garden wall needs replacing - neighbour refuses to share cost

[Sunnyshores]

Victorian terrace, the shared garden wall is about to fall down. I have the original title deeds and plans, responsibility for boundaries is not shown. My solicitor says in these cases it should be 50/50 split.

I have had quotes of £1500+ to replace. Originally back in April when I wrote to the owner (we are both landlords) he agreed 50/50 share, since then he's dragged his heels and now refuses to pay and say the boundary is mine.

Part of me is tempted to just let the wall fall down, it will fall into his garden. But we both have tenants with young children so I cant do this. Likewise I'm not going to pay it all myself.

Any suggestions?

Not sure you can do this, but could you ask via your solicitor that he formally agrees the 'new' boundary with you?

However, probably better to avoid a dispute and pay for the repair, set out your position and request payment of half the cost. What, if anything, do you gave in writing from him?

Do you have to do it for that much (if cost is the issue)? Could you get a fence instead?

Perhaps he would agree if it cost less. If our garden wall fell down there would be no way we could afford 800 ish just like that.

Good point Fairy - can it be partially rebuilt for less? Neighbours had that done after someone drove into their wall, bringing part of it down.

Has it been condemned - officially - I think maybe the council do that I don't know. If you go ahead and replace without proof that it needed replacing then you probably would have to pay the whole thing.

Can his tenants put pressure on him on safety grounds? They must be concerned if it is their side that is at risk?

I agree that you need to consider how important it is to replace with an expensive wall although I know fences aren't that cheap either. Walls are more though - £1500 doesnt sound bad I know someone having a wall rebuilt costing about £5000. But they have to dig huge foundations and use special old bricks or reuse the existing ones.

Reducing the cost may help, but he just seems a crap landlord.

The fence quote was still £1000 as all the wall needs to be removed and the waste carried through the house and disposed of. Its a long boundary too

Back in April I sent him a quote for £500 which he agreed to pay £250, although he wanted me to pay it all first! When I asked this guy to do the work, he then said that it didnt exclude this that or the other and the total was £1000.

Neighbours Agent then got a couple of quotes £1500+. Neighbour then changed his mind and said the £250 was a gesture of goodwill as it was my boundary.

Hadnt thought about speaking to the Council, know they're hot on substandard housing damp etc, may be interested in garden safety too. Thanks

Thinking about this OP, I would get a couple more quotes myself for repairing the wall, using the original materials where possible. The neighbour's agent probably uses larger, VAT registered firms for these kinds of jobs. They will offer a full building service and they will often be more expensive than the small local building company or bricklayer.