What can I do about next door - falling apart

[Feelinfestive]

The house next door to me (terrace) is going to wrack and ruin. The person that lived in it was very pleasant but had some serious challenges (think hoarding situation). They passed away a few months ago and I have no idea what is happening with the house and no contact. I know the property was owned by them.
While they were alive I helped with the garden, I have continued to do that which is a ton of work in itself, and recently spent several thousand pounds on a tree surgeon to cut back dangerous trees in their garden.
The last straw tonight is I have discovered water all down my bedroom wall (the corner between my back exterior facing wall and the interior wall that adjoins their property). From what I don't know, and it's too dark to have a proper look, but I suspect either their roof/chimney or a burst pipe.
I phoned my home insurance but nothing will be progressed until tomorrow. Does anyone have any experience of this? Are my insurance likely to pay in this situation? It seems unlikely they would cover repairs on someone else's property. Would the council get involved? Does anyone have an idea of the legalities in this situation or what recourse I might have? I am worried this is going to take ages to resolve and all the while my property is getting more damaged.
I have stuck my head in the back door and the property is an absolute hazard inside I don't think you could go in or send anyone else in without protective gear on. Anyone have experience or advice?

Did they have children who may have inherited the house? If so I would try and make contact. Probate takes a while to go through but no doubt at some point the house will be sold so keep an eye on Rightmove etc. (Eventually) estate agents may give you a contact number though that doesn't solve the more immediate problem!
I would definitely ask the council to come and have a look as it sounds pretty hazardous with all the hoarding (fire risk) and possibly burst pipes. Ask their advice and also your insurance company. Not really sure what the insurance company can do though until the source issue is rectified.

@Feelinfestive

will Be stuck in probate
takes months to get ready then 16 weeks more once submitted

after that house will be tidied and sold I guess

Your insurance company should be able to advise - they will likely attempt to recoup their losses against the nect door's policy if one exists. It will be something that they deal with regularly.

It doesn't take 16 weeks. It might take more, or much less. I was granted probate for my dad after 24 hours. And that was during lockdown.

I agree with @20questions I’d contact Environmental Health at your local council re the leak. Freezing weather may make things worse.

@CellophaneFlower

currebt NW timings 16 weeks

@ce

@CellophaneFlower

doing now with company

You could also contact the fire service to get advice. They will know there’s a risk due to hoarding , although maybe mitigated by the fact she isn’t there anymore so no cooking etc. would it be possible to contact her heirs? Did she die in a care home? Maybe they could pass your details on and ask them to ring you? It’s in their interests that they don’t have to deal with a leak or other issue . The situation will pass eventually but I can understand it’s a worry now.

You can ask your local planning authority to have a look. They can issue a s.215 notice to have the property tidied up if they think it’s appropriate.

Why on earth would you spend several thousand pounds on their trees?

Guidance

Just wondering, did social services have contact with her? Maybe they could pass on your details to her family and ask if they can get in touch.

Thanks for the replies so far. To answer your questions

• no obvious immediate family that I am aware of, definitely no partner, children, brothers or sisters, no care home. Unsure about social work support although never saw anyone else actually entering the property. So it sounds like probate may take a while if they are trying to track down relatives

@20questions that's definitely my concern even if the insurance company fix the water damage in my property I don't think they have a remit to enter next door and fix their property so the problem will just continue

@MyTreeIsFake paid for the trees out of desperation to be honest. There were three fir trees just a few metres from the property taller than the house. Light was a big issue but some branches also got damaged in storms and were posing a hazard. It would have cost almost the same to sort the branches as have them taken down.

I am waiting on a call back from my insurance company but based on advice going to try council planning and fire as well to see if that helps. Thanks folks. Preparing myself for a day of being on hold a lot! :-(

Don't use a solicitor or any third party! Absolutely no need and in fact slows the process down. They have to wait a certain amount of time for any further beneficiaries to come forward. If you do it yourself, you don't. It's pretty straight forward and the probate department at HMRC are so helpful and will talk you through the whole process.

A strange one to be fair - did the neighbour have any family or close friends that you know (and know their whereabouts) ? -
That will be a starting point. I know someone who was in a similar position to you and they contacted the funeral directors who took care of the deceased body and put the neighbour in contact with the family. Under GDPR, they won’t be able to give out contact details without authorisation. Might be worth trying that route?
I really don’t think you should entering the property at all as it can be seen as trespassing. Also, if water is coming through your walls, it is evident that the damage in your neighbours property is much more severe.

Is the property listed? You could get a maintenance order if it is listed.

Is there a stop tap in the street serving the property? It might prevent further damage if it is a burst pipe. Might be an idea to call the water board.

Sorry you're dealing with this, sounds very stressful.

if there is a burst pipe that is damaging your property, then the police can break in to turn off the water and electric in the abandoned house. that should prevent the damage getting worse and reduce the fire risk.

Is the person on the other side of the terrace also having problems? They may have already contacted the council?

Is anyone picking up the post? If they are, stick something on the door asking them to pop round next door.

You can also report derelict buildings online

www.gov.uk/report-derelict-abandoned-building

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Managed to get hold of environmental health who were very responsive and helpful, although they have no power to really do anything. It turns out neighbour on other side has also had water damage. We have now managed to get water turned off and the property secured so at least that's halted anything getting worse in the short term. I am hoping it goes on the market quickly- sure it will go to auction, whoever gets it will have a job and a half on their hands sorting it out that's for sure (although if they can do it probably a tidy profit to be made)