Chimney

[Daij]

I live in a row of terraced houses. Next doors chimney is derelict and dangerous. It needs re pointing or even rebuilding. the problem is, the chimney is on my roof. Who would be responsible to meet the cost of this work?

[boxtops]

Is there anything about this on your deeds? Freehold or leasehold? A relative has a similar issue where there is a flying freehold, where there is overlapping rooms and downpipes etc. Can you describe how their chimney comes to be situated on your roof?

[Daij]

The street is on a hill, all houses host theneighbours chimneys as you look down the hill. they were built like that. I had mine taken taken down years ago because I have central heating and have no need for it. It was on next-doors-up roof, if that makes sense.

[boxtops]

It's an unusual situation, but surely it's the responsibility of the home owner to repair their own property. If it causes damage to your roof, it would be their buildings insurers who would deal with it. IMO.

[FrogNog]

It seems sensible to me that they are responsible for it. After all, if the onus was on you, you could just take it down, but what if they needed it?
It doesn't make common sense for it to be your responsibility.
I'm no expert though and I'm sure someone else will be able to give you a more logical answer.

[boxtops]

Your neighbours in the terrace must all be in the same boat - have you asked them what their view is, what they'd do?

[buildersmate]

Talk to Building Control at your local authority. They are the surveyors who decide whether your extension is being correctly by your chosen builder. But they have another role – to keep property safe from members of the public or neighbours doing stupid things that cause damage to another’s property or person. So, for example, they can issue an instruction to a property owner compelling him to undertake repairs to prevent a likely collapse of a structure (into the public highway or into another building).
In certain extreme circumstances, they can force undertaking of the work and force the owner to cough up later.

[Daij]

Thanks to you all