dormer window roof repairs - do i pay?

[TheProfessor]

my neighbour upstairs has done some work to the roof of their dormer window and has sent me a bill for half the cost. Am I liable for that part of the roof?
Also, there was no estimate for the repair and I wasn't consulted in any way before the work was done, I just got a note and copy of the bill through the door. Sureley they must consult me and get estimates if they expect me to pay for the work! If I am even responsible for that part of the roof????

[brenda]

I am so sorry , but I don't understand your question.

Do you both own the property ?
How are you responsible for the roof, is this written somewhere ?

But my own feeling on this would be that I wouldn't be inclined to pay anything towards a repair that someone else had organised , unless I had to do so legally.
And even then I would not be happy that I had not been included in the earlier stages of negotiation about the repair.So they would have to wait quite a time for their money.
This may not help at all , but I am not that clear about your situation.

[barry1010]

Look at the terms of your freehold/leasehold. If you all own the building you may all be equally liable for the roof repairs.

[cassa333]

Tell him to claim on the buildings insurance?

What did the note say? Did it say what was done and why? Was it repairs or just cosmetic ? and why he chose these particular builders? Did you see this work done? Has he sent you a bill AND had the work done?

You could always get damp proofing done downstairs and charge him.

[TheProfessor]

The building has been converted into flats. I live downstairs and my neighbour is upstairs. The roof is obviously owned by us both. I am unsure if i am responsible for repairs to the part of the roof which forms the dormer window.

The roof was not leaking. The gutter was loose and has been replaced and some loose tiles have been replaced. I think the other gutters have also been cleaned.

The bill was almost �500. does this sound expensive?

[Twenty20]

If you are downstairs why do you think you own, or part own, the roof? Who has the benefit of the window? The person upstairs I presume.

[heathfield]

It will depend on what it says in the deeds as to who is responsible for roofing costs for the flats. Sometimes it's the top flat owner, sometimes it's everyone in the block - the deeds really ought to say. In Scotland, roofs will often come under the description of ''common repairs''. In the past, all owners had to agree to work being done before it went ahead. Obviously this caused problems where an owner would refuse. The local council could then demand the work take place, and, if there were still no agreement, the council would have the work carried out and charge the owners on a pro rata basis. As I understand it, new regulations allow a majority vote by owners to be sufficient for work to go ahead. But in any event, if you were liable to a share of costs you should have been consulted beforehand, the work should have gone to tender, and you should have been given an estimate of the cost to you.

[TheProfessor]

It's just the two of us that share the roof but i am not sure if the dormer window is seperate because is it their window!

If I dont pay because i was not consulted and there were no estimates, would i win if it went to court??

[baileybird]

If i were yo , I would speak civilly to the neighbour and say you were not aware that this was your responsibility, and you would have appreciated being consulted before the works were carried out. Infom the neighbour that if your solicitor confirms that you are responsible for this payment, you will obtain alternative retrospective quotes for the works and pay half of the middle quote. Then, pop along to your solicitor for clarification.
I wouldn't hand the money over immediately out of principle, even if you are responsible, and tell them that you will pay it when you have it, as you had no notification that it was going to be charged.

[katerich48]

Some years ago I lived in a house that had been converted into 4 flats... when the roof needed replacing we were all given a quarter of the bill to pay and it was a damn site more the �500 what with all the scaffolding..so yes you do have to pay as if there was no roof it would affect you too..but we did get estimates first and managed to get the roofers to use a lot of the old tiles to cut down on the cost.