Neighbor built onto my garage - can he do this?

Question

Prior to me moving in, my neighbor built a veranda down the side of my garage wall, adjoining the wall for it's structural support etc. My question is: can I make him take it down and also, as my garage wall has cracks, which may or may not be partly due to his veranda, if I were to need to have the wall taken down and re-built, would I be liable for his veranda?

Thanks

Answer 1

you should ask the previous owner if he/she gave permit ion for this.

Answer 2

Well, it depends how long the veranda has been built and the city you reside in. There something called Adverse Possession. This means that if someone build over another's land and there were no complaint for a certain period, that person can claim the portion where they built and will be granted ownership if they are able to prove the period to the court. In New York, the period is usually 10 years. It may be different in other States. But if they haven't reach that period, then you can request for them to bring it down.

Answer 3

I think it is best to discuss this with your neighbor first. Maybe some temporary structure can be made to hold his veranda while you rebuild/repair your wall.

Another thing to consider is, does his veranda sit on your property, or does your garage wall define the property. Technically I believe he can build/paint the side of the garage if it is considered his fence/wall. Might be best to contact your local city/county code enforcement office to get the official decision.

Answer 4

do you own your property or rent ?? if you own then u can take anything down you want thats on your property. you just have to make sure that your garage is not on his property !! then he can make you move your garage. but if your garage is on your property and his veranda is on your property you can take any part of it you want down thats on your property. i would take pics of it all before you started any project just in-case taking anything down causes the rest to come down you will be protected

Answer 5

I am pretty sure your neighbour has no right to build onto your garage wall? If the wall needs repairing you have the right to take it down and repair it .  All you need do is ask him to remove his veranda first then you don't damage it?

Answer 6

if it was done before you bought the property i wouldn't think there's much you can do as this should have been sorted out at the time you bought the property, usually by your solicitor. if it isn't a permanent structure i don't think you have much say.  You would need to prove his veranda has caused the cracks and this would be difficult, contact your insurance company.

Answer 7

Check with the council iof he had planning permission to do this,,,,if he did they authorised it,,,,I doubt if he did

Answer 8

He isn't supposed to do that.  Speak to someone in the dept of building inspection about the problem with your wall.

Answer 9

check with your local building control as this is attached to a structure and get their advice. (depending on the size of the structure he may have required building approval) i do not think someone can use your property to support their structure.  hope this helps.

Answer 10

I really don't think your neighbour had the right to do this unless he obtained permission from the previous owner, and the previous owner should have told you. You need to ask and you also need  to establish where your boundary is. Your neighbour has no rights to cross the boundary line or to do anything which may be or may become a nuisance, damage, annoyance or disturbance. You may be able to take action against the previous owner or your neighbour.

Answer 11

I think your best bet is to go and ask the neighbor what is going on. tell him your issues and see what he says about it. I doubt that you are wanting to be a jerk about it b/c if that was truly a problem then you wouldn't have bought the house in the first place.

There should have been some sort of sellers disclosure on this matter.

Instead of making enemy's with your neighbor just casually go and speak with them. We have become so afraid of speaking to people is amazes me sometimes, hence why this site does so good.

Open up and speak to you neighbor, maybe he/she is a great carpenter and you could find that you could use their help with one of your projects.

Life is funny that way.