.

6. Insurance and Liability

Your neighbour should make sure that their contractor is insured.

Concern: If damage occurs and there’s no Party Wall Award, you may have to go through a lengthy and expensive court process to recover costs.

What You Can Do

• Ask directly what work is planned and whether they’ve served notice.

• If a notice is due and hasn’t been served, you can write formally to request it.

• If needed, seek advice from a party wall surveyor or solicitor.
 

Get in Touch

At Simply Party Walls, we take the stress out of party wall matters. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

01737 632213

info@simplypartywalls.co.uk

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