My neighbour’s new shed is touching my house and I’m worried about damage – what are my rights?

A DISGRUNTLED homeowner is seeking advice after their neighbour built a shed right next to a shared wall.

When it comes to property spats, it can be tricky to know where you stand, so we shed some light on your rights.

Despite being on good terms with their neighbour, the homeowner explained that shed plans were kept hush-hush.

The neighbour reportedly began building it during the early hours of the morning.

In a forum on , the homeowner wrote: "My neighbour's built a shed right next to my back wall with no gap.

"My wall is 8ft, and his shed will be around 12ft when the roof is on, meaning if it rains, over time it'll cause damage.

"Not only this, but it's blocked out light, because the shed itself is not at ground level - it's been put on a raised platform."

We spoke to some experts to reveal where this homeowner, and those in a similar predicament, stand.

Can you build a shed without permission?

Paula Higgins, chief executive of , said: "Outbuildings such as sheds normally do not require planning permission, and fall into permitted development rights."

However, she added, this is only the case if the outbuilding is single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres, and a maximum overall height of three to four metres (depending on the type of roof).

If the shed is within two metres of the neighbour's house, the maximum height allowed without planning permission is 2.5 metres.

How close can a shed be to a joint fence?

Paula told The Sun: "The neighbour may need to get a  in place with the property owner if the shed is being built within three metres of their property, and if the construction is brick and not timber."

There are no specific laws preventing sheds being built next to fences as long as the above rules are followed.

But the situation can change if the outbuilding causes damage to an adjoining property.