Work required to shared chimney stack

Southend1

Hi all

I wasn't sure whether to post here or in the DIY forum, however I know there are some posters here with knowledge of this kind of issue so decided to post here.

I had a builder round to the house today to follow up on some points raised in the survey I had done when I bought it last November. He confirmed that some re-pointing work is needed to the shared chimney stack. I am happy to pay for this work as the builder will need to be on the roof anyway to do a couple of other jobs for me. However in regard to the stack being shared what do I need to do? Is it just a case of checking with the neighbour that he's okay with this? Or is there some kind of formal notice I need to write to him? I think I may have heard somewhere that shared chimney stacks come under the party wall act however I'm not sure if this is true and if so what are the implications of this.

Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance.

dimbo61

Pop next door and have a chat with your neighbour and tell him your plans ?
Does the whole stack need repointing ? would he/she be prepared to help pay for the work

Southend1

Yes the whole stack needs doing. I doubt the neighbour is in a position to contribute as he is unemployed and on benefit so I don't want to put him in an awkward position by asking for any money as it's hardly going to cost me any more to do the whole thing as just to do half when the builder is already on the roof to fix some lead flashings anyway. I was just more concerned about doing it right from a legal point of view. I'm sure the neighbour won't object but just want to be safe rather than sorry.

Emmzi

just ask him. He'll probably be happy enough, you don't need any paperwork!

00ec25

Emmzi wrote: »

you don't need any paperwork!

naughty, the OP asked for correct advice not what you might like, typing "shared chiimney stack and party wall" into google produces this as the first result...

What work needs a party wall
agreement?
If you intend to carry out building work which
involves the following you must notify all
affected neighbours.
Work on an existing party wall or party structure
including a chimney breast or stack shared with

another property.


www.wandsworth.gov.uk/download/1217/a_guide_to_party_walls


obviously doing the party wall paperwork is the "correct" way to go about it but even so the friendly apprach may be all that is necessary in reality

Southend1

Thanks guys. So legally I should give written notice of what I intend to do.

pauletruth

what you should and what you need to do are diffrent. if the neighbours ok with it just get the job done

Southend1

Yes I will likely just have a chat with him first but forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes so at least I know what I 'should' be doing or what to do if the neighbour doesn't seem happy with it. Thanks to everyone who posted.

G_M

The Party Wall Act is there to provide protection for neighbours from each other when working on shared walls/chimneys etc, and to provide a process fo dealing with these matters.

Whether you and your neighbour choose to follow the Act's process (which adds costs) is up to you both to agree.

If things are amicable, it may be unecessary though it would stillbe wise to have some written agreement about who is paying what, and what will happen if once work starts, damage is done or more work is found to be needed.

If things are less amicable, follow th Act.

Southend1

Thanks G_M .... great advice as usual and thanks too for the link, it has some useful template letters if I decide to put it in writing. It seems the worst case if I don't is that the builder will damage something belonging to next door (roof tiles etc) and it would then be my responsibility to put this right but I imagine this could well be the case if I do give written notice anyway. He seems like a good natured chap so I'm pretty confident he will be ok with just a chat in advance.

ognum

There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't get your neighbour to sign the Party Wall documentation even if you are doing this on a friendly basis.

It is available to read and to download templates of the correct forms on the web under the Office of the Deputy Primeminister!

the party wall act is set up to protect your neighbour and you and if you have legally established that he is happy for you to do the work this is the starting point.