Wonky Chimney

[B00]

We have a leak in my daughter's bedroom and got a roofer to look at hat we thought might be missing slates due to the weather.

It turns out it's the house next door chimney that's got a lovely lean on it and pulled the surrounding tiles which happen to be on our side.

The house next door is a rented property (now empty) however i managed to get the phone number of the owner.

Having just rang him to tell him his chimney needs looking at and fixing, he's point blank refused and slammed the phone down on me.

Where do i stand? There's obviously no way he's now going to answer his phone if i ring again, and we do not have an address for him.

thanks

[B00]

Just spoke to the insurance company- they won't get involved.

Apparently they'll fix any damage to our property, but won't chase this guy to fix his property.

Not sure how that works, as until he fixes his, our problems wont go away.

[tonyav]

B00, I would see what the citizens advice say's about it if I were you.

[B00]

Am gonna tomorrow Tony when I finish work. Ta x

[tonyav]

Good luck then, B00.

[B00]

you think ringing the council will do anything? In all honesty it's got a lean on, I genuinely don't think it's about to topple over. But do you reckon I tell 'em I think it could?

[sherrardk]

Turn all stupid and 'fearful' - bang on about it possibly falling on an old person or children, tell them you are worried you will be sued, etc, etc. basically, lay it on with a trowel (say its not so much the damp in our house as it is the danger to others). If you don't ask, they definitely won't do anything

[The Builder]

Boo, if it's not going to topple, then your roof will be easy to fix. What's the roofer afraid of?

[B00]

Im so cheesed off about it all already to be honest Sherr. From the arse of a landlord who slammed the phone down on me to the vague sounding trollop from the insurance company who once she found our details, which took a bloody age, who was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

We're just scared that after much hair pulling and frustration we'll end up going "balls to it!" and pay for the bloody thing ourself, which we REALLY can't afford to do!

[B00]

Yes builder, but it's their chimney that caused the damage, so our argument is why should we pay anything?

[sherrardk]

Use your 'anger' to get it sorted. I am a massive complainer and it is so pleasing when I get things sorted (to my satisfaction). Ring the council, you've got nothing to lose, especially if it saves you a couple of bob.

[tamborine]

If you call out a surveyor for a pro opinion that you pay for, he can put your mind at rest and can tell you the way forward.

If there is a proven fault you can claim exes off llord or insurance.

[The Builder]

Ok, sorry, I assumed it was a shared chimney.

Your claim, in that case, is with his insurers. How the hell do you find out who they are?

[B00]

No builder, our chimney is on the opposite side of our house. And that's the million dollar question, lol.

[hc4361]

If the property is directly on the public highway then the council will take action but if it is behind a long garden, they won't as there will no possibility of injury to people on the pavement or road.

Get his details from the Land Registry, send him a letter by recorded delivery. If he chooses to ignore it, send another saying you will have no option but to take him to the County Court using the Small Claims' Procedure to recover the monies.

Keep copies of all letters.