Problem with shared chimney. Next doors HA

[PuraVida]

We're one half of a semi. The other half is owned by a housing association

We've got an issue with water ingress through cracked chimney render.

I've spoken to our neighbour who wasn't all that interested. I said we'd need the permission of the HA to do any work to resolve it and could she speak to them.

She's just said she's phoned them and they're fine with us doing what needs doing

I'd rather hoped (expected?) that the cost should be shared

Is that right? She said she's checked and they've not got a problem but whereas our loft is converted and so the damp is very apparent, theirs is not so perhaps it's not obvious if there's a problem their side. Perhaps there isn't

Duh - the question is should we expect to share the cost with the HA?

Ring the HA yourself. I'd want something in writing from them to cover myself.

If it's a housing association I would say that they may be more interested in maintaining their property stock than a private landlord. If it's a large HA it may even have a maintenance officer employed. I would call them direct.
You can't just do work to someone else's chimney without permission (and it's not the tenant's chimney). We had a similar issue with our neighbours whose house (privately owned) is in a terrible state, getting worse every year. We ended up paying for half the work even though really it was their liability; we just wanted it done. They couldn't see the damp I feel sure must have been coming from holes in their roof because of their fitted wardrobes - but it blew a lot of plaster loose in our house. We were only able to do a not very satisfactory temporary fix on the roof as they weren't able to afford the new roof they really need, - so it's still a problem waiting to happen again.

Hi PuraVida

As others have said always contact the Housing Association directly yourself.

If there are issues with their property or their tenant the HA has a duty to look into the matter. I have a HA neighbour and if I need permission to do anything relating to the party wall or need access to next doors garden to carry out work on my house I contact the HA. The HA then let the neighbour know what's happening. Works particularly well if you don't get on with the neighbour! If you do get on with them you yourself can let them know what's been agreed with the HA.

Thanks all great advice, I'll give them a call tomorrow :)

from what you read on here, HA's have much LESS interest in maintaining their stock than a private landlord!

they certainly seem to get away with a lot more.

make damn sure you don't get stuck with one of their contractors, many horror stories.

Ooo err that's interesting. Being totally inexperienced and not knowing any local builders, nor anyone to recommend one I'd sort of hoped they would have good people to use. Seems not 🤔

Exeellent advice though thanks, I'm
Going to have to invest some time as well as money in this