Letter Before Action Letter - Home Insurance

Lovethyneighbour

Hello,
My young family and I would be forever grateful if there is anyone in the know that could offer some advice.
I have had a letter before claim come through from from a large national law firm.
They are asking for 20k due to my 'negligence'. They have given no quantum to the money owed nor no evidence, just a story about what I supposedly did.
I will get this out of the way, I was deployed with the British Army at the time of the claim and like the biggest idiot ever, my insurance lapsed and I am basically not covered for the period in question.
Obviously this is giving us a substantial panic as we simply do not have this money.
I supposedly removed a retaining wall, which according to the letter, my neighbour built on what is now my land to stop damp. This wall was behind a raised flowerbed. I removed the flowerbed and lowered the level of the garden (receipt for 34 tonnes of soil removal). Then I had turf put down in place of flowerbed at a much lower level. This wall in question was none existent, and if it was, it had been filled up with debris over the years. I have definitely lowered the level substantially. The new layout has supposedly caused water ingress into next door. I wasn't made aware until neighbours said I have claimed on my insurance, quite happy that they were going to get a new kitchen out of it. They then apportioned blame a few weeks later when they realised that they would have to contribute to the new kitchen.
Anyway, 6 months later letter from their insurance's lawfirm. They are trying to get their costs back.
Neighbours have in my opinion done this for financial gain - new kitchen and then they put the house for sale month after with the headline 'new kitchen / recently renovated'.
Thing is, I can no longer inspect the alleged damage - new kitchen, new boiler / plumbing (as per sales brochure), no proof there were adequate ventilation in kitchen or that they were carrying out ill practices (drying clothes indoors etc), no proof 1890s damp proof is still functioning (kitchen redesigned).
This wall where the alleged damage occurred is littered with failed deep mortar joints, and the extension, which was build without planning permission is of really poor construction. It is obvious that it hasn't been maintained.
Panicking, I wrote back denying the claim and asking them to quantify the costs and offer proof, without any legal jargon. I am awaiting a reply,
I cant afford the £250 an hour solicitor, my job in the army doesn't allow for legal aid, so I am basically eating myself alive with worry.
Thanks in advance.

sourcrates

Hi,

Can't help with your query unfortunately, I think it's legal advice you need to take on this, especially as a claim has been issued, st timescales apply, you do realise that yes ?

Have you acknowledged service online yet ?

If not do so, that gives you I believe 28 days in total to respond.

In the meantime, ask on here :

http://legalbeagles.info

They are more geared up for things of a legal nature.

Good luck.

Lovethyneighbour

Thank you for the link.
It is not a claim yet through the courts, just the formal warning to pay up otherwise they will take me to court. I have asked for further information I.e. evidence as they have yet to provide me with any.