Neighbours Extension Causing Damp in my Kitchen

RhiannCJ

Hiya,
First time here so please excuse the rambling!

We had a brand new kitchen fitted Christmas 2014, the kitchen is an extension and the wall was damp proofed before the kitchen was put in!

We now have damp coming through the walls and it has rotted the cupboards, the tiles are falling off and paint is peeling off of the walls.

We have had a survey completed and it says that this damp is not caused by anything on our property, it is being caused by the neighbours extension which is a corragated roof which is alongside ours, their guttering is full of mold and rubbish, therefore the water is going straight through our kitchen wall, causing the damp!

I have phoned our insurers and they have told us that we are not covered on our policy to fix the damp, they have advised us to speak to our neighbors and ask that they claim on their insurance in the hope they will fix the problem and also replace our kitchen.

We are currently unable to keep food or salt within the kitchen as it rots within a number of days due to the state of the cupboards.

We are yet to speak to the neighbors as I have contact our local councils environmental health, and we are awaiting a call back.

I want to be as knowledgable on this subject as we really can not afford to complete the repairs ourselves and as previously mentioned we are not covered with our buildings and contents insurance.

We are paying the mortgage on our has and next door is also, usually we don't have much to do with each other but I'm hoping that will change soon as we need this done!
I am currently 5 months pregnant and we have been trying to sort this problem with the insurers for the last 6 months!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Rhiann .

System

speak to your neighbours in the first instance, it's going to have got a lot worse in the 6 months since you took it up with your insurer!
Why have you not spoken to them about it?

RhiannCJ

the_r_sole wrote: »

speak to your neighbours in the first instance, it's going to have got a lot worse in the 6 months since you took it up with your insurer!
Why have you not spoken to them about it?

We didn't really know what was happening, the insurance company was messing us around and we are young and foolish to wait for them!

At first we had to have a damp expert come in, he said it was water ingress because our roof was leaking, we had the roof looked at and everything was fine, so this was another survey we have only just had the cash to pay for

System

if it's on a wall attached to another property surely you went next door to ask if they had any damp on that wall too?

DRP

their guttering is full of mold and rubbish, therefore the water is going straight through our kitchen wall, causing the damp!

It sounds like you know what the problem might be.

I would:
1. Speak to neighbour, tell them what the survey said (above).
2. Ask them to clear the guttering.
3. If they won't help then do it yourself.
4. When it rains check that the flow in the gutter is ok (or a bucket of water).
5. Wait over the summer to see if things improve.

It may not be just a blocked gutter, as the gutter fabric may have degraded and need replacing. IT won't be particularly expensive unless there are major access problems.

RhiannCJ

No we haven't asked them if they have damp, the back of their house behind the extension is completely black where their guttering has been leaking, and their extension is all metal we think.

It's our own fault we moved in nearly two years ago, we're 24 and 25 and didn't want to cause an issue with anyone, however now it's affecting our home and we need it sorted.

I am going to have to speak to them sooner rather than later and get the issue resolved.

I am just panicking as to whether they would even consider claiming on their insurance or paying for the repairs privately. Only time will tell.

TBagpuss

If it is a blocked gutter they may be able to clear the gutter and stop the poblem immediately, insurance would then only be an issue if you want to make a claim to repair / redecorate your kitchen.

First step is talk to them and see what they say. Worst case scenario is that they do nothing and you ahve to make a more formal complaint, you have nothing to lose by speakling to them first.

DRP

in case you wish to avoid declaring any dispute when you sell in the future, you might want to consider avoiding making things formal (i.e. involving any official agency).

If they refuse to do anything (your description isn't filling me with optimism), I'd probably do it myself...

stator

Are you wanting to just clear/repair the guttering, or are you expecting them to pay for your internal repairs from the problems?

If it's the later you might end up having to sue them, their insurers would take over the case if they are covered.

RhiannCJ

Thanks for the replies!

We would like our kitchen repaired as well, this was a brand new kitchen and it's completely ruined, neither myself nor husband can afford to repair or replace it.

We are currently 5 months pregnant and need this fixed as bringing a child into a home where it's a difficulty to store food is not a healthy atmosphere.

I believe I am going to have to speak to them and hope they are cooperative! If not I fear it will be a legal route we will have to take! Fingers crossed it's not, still awaiting environmental health to contact me, I rang several times today and still nothing so will keep on tomorrow!

phil24_7

What are you expecting environmental health to do? I think a better bet is to talk to building control, but only do this once you have talked to the neighbour.

Regards
Phil