Something's growing out of my chimney ..

bluedog

I have something growing out of my chimney pot and am now stumped as to where I stand with it! (no puns intended) I've lived here for 6-7 years and it's a rented house from a housing association. (It was originally a council house which was bought by the tenant and then sold to the HA and I'm the first tenant of it.)

The fire place was blocked off with a wooden panel before I came here and the hearth is still there. Anyway, a few weeks ago, with the dry weather I was getting frequent stuff falling down the chimney. It happened from time to time when it rained so wasn't too fazed by it until it sounded heavier and louder than usual. There are no squawkings or flapping noises so doubted it could be birds, so just kept an open mind ... until a louder thudding happened at midnight making both my dog and myself leap out of our skins. The next morning I spoke to the housing repairs team who told me to just keep an eye/ear on it and if I had any bad smells to just put it down to being birds. They wouldn't accept that given it's a wooden panel I think we'd hear more noises ... and the time it happened was deemed irrelevant, but if there was anything else, to call again.

Well, I've now got a plant of some description growing out of the pot so I rang them again to see what they want to do and say about it. They have decided that it is their role to carry out repairs for wear and tear and if I want it removed, I have to do it myself. OK .. fair enough perhaps? My question now is where do I stand if damage is being done to the chimney because of this plant? I can't do it myself or know anyone who can and certainly can't afford to have someone out. If I can't get it removed and it damages the chimney will I be liable for subsequent repairs?

Any ideas on what I should do or who to speak to will be much appreciated.

Jnelhams

If you have a copy of the letter you sent them telling what the problems are, it is all done to them if they choose to ignore it. If you have gas fires you could call the council's enviromental health department, and they can force the H.A. to act as this would be highly dangerous. You could of course tell the enviroment that their are smells and they will come and take a look and then point out the plant!

Jnelhams

If you have a copy of the letter you sent them telling what the problems are, it is all down to them if they choose to ignore it. If you have gas fires you could call the council's enviromental health department, and they can force the H.A. to act as this would be highly dangerous. You could of course tell the enviroment that their are smells and they will come and take a look and then point out the plant!