Shared chimney unsafe, neighbours being rude and unhelpful

Legacy_user

I hope someone can offer me some advice, sorry for long post.
We are in a 1930 semi, our next door neighbours are 2 elderly sisters, for whom the word 'cantankerous' may have been invented. One is worse than the other.
The property has a shared chimney stack of 4 pots, 2 are ours, 2 are next doors. We have previously carried out small repairs including recapping pots at our own expense.
Over the last few months, we have had water coming through the ceiling and after some investigation, traced it finally to a hole in the chimney on our side.
The inspection showed that the chimney rendering is in very poor condition.
I spoke to one of my neighbours about this, informing them that their side was also in very poor condition and that we were going to have repairs done. I offered to have the job done jointly as this would save money in the long run.
She sais she would discuss it with her sister, but I have had no further word from them.
That was fine as I had said they didn't have to get their side done, but we would definitely be going ahead with having our side repaired.
I have had a builder out to begin work, but unfortunately, the deterioration is worse than expected. The mortar is perishing and the bricks under the render are moving. There are plants growing inside the chimney!
Builder's opinion is that the stack is now unsafe and I have been advised to get back onto my insurer.
Best options are remove or re-build.
The problem is that one of my neighbours has been abusive and threatened the builder, then accused us of stealing the chimney pot.
Considering that this is 2 old ladies, we have had to endure this sort of cheek and verbal abuse every time we have tried to do any maintainence / improvement to our house.
We have never been rude in return and have always maintained a cool civility towards them.

Where do I stand if they refuse to get any work done? We could possibly get a casing made but it would encroach on their half of the chimney and they are adamant that builder is not to touch anything, nor would it solve the real problem of water ingress and a destabilised structure.
We are in Scotland, if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance for the advice
L x
I had posted on a similar thread but thought that I would be better starting my own.

imho

Sorry i cant help you but i would get builder to take lots of pictures incase the 2 women next door say he has damaged their chimneys.

Hintza

Surely in the meantime it is best to get your side to level that will stop the leaks then explore the options to go forward.

What do your title deeds say re communal repairs (possibly nothing) but that is the place to start.

Your insurance won't be interested since it is a maintenance issue.

Brenny

If it's a dangerous structure get in touch with Building Control at your local council and get their advice.

System

Hi peeps,
Thanks for advice so far.
I can't find anything on the deeds regards communal repairs, could this be because this was originally a council estate?
We have photographic proof that we didn't steal the chimney pots (there were none in situ when we bought the house)
I have heard nothing from the neighbours except their very loud telly, I considered trying to approach them again but I am not really in the mood to be insulted and shouted down.
My own good manners will prevent me from retaliating,so I am contacting insurers and possibly a surveyor later today to try and get something started.
Unhappy dot com :-(

southcoastrgi

Get BC out as already advised & show them a copy of the builders report they won't take any crap from your neighbours

System

I will be in touch with them today too, thanks for reminding me :-)