Liable for work done on new property.

2009ponyboy

Hello,

Hope someone can answer this question.

We are hopefully moving homes in a few weeks to a house which has had major internal works such as load bearing walls removed and chimney stacks.

We have heard from a friend that the neighbour of said house is claiming that there has been damage caused due to the work.

If we proceed with the purchase would we be liable for any work needed to rectify there property?

FireWyrm

Um...yes. If your new house which you have presumably bought pulls the neighbours house down, then of course you have to pay. Have you got a survey on this money pit that's had it's whole structure ripped out? I wouldnt touch it with a barge pole now. Who authorised the work?

tom9980

run a mile! then run two more!!

mrginge

Let me guess. This is your 'dream home'

vegasbaby100

What damage are we talking? is the neighbour saying that there has been p;aster cracking due to work on party wall or are they saying that the adjustments are casuing structual issues to their property that are on going?

ess0two

More importantly what did the survey reveal.

martinthebandit

I am sorry to have to say this but the advice you have been given on this thread already is probably the best advice your going to get.

Either the alterations have caused structural problems in the house next door, or your new neighbour is a pain in the proverbial and exaggerating the problems to get what he can out of you.

Either way you are going to walk into lots of problems, I cannot see, from the limited information you have posted how this is going to end any other way than badly for you.

Doozergirl

It's entirely likely that some superficial cracking could have occured to the plasterwork with the vibrations of the work being carried out next door.

If you have had a survey then I would have a chat with the surveyir. If the completed work has a certificate of Building Control Approval then I doubt that next door has any major issue.

Why not knock on the neighbours door? Introduce yourselves, ask if there was any damage, Have a look for yourself and get their side of the story. Ask the vendors directly as well - let them sort it out as it is their duty to rectify any damage. You don't own the house yet!

What is the point of drawing outrageous conclusions about the structural stability of the buding from a bit of hearsay?

paddedjohn

Surely if the problem already exists then any claim is against the old owners and their insurance company, if i caused damage with my car and sold it on then the liability stops with me and doesnt transfer to the new owner.

2009ponyboy

Many thanks for all your reply's.

To our knowledge the neighbour is only talking about cracking to there plaster, we only had the basic survey and the council has singed off all work carried out.

I would of thought that the dispute would be between the builder and the neighbour but that's what I'm not to sure about as I don't want a bill in a few months time saying we are liable as its our house.

jbainbridge

Maybe ask your solicitor's opinion. A full survey might be worth it too!