Neighbours chimney in danger of falling.

sallyj20

My neighbours chimney is in a bad state of repair and is in danger of actually falling away from their property (this is a chimney breast that runs up the whole side of the neighbours house, the properties are detached but the space between our bungalow and the chimney is approx 3').

There is a visible gap between the chimney breast and the side of their house. If this were to fall away the chimney would fall onto the roof of our bungalow, more worringly is that my son's bedroom is right in the path of the chimney should it fall.

Please would anyone give me some advice on how to get our neighbours to repair this. We have asked them several times to get the chimney repaired but nothing has been done.We first pointed out this problem to them in January of this year.

jc808

Id report it to the council - dangerous structure in imminent danger of collapse

macman

Give them 30 days notice (in writing, by recorded delivery) that you will start a civil action against them if they do not carry out the repairs.
That might focus their minds.
What reason have they given for not doing the work?
I'd take some photos of the chimney and it's condition right now in case you need them.

teneighty

What jc808 said but to give a bit more detail it is the Building Control Department at the council you need.

If its as bad as you say they will come out immediately and have the power to demolish the dangerous structure if the owner does not comply with the notice served on them.

Valli

I'd go with contacting the council (not least because they will save YOU running up a legal cost bill) but I would also photograph the chimney, as has been suggested.

If they have already had this drawn to their attention and haven't acted the council can force the issue.

muckybutt

Council and or Fire Service, they can both issue emergency improvement notices for unsafe buildings or parts thereof.

I recently reported a shop next door to one I maintain, the rendering on the back of the property was all coming away, you might not think rendering coming away was too dangerous ? it is when its 4 storeys up !

I phoned the non emergency number for the local Fire Service and explained the situation to them, they sent a fire safety officer around more or less straight away. He had words with the tenant and he issued an emergency improvement notice there and then, he also informed the council as well.

sallyj20

Many thanks for all your replies. We have already taken photo's which clearly show the extent of the damage. As we have written to the neighbours and supplied them with the photo's I think I will just call the council, the fire brigade and anyone else I can think of!!
I was pretty sure that the neighbours were obligated to repair this as it really is coming away from the wall but nice to get confirmation and also who I needed to contact. Thank you