"Peter Crosland" wrote in message
...
As I understand it from a previous thread a week or so back, it is
permissable to build a garage extension right up to the boundary between
neighbouring properties and the foundations can actually cross over.
The idea being to eliminate unsightly gaps between extensions built side
by side. If this is the case, what happens when the second person to
build then wants to build up to the boundary too? Does his wall bear on
those original foundations? If so, what happens if those foundations
are only suitable for a single story and the second person wants to
build higher? (I may be in a similar situation sometime. The original
thread fizzled out.)


I did not see the original thread but it certainly is NOT acceptable without
permission, preferably by altering the deeds, and in many cases building
regs and/or planning would prevent it. If you want to build right up the
boundary where there is another wall the sensible thing to do is agree this
with the neighbour and plan ahead.

I didn't see the original thread either. But footings projecting across a
boundary are indeed permissible under the Party Wall etc Act 1996. Section 1(6)
states: "Where the Building Owner builds a wall wholly on his own land ......he
shall have the right .........to place below the level of the land of the
adjoining owner such projecting footings or foundations as are necessary for the
construction of the wall."

Section 2(2)(g) of the same Act states, "A Building Owner shall have the right
to cut away.....any footing....... or other projection on or over the land of
the Building Owner in order to erect, raise or underpin any such wall or for any
other purpose."

So, in principle you (as the person carrying out the work) have the right to
extend footings over the boundary if it is "necessary", and also to cut off your
neighbour's projecting footings on your land. Each case would be considered on
its merits by the Party Wall Surveyors acting for both sides, but the general
principles are that if you are building against an existing building you are
responsible for maintaining its stability and you must not increase the load on
its foundations. If your proposed foundations involve cutting off a projection
or undermine the existing building then you will probably need to underpin it.
Reinforced concrete foundations are not covered by these Clauses, and the
neighbour's written permission is needed in all cases.

Peter