Neighbour Damaged Partywall

bretts

Hi

My neighbour is making an extension DIY, although our houses are semi detached, halfway down the house there is a utility room, the walls of that are joint. He was doing some digging when that wall on his side collapsed partly, causing a major crack in my wall too. I spoke with him a week ago and he said he will fix it but all he said was he will fill the cracks up. Will just filling the crack make the wall stable enough. It is a major crack on the inside and outside so the wall has definitely moved completely.
Please advise if he is just trying to do a patch up job or should I call my insurers or council to have a look when buildings control comes up to do inspection on his property.

phoenix_w

I wouldn't even have taken the time to post the question online - you need to get it looked at ASAP. Whether you call a surveyor yourself or call your insurer to appoint someone to look at it. The wall is load bearing so get someone on it pronto.

Aylesbury_Duck

No one here can advise on the level of damage or the required repair. You need to get a professional to inspect your wall and determine what damage has occurred and what should be done to remedy it. Don't let your neighbour attempt to fix it or even touch your wall until you have had it professionally inspected.

Ozzuk

What does it say in your party wall agreement?

bretts

Hi

Thanks everyone for the reply, fortunately it is not a load bearing wall, it is just on the side of the house single brick wall with a door on it but I do not want just a botch job, he has agreed to repair it but I dont think what he is saying is really correct way of repairing it and neither do I think he was right is digging over there as he even ripped out the fence and post which he himself says belongs to me and is my resposibility to fix, although I must admit they were damaged but they were still there.

bretts

Ozzuk wrote: »

What does it say in your party wall agreement?

There was no party wall agreement as we are both on semis and there is a gap between my property and his about 4 meter wide which half belongs to him and half to me.

Dan-Dan

bretts wrote: »

There was no party wall agreement as we are both on semis and there is a gap between my property and his about 4 meter wide which half belongs to him and half to me.

So well within the 3 meters guidelines?

You have titled the thread with the term party wall but seem to think an agreement was not required?

bretts

I am sorry, It is not a structural wall for him or me, it is just a lean to, to the side of the main house, but there was no party wall agreement.

Cisco001

Probably worth calling insurer and ask for advice...

TheCyclingProgrammer

Call your insurer. Don't let him touch the wall. Also ask him how he is going to reimburse you for your fence that he has removed without your permission (from the sounds of things) - assuming it was definitely your fence anyway. The fact it was not in the best state of repair is irrelevant.

stator

It sounds like he should have given you notice under the party wall act.

You might consider getting an injunction to stop his work. You would need a party wall competant solicitor. If his works meet the requirements of the party wall act you can appoint a party wall surveyor and he has to pay for it.

Alternatively call the council's building control and tell them your concerns about his work. They may come and shut down the project for you.

Regarding the existing damage you can either
1) Claim on your insurance and let them reclaim their costs from your neighbour.
2) Sue your neighbour for damages. This would avoid making a claim but will require a solicitor.