Living next to building work

What is reasonable

Building work is noisy and dusty. Some disruption is inevitable, and the Act does not stop it. What the Act does require is that work avoids unnecessary inconvenience.

Working hours

Awards often set working hours, typically weekday daytime and Saturday mornings, with no noisy work on Sundays or bank holidays. Local councils may also have standard construction hours.

Protecting your home

• Take dated photos of rooms next to the shared wall before work starts
• Move fragile items off shelves on the party wall
• Check your loft after work on the roof or chimney
• Keep gutters and drains near the boundary clear and watch for blockages

Signs to report straight away

• New cracks or cracks that widen
• Doors or windows that start to stick
• Damp patches, especially after rain
• Soot or debris falling from a fireplace

Report these to the builder and the surveyor promptly, with photos. Early reporting makes repairs straightforward.

Noise and nuisance outside the Act

Excessive noise, dust or blocked access to your property may also be a matter for the council's environmental health team.