Neighbours Roof causing damp Post Reply

[Vhopeful]

Hi,

Our loft upstairs has bad damp problems on the wall, after having a builder/roofer out to check he feels the issue is coming from the neighbours roof which has a hole in it and also has some pointing/grouting issues on his side of the party wall. I spoke to said neighbour about 5-6 weeks ago and asked him politely to please get someone to look at it. I have spoke to him twice since and it appears that he still hasn't got a serious quote from someone to repair the roof and in the mean time my wall just gets worse.
I am really begining to get stressed by the matter (not helped by the fact I'm heavily pregnant) and I was wondering if anyone has encountered similar and what steps would you take next in order to try and force him to fix his roof ASAP. I really do want to be neighbourly and was willing to cover the repairs to my wall myself but as time goes on I just feel so fustrated by the situation....

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[legalconsultant]

I am a self-employed construction lawyer and mum based BTC, and have previously advertised my services on NVN (search "legal consultant"). As a starter for 10, I suggest you do the following:
1. get your builder to prepare a report which states his view of the causes of the damage to your house and what work needs to be done to rectify it, together with a statement of what work needs to be done to your neighbour's house to stop any reoccurence of damage to your house plus the costs of the work to each house
2. make notes of the conversations you have already had with your neighbour, with dates, to start a record
3. go and speak to your neighbour again, explain the seriousness of the problem and give him / her a copy of your builder's report and tell him your builder is ready and willing to help him fix the problem (get your builder to agree to this beforehand!). Then make a note.
4. speak to your insurance company and let them know what is happening - if your neighbour refuses to fix the problem within a sensible time given the risk of further damage (your builder can advise), you may need/ wish to get the works done to your house (not to your neighbour's obviously) to prevent further damage, and claim on insurance for reimbursement or to get your damage fixed - dep on the timing. The ins co will want to know if they can claim the costs from someone eise who is causing the damage i.e. the neighbour - based on your builder's report.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

[BettyBoo]

I recently had a similar issue. Our new plaster wouldn't dry in one place and our builder identified a perished felt roof that was leaking.

We did as advised above. Actually offered our builder to quote and then fix it. It was done in two weeks. People just find things a hassle to sort or don't know who to talk/trust to get fixed.

Good luck, it is a pain.

[Vhopeful]

Thanks guys for the great advice, added complication i have is my builder said he wouldn't go near their roof as its in such a bad state of repair he thinks the whole thing needs replacing....
Will give the neighbour the week and then go visit him again with the quote for fixing my wall and see wherer we stand.