Neighbours new roof

Question

My neighbours have just had their English tile roof replaced. All the builds around here are metal framed houses, tiled roofs and then the inside sprayed with insulation. The neighbours have had theirs completely over hauled. Their roof now sits slightly higher than mine and a bonding gutter has been added between the properties, the roofers removed some of my tiles and the foam to tie the roofs in, i can now see daylight in my loft, does this matter or is it ok as long as the tiles have correct cover?

Alex · Accepted Answer

Asking as the tiles have the correct covering it should be okay no water should get through but I would keep an eye on it during heavy downpours to ensure you don't get no leaks I.e check your loft space. AJ roofing

Ryan · Answer

You should not be able to see day light through your roof! This means there is a gap in the tiles and your felt is rotten and failing. You need the tile placed back correctly or a new roof to match your neighbor if possible

Richard · Answer

No, it is not. Any roofing work carried out must ensure that the building envelope is weathertight, thermally efficient, and secure. The presence of visible daylight suggests that:
	1.	Weatherproofing has been compromised – which may lead to water ingress.
	2.	Thermal insulation and airtightness may have been breached.

This likely contravenes the following Building Regulations:

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Relevant Building Regulations:

Approved Document C – Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
	•	Section C2: “The walls, floors and roof of the building shall adequately protect the building and people who use it from harmful effects caused by: (a) Ground moisture; (b) Precipitation; and (c) Spillage of water.”
	•	Seeing daylight implies there is a gap where precipitation could enter, violating this requirement.

Approved Document L1B – Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings
	•	Section 5.1 & 5.2 (Thermal Elements): Any refurbishment work that affects the roof must maintain or improve energy efficiency.
	•	Removal of foam insulation and failure to reinstate it (or an equivalent thermal barrier) would not meet these requirements.

Approved Document B – Fire safety
	•	Section B4: Deals with fire spread between properties. If tiles and insulation have been removed without proper fire-stopping reinstated, this could also represent a breach.

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Additional considerations:
	•	The bonding gutter should be carefully installed in such a way that it does not compromise the integrity of your roof.
	•	If your neighbour’s contractors have modified your property without consent and not returned it to a compliant state, they may be liable for remedial works.

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What should you do?
	1.	Contact the roofing contractor (or your neighbour) and request immediate remedial work.
	2.	If refused or ignored, report the issue to your local Building Control or the Local Authority—they can inspect for Building Regulation compliance.
	3.	Consider a Party Wall Surveyor, since roofing work that impacts the dividing structure between properties may fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

Shaun · Answer

You shouldn’t be seeing any daylight if they installed the roofing membrane correctly. Bonding gutters are problematic when they get filled with debris which then causes rainwater to overflow into the loft. Doesn’t sound ideal.

Neighbours new roof

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