Serious neighbour problem. Please help?
I have a serious problem with my neighbours. I live in the UK, and there is flat roofing adjoining our two houses. Their flat roof has deteriorated over a number of years, and is allowing water to leak into our house, not theirs. We have written confirmation of this from our insurers, who have said they will repair the damage done to our house, once the neighbours have repaired their roof.
Unfortunately, the neighbours are not cooperating. They claim they had their roof fixed not long ago (which is a lie), and dispute that this is their fault. They have refused to fix their roof. This first happened 2 years ago, and we let the matter drop because of a number of major personal problems at home.
The roof has started leaking again -badly. The damage is extensive, and the neighbours are still refusing to fix it. I have contacted my insurers who say again that the neighbours have to fix their roof first, but they cant enforce anything.
What do I do? Where do I stand legally?
Tagged with: Flat Roofing • Neighbours • Problems At Home
Filed under: Maintenance & Repairs
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hertfordshire repairing roof
I don’t know how it is in the UK, but here in the US you could take them to court. You might want to talk with a lawyer and look up the bylaws about your situation.
Good luck!
hertfordshire flat roof design
Fix your roof on your own.
Get a lawyer, and take it to court to sue your neighbor for your money back. If you have documented proof that it is the neighbors responsibility to repair their roof, you’ll win.
Here in the USA we have something called “small claims court” and you can sue up to a certain amount, usually $5,000.00.
If it costs more than that amount you have to go to civil court, and hire an attorney.
You should fix it soon and just sue your neighbor to reimburse you, and for the damage done to your property.
If you wait any longer it will be bad weather and you’ll have more damage.
Maybe have the roofer put some great gutters on there and divert all the garbage and water on to their roof also!
hertfordshire flat roofs
Is it for sure that your part of the roof don’t leak?
Just why do you feel that the neighbors roof leaks in to your roof?
Are the roofs of the same heights?
Do you share a common wall?
Do both roofs join together as one. Is there a space of any kind between the two roofs.
Does the wall that is between your house go all the way up past the roof?
Do you each have a wall that ***** up to the other?
Does the water on your roof drain away good when it rains?
Where does the rain water go to, from each roof.
Does the water on the neighbors run off good as it should?
Or does any drain on to your roof?
Well I would say that you paid for your insurance & that there is a problem that is covered by insurance & it is up to them to fix it.
If there is negligence on the part of the neighgbors you could take them to court. There are sure to have been cases like yours
before & laws to cover what can be done.
If indeed your neighbou is negligent he can be sued. I would think that your insurance company couldbe obligated to help settle this matter.
So check out the roof as good as you can. You want to be sure that the problem isn’t with your roof. You may end up with egg on your face.
Call your insurance company and tell them you have problem that you have insurance for. Ask them for help with this problem.
Have them state in writing what they plan to do about the problem. Or why they plan to do nothing. Ask them for leagal help with your neighbor. If they refuse to help you may have a case to sue them.
Send a registered lettle to your neighbor stating the problem & how it seems to be coming from his roof. Also tell where you stand with the insurance company. Tell them you need help in this matter from them because the roofs are common or that they connect. Share all the information you have about the problem.
If in working on your roof they may have to do things with your neighbors roof. For this reason you need your neighbors support
if he fails to help you to resolve the problem you can sue him.
Because this seems to be going to be a big mess you should seek legal advice.
But first calm;y go over this with you neighbor & your insurance company. Tell them both you have this problem but that they are both need in the solution to the problem. And that you are coming to them first for help. And if they offer you no help you don’t have much recourse but to see a lawyer for help
I see no need to say you will sue either one or both of them at this time.