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Should there be a fire wall in the loft between neighbouring houses?
Firewalls provide protection against fires spread which may occur to neighbouring properties. Building regulations ensure that modern homes are fitted with firewalls as well as other fire safety measures such as adequate fire escapes and alarm systems.
Older homes may not have a firewall installed in the loft, especially in homes with shared loft spaces. There is no requirement to retrospectively install a firewall, but it should be considered to improve the safety of your home and those living in it.
As an adjoining loft firewall is a party wall, you will need to talk to your neighbour to discuss the work.
Common Questions
If you do not seek planning permission, build without it when it applies, or do not meet specified conditions of a planning permission, this is known as a planning breach.
Your local planning authority can serve an enforcement notice on you when they consider you have broken planning rules. You may be given the opportunity to apply retrospectively, or be required to remove a building or structure, or alter it to make it acceptable.
Adding a permanent wheelchair ramp for access to a home is likely to require planning permission as it will permanently change the external appearance of the front of the house. If the application is solely for improving disable access to the building then the planning application will be exempt from a planning fee.
If you live in a listed building, you will have to apply for listed building consent for any significant works, whether internal or external.
All permanent wheelchair ramps must comply with Approved Document M of the building regulations which specifies the gradient, width and surfaces which should be used.
A designated area is situated within a World Heritage Site, Conservation Area, Site of Special Scientific Interest, National Park, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the area is protected by law due to its architectural or historic interest or landscape.
Due to this protection, there will be further limits on what you can do to your property if it is within such an area, for example building an extension, changes to the roof, or work to trees. Restrictions will be put in place and permitted development rights will not apply.
If you live in a designated area, you must seek advice from your local planning authority before starting any work.
Many homeowners choose to replace their traditional polycarbonate conservatory roof with a solid tiled roof for better thermal efficiency.
If the change significantly alters the structure or appearance of the roof, then planning permission may be required. Most alterations to roofs are considered permitted development, providing they meet the limits set out in legislation.
A new roof must comply with building regulations to ensure it is structurally safe, energy efficient and properly ventilated.
Planning permission is not normally required for steps in a garden, however, permission may be required if the steps are part of a larger project such as a raised deck attached to the front of the house.
If the external steps are attached to the house and a roof is constructed, this will become a porch which has different rules attached. Read full details on the planning rules for porches in our common projects section.
Different rules may apply if you live in a designated area such as a conservation area or if the building you live in is listed.
External steps will not normally require building regulations approval unless they are part of the access to the building. If they are then you must ensure that you do not reduce the level of accessibility to the house.
You should contact your local planning authority for further project advice, alternatively, you can apply for a lawful development certificate for confirmation that any changes you make do not require planning permission.
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