Could this building collasp.. please help.

GDB2222

poppysarah wrote: »

But insurance is the way to go now?

Legal expenses insurance you mean? That's a bit of a scam, actually. The insurers sell your claim to solicitors. The solicitors then do the work on a no-win/no-fee basis. You are probably better off just finding local solicitors who work on this basis.

GDB2222

Sammy85 wrote: »

I would have thought if you rung your insurers and said there are big cracks appearing in my house they would send their own engineer out to assess and take it from there themselves. Its in their interests to deal with it before it becomes a major fix and costs escalate. It may cost you your excess, but if it is your neighbours who have caused the problems them you'll get that back when the insurers go after them for the money.

But your insurance won't cover you for cracks in the ceiling. Unless the cracks are due to one of the insured perils (fire, storm, subsidence, etc), insurance won't touch it.

KKKKP

ab7167 wrote: »

I am a structural engineer - you need one. Cracks you can put a £1 coin in need to be looked at! I am nowhere near you unfortunately, but you can get a recommendation from Institute of Structural Engineers, they maintain a register of suitably qualified people. The other possible avenue might be the NHBC? If the warranty on your house is still valid they may help, although if built in 2000 I'm guessing it might have just expired? Also when you speak to the Local Authority, don't ask for Planning - they will not be interested, it is the Building Control department you need. They should be interested - I would hope! He would have needed BC permission to convert, which, incidentally, would have covered sound transmission issues as well. Best of luck with this, be persistent!

ive just checked my papers with NHBC .. I still have a month left, can you believe that.. i have just phoned them and they told me to take a picture and email it to them..
just wondered which way would the timber joist be place.. from their front door ro my gable wall or sideways from lintel to lintel.. as i can find out which way they have beenn placed.. the pictures are on my 1st page. thank you so much!!

chris_m

The main supporting beams MUST run across the driveway between their wall and yours - I sincerely hope they aren't just timber too, not with the weight of that many bricks and tiles (plus room contents) on top of just two of them.
The floor will probably then be supported on joists running parallel with the driveway, from front to back.

The "rusty nails" in your second pic aren't much to worry about BTW - I think they are just holding the cladding up under the floor.

puddy

GDB2222 wrote: »

But your insurance won't cover you for cracks in the ceiling. Unless the cracks are due to one of the insured perils (fire, storm, subsidence, etc), insurance won't touch it.

but they cant tell whether its due to one of those without inspecting it, given OP vital evidence

what i cant understand is why is the LA not interested, I thought they got involved if there were dangerous structures?

Salz

If they are going to sell their house, and someone decides to buy it, they will have a survey. If there is a problem, the surveyor will pick it up, and your neighbours will have to do something about it.
If they dont pick anything up, then at the very least you will have got rid of your neighbours.
So this could be the answer to all your problems

hethmar

I really cant believe how awful this situation is. I had a neighbour from hell and I do know about the smirking when he thinks he has got away with something by lying to the police. I would tell you to ring 999 if he trespasses on your property or bangs on your windows. Scream down the line that you think he is going to attack you and hold up your phone so they can hear him. I got our NFH an harassment warning doing just that. He has also now had a total of £2500 in fines and the police have me logging every incident with them. You need to get them on your side. Write all what has happened and send it to your Chief Constable.

Re the building works. I just cant understand how Buildings Control arent interested? Contact your local councillor. Ask them down to see the situation and ask them to take it to Buildings Control.

There is a website called Neighbours from Hell - its free to join and there is a lot of support and advice on there.

If you do have legal cover with your insurance, contact them now. They will be able to take some of this off your shoulders.

I do so hope you get this resolved and some peace. xxx

useless

I just wanted to lend my moral support and really hope you can work through this, it sounds to me that you've been incredibly strong and resilient in the face of this behaviour. I only wish I could help with more practical advice but can see the great members of mse are offering lots of helpful suggestions as usual. I really wish you the best of luck

KKKKP

chris_m wrote: »

The main supporting beams MUST run across the driveway between their wall and yours - I sincerely hope they aren't just timber too, not with the weight of that many bricks and tiles (plus room contents) on top of just two of them.
The floor will probably then be supported on joists running parallel with the driveway, from front to back.

The "rusty nails" in your second pic aren't much to worry about BTW - I think they are just holding the cladding up under the floor.

Thank you for your reply.. i was told by the builder that the beams will not be strong enough and will need to be changed and for extra surport place pillars onn all 4 sides. i have just checked the photos and the timber beams are running from their front door to my gable wall..

KKKKP

useless wrote: »

I just wanted to lend my moral support and really hope you can work through this, it sounds to me that you've been incredibly strong and resilient in the face of this behaviour. I only wish I could help with more practical advice but can see the great members of mse are offering lots of helpful suggestions as usual. I really wish you the best of luck

Thank you so much.. ive been through too much, i was diagnosed with depression as my hair started to fall out aswell as my eyebrows, my hair is startin to grow back but my eyebrows are still very faint.. .. thank you again for your reply x