Chimney

[Alltheyearround]

Terraced house (flats), chimney sits between two properties but is next door's responsibility (chimney for their now defunct coal fire).

Scaffolding up for months, roofer has come and done various bits, flashing, pointing etc water still coming into our side - think a whole stairway hall drenched in water like a buckets been thrown at it.

Looks as if roofer may now be saying its the chimney that needs to be replaced.

Currently our building and next door have paid 50 50 and scaffolding pre agreed cost not by the day.

What would you do? Second opinion while scaffold there (4 story building).

Next door, quite a difficult old lady, will not be pleased she may need new chimney.

Waiting to decorate but can't with a massive big wet wall in the hall!

Has been ongoing, I kid you not, since last Aug. We win some sort of scaffolding record I think. Tempted to make it into decorative feature. Hanging baskets?

Have to laugh, might cry otherwise.

Are you (or someone else in the flats) able to get up on the scaffolding with or without the roofer to see what’s going on? Yes, the chimney light need to be rebuilt, or there could be some shoddy work that the roofer is t taking responsibility for.

id get up there to take some pics

It's too high for us to go up I think. Wouldn't know what to look for either.

Might get someone qualified to have a look.

That’s fair enough. I’d suggest getting a surveyor to look rather than someone who would potentially do the work!! You’d need to pay a surveyor, but they will give a write up of what the issue is, what needs to be done to fix it and an estimated cost for the work to be carried out. At least that would help when you get quotes to know if it’s being massively over quoted/priced!!

@Wigtopia that's a great shout. Will suggest this.

If you don't have open fires, get the chimney blocked off and removed.

If you do this it needs to be done properly. There are regs around removing chimney stacks. You’d also need to consider ventilation too. Loads of the mould/damp conditions in the uk housing is due to people half thinking through these things and causing other issues elsewhere. Airflow is important!

If they are terraced houses converted into flats, then there will be a freeholder who is responsible for collecting a service charge and buildings insurance. Contact them.

If the freeholds of each house are shared between leaseholders, I'd be tempted to get advice from your buildings insurance legal cover.

We are all involved in the management and collection of service fees. That's another mess. 2 flats out of 4 refusing to contribute. They don't see the need or 'can't afford it'. Can afford take out pizza and trips to Ikea etc. Don't get me started. We do have buildings insurance.