We loved our house from the first time we went through, but it really didn't have enough living space. We have worked on improving the layout of the home and increasing the living area of the home to create a modern and more pleasant layout to the home. We are really proud of how the job has turned out and we wanted to share some of the details of how the extension and layout changes where designed and constructed. This blog has some of the photos of our extension as well as tips that we have learnt along the journey,.
Construction & Contractors Blog
If you own a large parcel of undulating land and want to carry out some developments near its periphery, you may have to consider your neighbour's needs. Should you want to modify the land around its border, your work may well affect the land on the other side of that line, and you need to ensure that you proceed with care. What issues do you need to take into account here?
Assessing the Challenge
In basic terms, someone who modifies the land around the border of their property is responsible for that modification going forward. This can become quite complex where the land is sloping, especially if you want to build a wall to define your boundary.
Modifying the Ground
In this case, you will have to modify the natural ground level so that you can place that retaining wall without issue. The retaining wall, in this case, may have to hold some backfill and be held in place by earth or stones on your neighbour's side.
Defining a Wall
You may find that a wall is considered to be a structure in your state or territory (as this can vary) and may not be viewed as if it were a fence. So the legislation may be different in this case. In every situation, you will want to ensure you do not encroach on your neighbour's land without first getting their permission and understanding your obligations.
Handling Costs
In some cases, your neighbour may be responsible for some of the costs on their side of the retaining wall. This may be the case if their property benefits from the structure and any fill that may have been introduced.
Talking with Your Neighbour
It's best to talk with your neighbour as soon as possible and before you even think about making concrete plans. After all, you may have to modify your work if you cannot agree with their position.
Delineating Your Boundary
In any case, you should clearly delineate your boundary, so there is no confusion on either side. For this job, you should bring in a licensed surveyor who is trained to perform this job accurately. They'll identify and mark any boundaries and provide you with the necessary documentation to get planning approval.
Giving Notice of Intent
Check the rules in your area to see what kind of notice you need to give the neighbour. In most cases, you have to provide them with plenty of notice before you commence any work so they can raise any objections or ask for any modifications as necessary.
Bringing in the Professionals
Get in touch with a building surveyor for their advice. They'll help make the process as straightforward as possible and guide you, so you do not overstep the boundary.
For more info, contact a local land surveyor.
Share11 November 2022
