Kai_63

Sorry I've been away for a few days! The neighbour has finally agreed to provide a notice. I had to quote the goverment website on my texts to him. And I've since spoken to his surveyor. The surveyor said they weren't entirely sure if an agreement was needed due to the way the chimney breasts were being removed but they've checked and they do. Sounds like backtracking to me but at least they're playing ball! I did also say that if they were removing/cutting internal and external structural walls and adding beams that also counts as party structures (as it affects their ceiling/my floor - so let's see). Surveyor's coming over to introduce himself tomorrow, a notice will be issued this week and then my surveyor can be appointed. The freeholder hasn't come back on the building insurance question yet but I chased this week. It's all in writing though. Thank you all for the help you've provided. I have a feeling this neighbour will cut corners given half the chance so knowing an agreeement will be in place is a huge help.

Thank you. Based on what's happened so far, I'd prefer my own surveyor for a totally independent view. I really just want peace of mind to ensure the work is done properly. It's not in my interest to delay it unnecessarily but ironically, if my neighbour continues down this road, i will delay things further! I'll speak to the council and freeholder on Monday. Thank you!

Thank you all for all your help, no, there are no plans on the portal for the internal work e.g. chimney breasts or removal of internal wall (but there are for the external) so I have options to contact the council if necessary too.

Thank you, yes I'm going to contact the freeholder about the building insurance.

Thank you, freeholder has given consent to the external extension but I'm not sure about the chimneys or internal walls. Given there's no sign of council approval for the latter two, I suspect not! I am the other leaseholder and I agree, it's bonkers that I'm not. If it comes to it I will try and get the freeholder to make them give me a notice.

Thank you for the advice. I'm definitely not going to be bullied but it's always tricky when you live next to people and know you still have to deal with them after you go nuclear on them! I think I'll see what the freeholder says first, they might not be aware of the internal work and it can affect building insurance. The council said I could report him so will contact them if all else fails this week, along with my own surveyor.

Thank you, he's pretty adamant a party wall agreement isn't needed so no chance of getting plans, he's been very cagey about what's being done. I've asked for the specific clause in the Party Wall Act that suggests he doesn't because I'm pretty worried. Is it just the chimney breasts that would fall under the act? He's insisting the others don't count as party walls.

I live in a flat. My downstairs neighbour is having various work done including: Chimney breast removal (mine would stay) Internal wall removal (it's a supporting wall and mine is above) Knocking down of external walls that support mine and adding extension. He says his surveyor said this doesn't need a party wall survey because we don't share any party walls. Three surveyors I spoke to said the chimney breasts at a minimum do (party structure). Is there specific law I can quote on this? And if not, what do I do next? (Flats are leasehold, he has permission from them for external work, not sure about internal). He doesn't have council planning consent for the chimney or internal walls.

Another recommendation for Fernando, polite, punctual, friendly and thorough. I will be asking to do more work in future.

Thanks all. The mortar went down yesterday and is unfortunately mid brown/grey, I had assumed they would use a greyer one, hopefully it will fade a bit over time. I've learnt a lot of lessons on this! Firstly, not to assume anything. That said, now the lawn is about to go down it isn't that bad. When the furniture goes on it will be much less noticeable. We have put trellises on the back wall so we can get some climbers going (to clarify that is the back wall of the other house that I mentioned).

Ha! It is just clean lines in my designs I need. Not so good on the orderliness front. I don't appear to be the only one anyway. I really shouldn't be living in a wonky Victorian house! Have decided to leave it as it is and see how it looks with furniture etc. May add a raised bed at the side or something to hide it a bit more too.

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I am feeling better about it now. Trying to speak to them now about changing it but if it can't be, it's good to know that there are ways to make it work if we need to. My husband wasn't that fussed but I work with graphic designers and stuff like this just pops out to me! Thanks all.

We discussed paving at the back, 3m wide. I assumed they would alin the paving, because that's what designers would do. IT didn't even occur to me that there was any other way to do it. When I complained today, he admitted there were two ways to do it (my way, more complex) or his way (simple for him). But he never discussed that in advance with me. Anything that has more than one option should be discussed I think.

No they won't, lawn in between, but in my head they do and that is why they feel so off! I think some of us see things in 'straight lines' more, I wished it didn't bother me but it is nice to see it isn't as bad as I thought.

Thanks for the tip and the opinions. It was driving me crazy this evening but will try that in the morning!

Really? IT is bugging me so much. Good to know it isn't as noticeable as I thought. I had visions of people coming to visit and thinking it looked ridiculous! Thanks!

We are getting our garden done and we've come home to find the paving laid. The front section looking out the garden is aligned with our house but at the back, they've aligned it with the house behind us. It means the two sets of paving in our garden don't align. The landscaper said he had to do that as the garden is an odd shape and it will mean the back pavement is wider at one end than the other but I think I'd prefer that as long as the grout lines all aligned with each other. Opinions please? Would I have to pay get this rectified or do you think he made a mistake?

Yes I called her and it turns out she is a genie who disappeared in a puff of smoke, hence the grey mark. Thanks for your helpful advice.

Got ours on Ebay with lots of different shaped ones.

Hi all We have a weekly cleaner who does an OK job. Today I came home and there was a dark large stain on our cream rug. She wears slippers so I don't know what it is. I have managed to clean it up with a lot of scrubbing but there is a faint mark. I don't mind that she made the stain but it seems odd for her not to text me and just say sorry. Should I ask her about if she knows what it is or just leave it and see if it happens again (in which case that would be the last time it happens)!

Thanks for the tips. I may just have to bite the bullet and as you say, stay for the first couple of times to get into the swing of things. Having pairs actually sounds like a good idea all round if it means they can get more done in the same time. If any other people do have recommendations that would be great, it will give me some peace of mind. Just want to check, is there anything else I should ask them/be aware of? What's the usual way to pay them (particularly if you aren't seeing them when they oome over to pay them directly) - is it OK to set up bank transfers? I really am pretty green when it comes to this stuff, sorry!

I want to get a cleaner for our house. We've never had one before and I had a few questions: We're looking for someone to come for around 2-3 hours a week to clean our three bedroom house. Key things are cleaning the bathroom and kitchen thoroughly including emptying bins etc, hoover and dust the house and then every so often clean out the fridge/oven. I don't want them to do any ironing (we don't have much) or bed sheet cleaning (I'd prefer to do it myself) - is 2 hours or so a reasonable amount of time to expect? Secondly, I'd prefer them to do it on Saturday mornings or possibly Sundays when I am around (although we're happy to stay out of the room they are cleaning and move around as necessary). Is Saturday morning a likely day to be able to get a cleaner and is it better to leave them to it? I just don't like the idea of someone I don't know being in the house, although it might be something I consider when I know them better. Thirdly, does anyone have any recommendations? We're currently in Greenwich but planning to move to E Dulwich at some point soon. Please don't recommend yourself, it would be good to get recommendations from people who can recommend their cleaners. Thanks all