Communal Repairs
Hi
We live in a terrace of five houses; all ex-Council, basically two-up, two-down houses.
Our house is end-terrace and we have a down-pipe at our gable, which appears to serve at least three of the houses (and, possibly, all five as we think – though are not sure – that the one other down-pipe, which is positioned at the fourth house in the row, has had the down-pipe capped at the base).
For two-three years, we’ve known that our down-pipe has been blocked and, to be honest, have done nothing about it. However, it’s now blocked up to the first floor and, when it rains, the rain simply pours down the roof over the gutter. We had planned to attempt to unblock it ourselves but, long story short, have not done so - not least because we simply cannot get the access plate at the bottom loose.
I asked a local roofer/builder to look at it today, he spent some time at it and advised that below the down-pipe is clear and our gutters are clear (although next door’s gutter is growing a roof garden). However, the blockage in the down-pipe is like a cork and the only way it can be removed would be to sheer the bolts (the down-pipe is cast-iron), dismantle the pipe, unblock it and then put the pipe back in place.
He advised me to speak to my neighbours and tell them that they (at least the two we know for sure are served by “our” down-pipe) should contribute a third of the cost. I’m at a loss and feel distinctly uncomfortable fronting up to my neighbours and saying hey, help pay this bill. To be honest, I think I’d be told “Oh, coming up to Christmas…” or “Oh, if I didn’t have to pay for ….” but, not having grown-up in Scotland, I’m not sure if there may perhaps be an expectation on the part of my neighbours that I would come to them at some stage. As I say, the down-pipe has been blocked for some years and they have never mentioned this to us; do you think it feasible they thought they would be asked to contribute to repairs, and simply let sleeping dogs lie?!
Many thanks for taking the time to consider this, and for any advice/help you can offer.
We live in a terrace of five houses; all ex-Council, basically two-up, two-down houses.
Our house is end-terrace and we have a down-pipe at our gable, which appears to serve at least three of the houses (and, possibly, all five as we think – though are not sure – that the one other down-pipe, which is positioned at the fourth house in the row, has had the down-pipe capped at the base).
For two-three years, we’ve known that our down-pipe has been blocked and, to be honest, have done nothing about it. However, it’s now blocked up to the first floor and, when it rains, the rain simply pours down the roof over the gutter. We had planned to attempt to unblock it ourselves but, long story short, have not done so - not least because we simply cannot get the access plate at the bottom loose.
I asked a local roofer/builder to look at it today, he spent some time at it and advised that below the down-pipe is clear and our gutters are clear (although next door’s gutter is growing a roof garden). However, the blockage in the down-pipe is like a cork and the only way it can be removed would be to sheer the bolts (the down-pipe is cast-iron), dismantle the pipe, unblock it and then put the pipe back in place.
He advised me to speak to my neighbours and tell them that they (at least the two we know for sure are served by “our” down-pipe) should contribute a third of the cost. I’m at a loss and feel distinctly uncomfortable fronting up to my neighbours and saying hey, help pay this bill. To be honest, I think I’d be told “Oh, coming up to Christmas…” or “Oh, if I didn’t have to pay for ….” but, not having grown-up in Scotland, I’m not sure if there may perhaps be an expectation on the part of my neighbours that I would come to them at some stage. As I say, the down-pipe has been blocked for some years and they have never mentioned this to us; do you think it feasible they thought they would be asked to contribute to repairs, and simply let sleeping dogs lie?!
Many thanks for taking the time to consider this, and for any advice/help you can offer.
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Replies
I'd also get it done sooner than later as you might already have damp in the roof with the blockage.
Thank you both for taking the time to read my query and, even more, for taking the time to reply.
Colino - yes, I think you’re right, in more ways than one. I wondered about the terrace/tenement thing too, as I know there are rules & expectations in relation to communal repairs in tenements. And, sadly, you’re right about the maintenance – we didn’t and we should have. I think it’s beyond rodding, as the guy said he did try with a mechanised version, so looks like it’s the dismantle and re-fit option.
Stormbreaker – no, none of the houses are owned by the Council any more, they’ve all been bought.
So, I think you’re right, Colino – time to get it fixed before it gets any worse and/or causes any more problems. As you/I say, we should have looked after it but we didn’t and we’ve no-one else to blame (or to expect to pay!).
Many thanks again to you both.
You have to comply with this notice.
Thanks for taking the time to read my query and to reply.
Davidscot – Yes, I’m aware of CPNs but we’re not refusing to get the work done, we simply haven’t done it yet (and, as I say, we know we should have…) but will do now.
Molerat – The guy did try with a mechanised drain-cleaner thing but it’s just so stopped up, he wasn’t able to make much headway.
So, looks like it’s the dismantle and re-fit option.
Thanks again for taking the time to read and reply.