Neighbor is building 50 cm deeper / support necessary. Who has to pay for this?

Hello everyone,

I hope I am in the right place!

Two years ago, we built a semi-detached house. Now our neighbor is finally building, but 50 cm lower! That means the step (about 50 cm) between our semi-detached houses needs to be supported. On the opposite side of the neighbor is a slope, which he has to support anyway. Now he has built slightly lower so that he doesn't have to support as much of the slope toward the street. The question now is who has to support this 50 cm step between our houses. All other neighbors in the parallel streets have always built their semi-detached houses at the same height. It would have been possible to build at our height.

The actual road surfaces have not been done yet and will only be started once the entire construction section is built.

Thank you very much!

Your neighbor is responsible for this. He must support your foundations at his own expense. Therefore, be sure to document the current condition of your house as well as the construction work before starting the construction. If settlement cracks appear later, you will have the corresponding evidence at hand. Regards

Hello,

Therefore, be sure to document the current condition of your house as well as the construction work before starting the construction. If settlement cracks appear later, you will have the appropriate evidence at hand.

Don't you think it might already be too late then?

@Marino

Before your neighbor begins the earthworks, you must meet with the construction manager responsible for the neighborhood construction project and discuss the point "supporting"; if you can't reach him, call the construction company. Make sure you get written information about how and to what extent the construction company intends to protect your house from settlement.

The costs of this operation—probably foundations; stepping down if you have built with a basement—are to be borne solely by the new neighbor.

Kind regards

Hello,

Thank you very much! And what about the terrace we built up to the border? And we paved the driveway. Does he also have to support the step? I was told that the one who is higher always has to support the step... but when we bought the property, the two plots were level.

People talk a lot when the day is long; building a house is similar to a referee: no one really knows, but millions think they know better

Basically, if the neighbor who "follows" builds differently or higher than the existing building dictates, they also bear the costs. To what extent it is necessary to support your terrace or your driveway with L-shaped stones, I honestly cannot judge from here; it could also be that the existing slope does not disadvantage you either way; talk to the construction manager about it

It is always advisable to come to an amicable agreement with a person you will call your neighbor for many years and not provoke an enemy for life over being right or money!

Best regards

Thank you!

Regards, Marino.