Rear boundary wall- council or home owner?

Dizzy_Ditzy

Hi All

I hope this is the right forum to put this in

At the back of my parents house is block of council owned flats. The wall at the back of my parents garden backs on to this and has done for ever. There are trees behind this wall, which over time have obvioulsy grown and started to push the wall backwards into my parents garden.

The wall has now started to collapse

My dad has previously spoken to the council and they are denying that it is their responsibilty, but my parents arent the only people with this boundary wall at the back of their garden, there are about 25-30 houses with it.

I've advised them to speak to the council again and then straight onto citizens advice- is there anything else i can advise them to do?

Hoping that some lovely MSE guru's might be able to help :-)

Thanks in advance

QoC

macman

Does the wall belong to the council, or to your parents'?
I don't think the council or (indeed any property owners), are under a duty to maintain their own boundary wall, however there could possibly be a safety aspect to this if it is liable to collapse.
If the wall belongs to your parents, then yes they (the council) are liable for the damage and consequent repairs.

Dizzy_Ditzy

thank you- i have been google mapping it all, and the wall completely surrounds the flats which are definitely owned by the council- i will get my parents to check the deeds and with the land registry as well.

ormus

you need to find out who actually owns it.
the council have a duty of care, to the public. as do you and your parents.
if you own the wall and it hurts somebody, you could find yourself in court.