Leaking pipe damage

daz2712

Got a problem with my neighbour and need a bit of advice.

Noticed over 12mnths ago that their overflow pipe is constantly leaking water and asked them to fix it. The long and short of it is that they haven't fixed it and its still leaking water on to my kitchen wall.
Anyway,noticed yesterday that the whole bottom part of the wall in our kitchen is now damaged and soaking wet. The paint is peeling off and the plasterboard is damaged to the point that I pushed it and and my hand went straight through it!!!! So now we have a hole in the wall!!
We've organised someone to repair the damage but they said its pointless until my neighbour stops the leak. Went round an saw him and he blah blah blah yes I'll fix it. What can I do though if he still doesn't fix the leak? What can my next course of action be?

I'm pretty sure he hasn't got house insurance so don't think I can claim against him for the damage to my property. I'm left with the bill to repair the damage but I don't know how I can force him to repair the leak.

Can anyone give me some advice please?

TonyMMM

daz2712 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure he hasn't got house insurance so don't think I can claim against him for the damage to my property.
QUOTE]

Your claim is against HIM, whether he has insurance or not, or passes it on to his insurance company (if he has one) is his problem, not yours.

You notifed him that there was a problem from his overflow causing damage to your property, and he has failed to put it right - so I don't think you will have any issue with liability.

Optimist

Firstly remember you have to continue living next to your neighbour so a friendly resolution is something to aim for, plus you do have to disclose any disagreement when you sell, even if you so much as get a solicitor to write to him

I think my favoured option would be to involve your insurance company and leave it up to them to chase your neighbour, this however will likely mean you have a excess to pay on your next renewal.

If the worse come to the worse you could go to a small claims court but remember that is likely to lead to bad feeling so I would suggest that is the last resort option .

Mankysteve

Construct some kinda barrier so it reflects the water back on to his wall and causes him damp problem That'll teach him. Should be too difficult with a bit of timer, some roof felt.

daz2712

Mankysteve wrote: »

Construct some kinda barrier so it reflects the water back on to his wall and causes him damp problem That'll teach him. Should be too difficult with a bit of timer, some roof felt.

Was thinking along those lines today. Was also tempted to bend his overflow pipe so its directing the water on to his property but thought better of it. I'd probably end up being liable for damages as I've tampered with his pipe.

Your idea seems quite good though. My extension roof is right next to the pipe in question. If I was to fasten something on to my roof which deflected the water away from my wall,would I be liable for any damages if it caused problems on his side?

mikey72

Report it to the local water authority as well.

Hintza

Think you will need to send him something in writing (currently no time line as you word against his).

But agree with above try and keep it reasonably friendly, invite him in to see damage and explain that it is not worth repairing until the cause has been repaired.

daz2712

Just a quick update.

Got up this morning and his pipe is leaking water everywhere again. Had a word with him about it again and he just shrugged his shoulders...:mad:

Think I'm gonna have to ring Enviromental Health and my house insurance to see what I can do because he isn't interested!!

ajb69

Personally not sure that Environmental Health would be any use.

I'd just go round one last time and say -

look, I've got this damage, and I can't afford to repair it, so I'll need to claim on my insurance. I've given them a ring and they're sending an assessor around, but they did say they may get in touch with you and look to reclaim the cost from you or your insurer. It's out of my hands, but if they do - I just wanted you to know so it didn't come out of the blue.

You'd be amazed how many people spring into action when they think that something "official" may happen; but if they don't, you're still covered either way by your home insurance...you claim from them, and they they reclaim any cost they want from your neighbour.

Hope this makes sense..

drew

mikey72

Overflows are good until they block up.

It's cold, it could freeze up and flood him, not you.
I also looked at an overflow plugged with a spiders nest.

You can but hope.

smcaul

Seems to me that you have been nice up till now, he is being a pain. If you can reach it I would just put a cork in the end, then it will become his problem very, very quickly.