Buying a house but shared flat roof needs repair

Dontknowwhattodo

I'm in the process of buying a house, I have had an home buyers survey done and it came back that the out building (my heating boiler is in this building) will need the flat roof repairing/replacing but it is a shared flat roof with the next door neighbour who I obviously don't know, what happens if they can't or won't pay for half of the repair.
I'm a bit worried as I don't want any legal battles.

mrginge

A flat roof (of any substantial size) is bad enough, a shared one is worse.
Are there any legal agreements between the houses in place to cover such repairs?

You may find you have a perfectly amenable neighbour who is happy to cooperate. They might then move away and the next lot might not be.

Dontknowwhattodo

I don't know, the house I am buying is an ex council house, I don't even know if they own their property, I wondered if there was a set procedure you had to go through, I have sent my solicitor a copy of the home buyers report hopefully I will get some answers from the sellers solicitors.

bris

Outbuildings don't usually have to be maintained so you might be on your own with this one. You will need to check what the deeds say about this building.

Dontknowwhattodo

If I got my half fixed and and some how split from their half could they sue me if their part starts leaking

G_M

1) what does "will need the flat roof repairing/replacing" mean? Water is pouring through? It drips? Noleaks but nearing the end of its life? This year? In 5 years? Speak to the surveyor!

2) If it's an ex council house, do the council still have ongoing repairing responsibilities? Some do.

3) Have you spoken to the neighbours? why not? They will be your neighbours irrespective of this issue!

4) A flat roofs on outbuilding is unlikely to be hugely expensive (in worst case you have to pay yourself) An outbuilding won't need the best quality felt, and I assume it's not a huge area.

5) See the Party Wall Act.

6) Yes, if you just do your half, and as result the neighbour gets a leak, you will be responsible. But as you will have complied with the PWA the (2?) surveyors will ensure it does not leak!

Dontknowwhattodo

I have not spoken to the neighbours yet as I don't want our first meeting to be about me asking them for money.

This is what came back on the home buyers report

There is a detached brick outbuilding to the right. The outbuilding is shared between the subject property and the neighbouring property to the right. The front section appears to belong to the neighbouring property and the rear section appears to be long the subject property.
The outbuilding is constructed with single skin brick walls, which are prone to dampness. The floor is solid concrete and the concrete roof is flat and felted.
Flat roofs have a limited life and re-felting should be budgeted for. Some standing water was noted on the flat roof and there are signs of water ingress at high level internally. Re-felting is likely to be due.

Thanks

Old_Git

depending on the size I got flat roof (7ft X 7ft ) refelted for £100

G_M

Dontknowwhattodo wrote: »

I have not spoken to the neighbours yet as I don't want our first meeting to be about me asking them for money.

Who said anything about asking them for money?

Dontknowwhattodo

Thanks old git at least we're not talking 1000's of pounds, as I'm a 1st time buyer I haven't a clue.

G_M of course I will be asking them to pay money, I will asking them to pay half, the roofer won't do it for nothing. I would like to get to know the neighbours n not have issues before I even move in
Thanks